Listen to President Tim Russell and Pastor Drew Gysi explore this topic here.

 

The entirety of Scripture is the Words of God. As we look at what Jesus has said about money, we must heed ALL of what he says. We recommend studying your Bible so you can learn about what we don’t have time to cover in this article. But here are 6 commands from Jesus about money:

  1. Pay your taxes

  • Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”  (Mark 12:17, NIV84)
  • There are over 100 references in the Word of God pertaining to tax collectors and/or taxes…and just over 50 of them are in the Gospels!
  • Jesus is not rebuking the government and the need to provide for its services through taxation. In fact, He is making it clear that this is something that we as Believers ought to participate in.
  • Jesus himself paid taxes.
    • “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (Matthew 17:27, NIV84)
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – I don’t know about you, but looking at what Jesus spoke pertaining to taxes, and then bring in what Paul said…it is a very good reminder for the believer to pay their taxes…and even, as best as we can, honor those that God has put in place to serve society.  For remember:
    • He (God) changes times and seasons; He (God) sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21, NIV84)
    • Brothers and sisters listening…Just a loving reminder…GOD IS IN CONTROL!

 

  1. Support Ministry

  • After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ (Luke 10:1–9, NIV84)
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – We must be intentional about setting aside funds to support the ministries of the gospel. Consider setting up systematic giving on a monthly basis.

 

  1. Count the cost BEFOREHAND (Be wise with your money – budget it!)

  • “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” (Luke 14:28–30, NIV84)
  • Jesus here is speaking in terms discipleship…for that is the context of this passage. Yet, in this topic of discipleship, Jesus uses a great practical illustration from the personal finance teaching.
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – Stewardship requires forward thinking (cost counting). God invented math. Don’t violate his principle in a hope or a wish that it will all work out.

 

  1. Invest for eternal purposes!

  • “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19–20, NIV84)
  • Taking our earthly resources that are above and beyond what we need to take care of ourselves and  our families and investing it in people, programs and ministries that help people come to know and grow in Christ!
  • Your heart or passion follows your money. If you want a greater heart for missions, Give! Remember that giving is one of the means that God has ordained to break the power of money in our lives.
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – We should have an investment mentality when giving. Our investment in the kingdom, by God’s grace, will have an eternal return on investment.

 

  1. Use your wealth for personal evangelism with friends

  • “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:9, NIV84)
  • What is inescapably clear here is that our wealth and possessions are to be used to win eternal friends. This is the proper use of what we have. We must give generously of our money for the furtherance of the gospel. If we are not doing so, we are not making proper use of what God has given us and we are not enhancing eternal friendships. This is an intensely spiritual matter (Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth).
  • We must also use our possessions to gain eternal friends. It is not enough to give money—we must devote our personal belongings to making eternal friends as well. The mere giving of money can be so sanitized and insulating, but when we use our homes for others, so that our personal space is loaned to others, when we use our vacation homes to refresh others, or let others borrow our cars, then we have begun to touch upon what Christ says (Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth).
  • One thing is sure: our worldly wealth will go somewhere—we cannot hang on to it. One day our most precious things will fit in a hospital drawer. The only wealth that will endure is that which has been invested in others for the sake of Christ and his gospel (Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth).
  • Is our use of our money bringing us closer to God? Have we used our wealth and possessions to gain eternal friends?
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – Set aside money in your budget to invite folks from your neighborhood or church (who you dont know very well) over for a meal. Consider ordering in (pizza or something) so that you can spend your time in fellowship rather than serving.

 

  1. You will reap more than what you sow!

  • “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, NIV84)
  • This passage refers to judgment. He states that ‘just as God will give a suitable reward to the merciful (vv.32-36) and in v. 38, those who are generous materially (and in their estimation of others) will be ABUNDANTLY repaid,” and I add to this, their repayment is due to their generosity and obedience!
  • STEWARDSHIP TAKEAWAY – We do not give to get. God promises to bless faithful, sacrificial giving. How can you increase your giving this year?

 

 

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The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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