Managing money means dealing with earnings, investing, debts and loans, giving, spending, etc. All these need wisdom, and the first source of counsel should be the Word of God. In Psalm 119:24, 98-99 the Psalmist wrote, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors;” and, “Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies. . . . I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation.”

In part one we determined that money has power and influence. We need wisdom to recognize that the ownership of all our possessions is Jehovah. He created all things and He never transferred the ownership of His creation to people. As we shall see throughout this study, recognizing God’s ownership is crucial in allowing Jesus Christ to become the Lord of our money and possessions. “Heaven. . . is the LORD’s . . . the earth also, with all that therein is.” Deuteronomy 10:14. (Psalm 50:10–12). It is clear that how we handle money influences our fellowship with the Lord because possessions sometimes compete with the Lord for first place in our lives. Jesus tells us we must choose which of these two masters we want to serve.

Wisdom in earning money 

God established work when Adam and Eve were  in the Garden of Eden. Work before the fall was a blessing, not a curse. All work, even after the fall, has dignity. Before engaging in work, ask yourself: Who will I be working for? Who will I work with? Is it legal? Will it hurt others? Will God approve? Will it hurt my reputation? Reputation can have more value than money. The Bible warns us about stealing, false weights, dishonesty, extorsion, and usury. A Christian should avoid being greedy, and bribes are unacceptable in the eyes of God. It is very important that we acquire money honestly to maintain our integrity and our righteous standing with God. It is better to have less and remain a righteous person than to have a lot of money gained by dishonest means (see Proverbs 1:10–15; 29:24; 20:21; 13:11; 28:8; 15:27; 10:2; 16:8).

Work was given as a blessing and it helps to develop our character. “The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15. Work is so important to God that He gave this command to the children of Israel and He gives it to us today, “Six days thou shalt work.” Exodus 34:21. And in the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “If any would not [is not willing to] work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

There is dignity and character-building in all types of work. A job is not merely a task designed to earn money; it is also intended to produce a godly character in the life of the worker. There are many proverbs that encourage diligence and condemn laziness in our work responsibilities. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23. “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Proverbs 18:9

We must work courageously and honestly. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” Colossians 3:23. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28.  Many people may use  inappropriate ways to earn money: stealing, lying, deceiving, etc. God’s word is clear on the matter. The eighth commandment forbids this.

Read carefully and understand the following testimony, “‘Thou shalt not steal.’ Both public and private sins are included in this prohibition. The eighth commandment condemns manstealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308

“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” Leviticus 19:11. All of us have to make decisions regularly about how we handle our money. Sometimes these decisions are made more difficult because everyone around us seems to be acting dishonestly. But God’s Word is very clear that His desire for us is to be completely honest: “Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.” Proverbs 20:23

We cannot be dishonest and love God. Two of the Ten Commandments address honesty: “Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:15–16. And Jesus told us, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. It is impossible to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds if we are dishonest and then act as if He does not care. Every honest decision strengthens our faith in God and helps us grow into a closer relationship with Christ. In order to avoid dishonesty, we do not have to isolate ourselves from every dishonest person, but we should be very cautious when choosing our close friends or considering a business relationship with another (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Whatever decision we make concerning our life’s work, let us be sure we choose wisely, making sure that it is pleasing to God, and that our motives are right and pure. Then, let us be diligent in our work and not lazy. And above all—let us be sure we place our trust in God and His promises.

While we are dealing with earning money, we need to know and acknowledge the following:

  1. Money is only for this life. The Bible clearly teaches us that we shall leave this world in the same manner that we came in. We will leave it all behind at death, so why accumulate and hoard it? It will be left to another who may not use it wisely (Ecclesiastes 2:18–19). It is important to realize that money and possessions are for this life only and to be used wisely here.
  2. Some things are more important than money.
  • A man’s reputation (Proverbs 22:1)
  • One’s strong faith (1 Peter 1:7)
  • Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and receiving instructions (Proverbs 3:13–15)
  • An excellent wife (Proverbs 31:10)
  • A peaceful life even though poor (Proverbs 17:1)
  • Truthfulness (Proverbs 19.22); integrity (Proverbs 28:6); a word fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11)
  • Being prepared for the judgement (Proverbs 11:4)
  1. Money can be a tool to accomplish great good or great evil. It can become a master or a servant (Matthew 6:21, 24). Money can be an end in itself that will curse us, or as a means and proper end that pleases God and blesses man. Thus, the proper means of acquiring money is needed. Is it right to make a lot of money? Some Scripture statements seem to emphasize the contrary: “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.” Matthew 19:21. “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Luke 18:24. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” Matthew 6:19. In answer to this question, let us look at some examples of righteous people who had a lot of money but were still acceptable to God.

