CHAPTER 11
Money: A Biblical Point of View
"The problem with money is that it makes you do things you don't want to
do." Wall Street, the movie
The Problem
- How would you rate your Biblical I.Q. on money?
- By winking at the Scriptures we don't like and cherry picking the
ones we do, we create our own little theology about God and money.
- One cannot serve both God and money; you are either a slave to
God or to money.
The Power of Money
Money is not just a temptation for a moment of carnal pleasure; it is
the temptation for us to be conquered by an inert, mindless master, one
incapable of saving us from sin or satisfying the deep hunger of our
soul for true peace, meaning, and purpose.
The Test of a Man's True Character
- No test of a man's true character is more conclusive than how he
spends his time and money.
- If you really want to know what is important to you, get out your
calendar and checkbook.
Is It Money or Me?
- What is money? Money is simply a commodity, a medium of exchange.
Money, by itself, is uncomplicated.
- The problem is with men. God knew how much we would struggle with
it -- that it would be His main competition for our affections.
Three Perspectives of Money
- Poverty Theology. The disciple of poverty theology believes
possessions are a curse and has rejected materialism in every form. The
person who thinks one must be poor to be humble is mistaken.
- Prosperity Theology. The disciple of Prosperity theology believes
that you have not because you ask not. The theory is that one can
create a binding transaction on God in which He is obligated to bless
you. Many adherents to this approach live consumptive lifestyles.
- Stewardship Theology. The disciple of stewardship theology
believes that God owns and controls everything. Possessions are a
privilege not a right. Being a steward is more of an attitude, a way of
looking at life as a caretaker.
Poverty theology exaggerates the role of sacrificial work, while
prosperity theology overemphasizes the pursuit of financial rewards.
The steward leads a balanced life, enjoying God's abundance while
serving others in love.
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