When Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it’s not just because wealth might be lost; it’s because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions… Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect our investment strategy… According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn’t simply wrong. It’s just plain stupid.
The Treasure Principle, 2002, p. 13-14, Used by Permission from Eternal Perspective Ministries, www.epm.org. Get this book!
God comes right out and tells us why He gives us more money than we need. It’s not so we can find more ways to spend it. It’s not so we can indulge ourselves and spoil our children. It’s not so we can insulate ourselves from needing God’s provision. It’s so we can give – generously. When God provides more money, we often think, This is a blessing. Well, yes, but it would be just as scriptural to think, This is a test.
The Treasure Principle, 2002, p. 73, Used by Permission from Eternal Perspective Ministries, www.epm.org. Get this book!
It’s increasingly common for Christians to ask one another the tough questions: How is your marriage? Have you been spending time in the Word? How are you doing in terms of sexual purity? Have you been sharing your faith? But how often do we ask, “How much are you giving to the Lord?” or “Have you been robbing God?” or “Are you winning the battle against materialism?”
The Treasure Principle, 2002, p. 81, Used by Permission from Eternal Perspective Ministries, www.epm.org. Get this book!
Hold material goods and wealth on a flat palm and not in a clenched fist.
Made For His Pleasure, Moody Press, 1996, p. 139. Get this book!
Statistics reveal that most Christians in America do not include God in their budgets… Sadly, God often gets what is leftover, if anything.
The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz, Copyright 1995, p. 194-195, Gospel Light/Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by Permission. Get this book!
When a world is perishing, and immortal souls are sinking daily in crowds to perdition, a Christian should look, with grudging eye, on almost every dollar he spends in luxury!
A man’s treatment of money is the most decisive test of his character – how he makes it and how he spends it.
The question then is how can we, as believers, worship God with our financial resources while at the same time rejecting temptations that lead to idolatry and covetousness? The answer is found in giving to the Lord and His purposes. When we give our money to the work of the gospel, we not only demonstrate our heartfelt love for God (2 Cor. 9:7), we also store up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:16-24) (Jonathan Rourke).
Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong, Grace Community Church, 2009, p. 142.
While wealth cannot make people spiritual, it can reveal their spiritual priorities (Jonathan Rourke).
Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong, Grace Community Church, 2009, p. 134.
Are you awake and free from the false messages of American merchandising? Or has the omnipresent economic lie deceived you so that the only sin you can imagine in relation to money is stealing?
Desiring God, 1996, p. 164, Used by Permission, www.desiringGod.org. Get this book!
The issue is not how much a person makes. Big industry and big salaries are a fact of our times, and they are not necessarily evil. The evil is in being deceived into thinking a $100,000 salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 lifestyle. God has made us to be conduits of his grace. The danger is in thinking the conduit should be lined with gold. It shouldn’t. Copper will do.
Desiring God, 1996, p. 172, Used by Permission, www.desiringGod.org. Get this book!
According to Jesus, our money does not just reflect our hearts; our hearts follow our money. One of the most effective ways to fuel affection for God is to give your resources in obedience to God.
Taken from Follow Me by David Platt. Copyright © 2013 by David Platt. Used by permission. Website: Radical.net. Page 148.
One way to be diligent in your financial planning is to evaluate all spending decisions by asking the following Scriptural questions:
1. Do I have any doubt about purchasing the item (Rom. 14:23)?
2. Have I given God an opportunity to supply it (Psm. 37:4; Pr. 10:3)?
3. Will it aid or hinder my spiritual growth (1 Cor. 6:12)?
4. Does it put me in debt (Pr. 22:7)?
5. Is it a good investment (Pr. 20:14)?
6. Is it meaningful for my family (1 Tim. 5:8)?
7. Why do I want it (1 Tim. 6:9)?
8. Do I really need it?
Copied from: Pastor Driven Stewardship: 10 Steps to Lead Your Church to Biblical Giving by Rod Rogers, © 2006, p. 196. Used by permission of Rod Rogers – www.DynamicGiving.com. All rights reserved.
People are funny; they spend money they don’t have to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like.
The world wants God’s money. Advertising tells us that. We also have the same desire everyone else does – the Bible calls this desire the flesh – to spend money selfishly. And the Devil would have us waste money because he is our enemy and the Enemy of God’s Kingdom, and he wants to ruin our life and the work of God. But God tells us how to manage His money in ways that will ultimately benefit us most and bring us greater joy than using our money our way.
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 1991, p. 154, Used by permission of NavPress – www.navpress.com. All rights reserved. For more information please see the website www.BibicalSpirituality.org. Get this book!