Abraham. His substance was great (Genesis 12:16; 13:6, etc.). Yet, he was considered a great man of faith and a friend of God.

Job. It is well known that he was wealthy and one of the greatest men of the East. But, at the same time, he was a perfect and upright man that feared God and avoided evil (Job 1:3, 8).

King David. He was rich as well. He accumulated a great amount of wealth just to build the temple in Jerusalem. Yet, he was a man after God’s own heart.

King Solomon. He was blessed by God with wealth beyond imagination for his day. The Queen of Sheba said that “the half was not told” concerning his wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10:7). At that time, Solomon was acceptable to God.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul spoke of Christians who were rich (1 Timothy 6:17). The apostle John prayed for those to whom he wrote that they would prosper in all things (3 John 2). We can conclude from the above that it is not wrong to have, or make, a lot of money.

The proper attitude regarding money is to acquire it honestly, and to use it wisely. We believe that healthy ambition, hard work, providing for one’s own, helping others in need, and planning for old age are all according to God’s will.

Then there is the question, “How much money should I make?” To answer: we should make as much as we can as long as it is not at the expense of our health, our home and family, our happiness, our honesty and integrity, or service to God. Accumulating wealth is not to be  an end in itself, allowing money to become our idol—our god! (Colossians 3:5; Matthew 6:24). We should work diligently as unto the Lord and thank Him for the increase. We then need to pray that He will give us wisdom to use any excess wisely by contributing generously to His church (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Desiring to be rich

Whatever God blesses us with, whether little or much, let us be good managers of what He entrusts into our care and use. (Luke 12:15–21). Jesus first warned of the danger of covetousness and then told a story to illustrate His point. He told about a farmer who was very successful in his work. He accumulated many goods for many years. But Jesus called him a fool because he was selfish and not rich towards God.

In Luke 16:19–31 Jesus tells about a rich man and a poor man (Lazarus). When the rich man died, he found himself in “hades” in “torment.” Why? Because he was selfish and not rich towards God. It is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven, not because he has a lot of money but because of his attitude towards money(Matthew 19:24).

The apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9–10 talks about the dangers of desiring to be rich. The dangers are real.

  1. a) They can fall into temptation and a snare. In order to become rich they often compromise truth, lose their integrity, lie, and cheat people out of their money for their benefit (Proverbs 21:6).
  2. b) They can fall into many foolish and harmful lusts. Most young people who have gone into the entertainment business have not remained faithful to the Lord. The desire for money, popularity, and all that goes with it turns them away from the Christian life (Proverbs 28:20). Not money, but “love of money” is at the root of all evil.
  3. c) They get caught up in greediness. Greed seems to carry with it the idea of an insatiable desire for more and more—never being satisfied nor content. Accumulating things cannot bring the happiness or satisfaction that is desired (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

Additional dangers are added  in verses 17–19.  They can become haughty, be lifted up with pride and arrogance or have a false sense of importance. Money has never made a man, but the love of it has destroyed many.

Wisdom about investing

If heaven is not our future home then why did the Lord tell us to “lay up treasures in heaven”? (Matthew 6:20). Also, “your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:23),  and, “your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20), or “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven”? (Colossians 1:5). The reality is that we are citizens of heaven. We are only here temporarily as stewards of the Lord, managing His goods. The apostle Paul wrote, “our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20

“Would you make your property secure? Place it in the hand that bears the nail prints of the crucifixion. Retain all in your possession, and it will be to your eternal loss. Give it to God, and from that moment it bears His inscription. It is sealed with His immutability.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 49

“We are to make investments in heavenly interests, and always work with heaven in view, laying our treasure up in the bank of heaven.” –The Signs of the Times, April 4, 1895

“Let us be honest with the Lord. All the blessings that we enjoy come from Him; and if He has entrusted us with the talent of means, that we may help to do His work, shall we hold back? Shall we say, No, Lord; my children would not be pleased, and therefore I shall venture to disobey God, burying His talent in the earth?

“There should be no delay. The cause of God demands

your assistance. We ask you, as the Lord’s stewards, to put His means into circulation, to provide facilities by which many will have the opportunity of learning what is truth.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 44–45

“The Lord has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent on the consecrated ability and the voluntary gifts and offerings of His people. While He has called men to preach the Word, He has made it the privilege of the whole church to share in the work by contributing of their means to its support.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 303

Christian investing differs from investing generally. It is a matter of avoiding all risk, and refusing to invest in the stock market. The Christian approach to investing begins with an attitude of seeking God’s glory. There are numerous advantages to saving and investing:

Providing for you and your family. The Apostle Paul wrote: “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8. There are basic physical needs for our survival on this earth: food, clothing, shelter, health, education, transportation, etc. God knows we have need of these things (Matthew 6:32) but we need to work to obtain them.

Helping to be free financially to serve the Lord. One objective of saving is to reduce our dependence on a salary to meet our daily needs. The more income our savings and investments produce, the less we are dependent on income from our job and the more time we have to serve the Lord.

More support for your ongoing business. The role is to accumulate enough capital to open and operate a business without going into debt.

To honor our parents and see that their needs are met in their later years. Jesus condemned the Jewish leaders for trying to avoid this responsibility and stated that their worship was made void by their actions (see Matthew 15:1–9).

To help the widows, orphans, and the needy. The religion that is true and pure requires us to help the needy (James 1:27; Ephesians 4:28; Galatians 6:10).

To support the work of God. There are many Scripture statements showing the necessity of supporting the work of God. (1 Corinthians 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians 9:7, etc.).

“They that will be [want to be] rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:9. The desire to become rich is self-centered and usually motivated by pride, greed, or envy. A faithful steward is Christ-centered in thoughts and attitudes. When we want to get rich, we are actually loving money more than God (Matthew 6:24).

The Apostle Paul wrote of himself,   “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11–13

Remember that your money is not yours. So, what should we do with God’s money? This is a good question, and the Bible has all the answers. It will give us the foundation from which we can, by God’s grace, correctly use the money He has given us to manage.

Spending

Self-control is needed in spending. It is listed as a part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). It is also listed as one of the virtues of the Christian life (2 Peter 1:4–8).  Self-control is synonymous with Temperance, Continent, Forbearance, Long-Suffering, Self-Denial, Discipline, Mastery, Resolution, Restraint, etc. It is to bring one’s self into control to a standard or way of acting. Self-control means that:

  • We will resist unwise spending.
  • We are watching and comparing prices before buying. This is very important to each true Christian.
  • We are determined to avoid credit as much as possible.
  • We are trying to take care of what we buy and make it last.
  • We focus on needs, not wants.
  • We will not waste or squander money (Proverbs 21:20; 18:9).
  • We will not worry over money and things (Matthew 6:25).
  • We will have financial and spiritual success (Luke 12:21), using what we have to be rich towards God.
  • We can give a good accounting to God in the day of judgment (Luke 16:2; Matthew 25:21).
  • We will bring glory and praise to the God we serve (1 Corinthians 10:31). God is not glorified by man’s foolish use of possessions.
  • It will keep us out of unwise debt.

Giving

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. Giving must be done with the attitude of love: “Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor . . . and have not charity [love], it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3. Give; “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

There are many advantages to giving. I will mention three:

It draws our heart to the Lord. Above all else, giving directs our attention and heart to Christ. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21. When you give your gift to Him, your heart will automatically be drawn closer to the Lord. We can share in the reward that Jesus promised to the faithful stewards, “enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

It brings increase for us in Heaven. When we give to the Lord, we are investing for eternity. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Matthew 6:20. Although we cannot take it with us, the Bible teaches us that we can make deposits to our heavenly account before we die.

It provides for our needs on earth as promised. Giving results in trusting God to take care of our earthly needs. He will because He promised to do so. “The liberal [generous] soul shall be made fat [shall prosper]: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:25. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

John Wesley said, “Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can`.” This does not mean give all and deprive yourself of the necessities of life. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9–10

Some guidelines

“The Lord can use most effectually those who are most sensible of their own unworthiness and inefficiency. He will teach them to exercise the courage of faith. He will make them strong by uniting their weakness to His might, wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.” –The Signs of the Times, June 23, 1881

Make a list of all your assets and  your liabilities. Hopefully, your assets are greater.

  • Make a list of all sources of income.
  • Make a list of special expenses: Giving, Taxes, Debt.
  • Make a list of living expenses.
  • Compare the income to expenses to see if you have money left over .

If you have a negative cash flow, find a way to increase your income or reduce your expenses. Do not ignore the problem—thinking God will take care of you

Learn to live within your means, buy wisely, and be frugal. Strive to be self-supporting, having enough resources in order to provide for our family. Stay out of debt as much as possible.

“You must not walk independently of all counsel. It is your duty to counsel with your brethren. This may touch your pride, but the humility of a mind taught by the Holy Spirit will listen to counsel, and will banish all self-confidence. When counsel is given that conflicts with your personal wishes, you are not to think that your own wisdom is sufficient for you to give counsel to others, or that you can afford to neglect the counsel given.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 315

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5–8

In everyday life, wisdom is using knowledge in a practical and effective way. May we wisely apply the knowledge that God has imparted to us. Amen.

Victor Shumbusho, D R Congo