The Christian and His Finances

Money itself is moral. It's not good it's not bad, but depending on how it is used either becomes good or becomes bad so money really than it has righteous ramifications in your life or unrighteous one and thus becomes very important. Well, if you've ever thought of supporting your church is a chore to be tolerated. You need to see why giving can and should be an active joyous worship. John MacArthur begins to explain that today on grace to you as he launches a study God's plan for giving knowledge on this subject is one the churches and pastors often steer away from.

And certainly we know that the world has faced challenging economic times, particularly since the covert pandemic. But really, it is always good as Christians to be reminded that whatever our financial situation is the issue of stewardship is always relevant.

And it never ceases to be important.

You're actually right Phil pastors avoid the subject and they avoided because they think it offends people as critics say I don't go to church all the revenues asked for money to just in it for the money has sad to say, there are a lot of people in religion and even in cortical Christian religion who were in it for the money yes graduate not order your knowledge, is that as well. Yeah. False teachers do it for filthy money. That's why that the Bible says that so we get that.

But in spite of the counterfeit and by the way, that should be an indication that there is a true kind of giving what where there is a counterfeit kind of giving because people only counterfeit.

What's genuine.

But we can't back away from giving because it's been corrupted by false teachers. We have to teach the people of God. The correct way to give why because and here's the bottom line. Jesus said this, it is more blessed to give than to receive. I that that ought to be literally poured down the throat of every prosperity preacher. It is the words of Jesus. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

So how do I give, how how can I give is an act of blessing giving can and should be joyous. It is an act of worship is a path to blessing in the Bible, frankly, is very very explicit on how we are to give. That's what we title this is God's plan for giving can I have the feeling in the back of my mind.

The people are starting to turn off the dial change stations because this area go again they going to talk about money when talking about money you give us were talking about money. God gives you and what your responsibility is to be blessed by giving that look we've we've made it pretty clear for half a century will we don't want people's money were not trying to figure out ways to divest you of your money were not trying to con people and promise them something that's not legitimate if they send us their money is so many false teachers do, but we do want to tell you as we do with every other subject. In the Bible what the Bible says about your giving and how you can enjoy the blessing of being a biblical giver.

That's what this series is about you think about money every day you think about money. Many many times every day. The Bible says a lot about money. This is what God wants you to know about the money that he provides for you what you are to do with it. How you are to give it how you are invested, how you are to be blessed by it. Stay with us. Yes, giving can be one of the greatest joys in your life if you understand why God blesses you with money and how to use it for his glory. So let's get to the series now hears John to show you God's plan for giving only talk about money were talking about life money units in a sense is life for you spent all your life to get money to stay alive. So in one sense money is like money itself is moral. It's not good it's not bad, but depending on how it is used either becomes good or becomes bad so money really than it has righteous ramifications in your life or unrighteous one and thus becomes very important to consider these categories one the right to possess money to the way to regard money.

Three.

The way to use money, the right to possess money. The way to regard money and the way to use money. First of all let's begin with the right to possess money. It's interesting to me. Ende I suppose you've come across this, too, that there are some people in the world, even who call themselves Christians who say that it's wrong for a Christian Avenue money and the advocate account of a Christian communism and they usually defend Christian communism on the basis of acts chapter 2 and they say in the early church.

They had all things in common and therefore all Christians.

Upon becoming Christians to get into some kind of community thing where the give out everything to some central source and is doled out on an equal basis.

According to need in the Christian has no right to possess money. What we all see what the Bible says does the Christian have the right to possess money.

Let's look first of all, at this thought. All money belongs to God and Haggai 28 it says this, the silver and the gold are mine and God is talking about all of the nations of the world and he was talking in reference to all of these nations. And he was saying all of their silver and all of their gold is really mine, so it's all God in Deuteronomy 818.

The Bible says, but you shall remember the Lord your God. Listen, for it is he who is giving you power to make wealth. Notice two things. All money is God's. Secondly, God grants to men the power to get that which is his in terms of wealth or money in first Corinthians 47. The Bible says and what do you have that you did not receive now all money belongs to God and you can only give to somebody else. What belongs to you. If God gives it to us that it was his to begin so all money is God's. That's basic they say will then what does that have to do with me. Well, God also gives men the power to gain that money which is is so it is not assumed in the Bible that it's wrong to have money, but rather that God allows men to make money. You see, have to look at money, sort of like one of God's gifts.

All of God's gifts which he intends for man's good have been somehow perverted into evil man as a way of twisting and perverting all of God's good gifts I got also gives men the power to gain money in first Timothy 617. In a passage talking about money. That whole passage.

There's talking about it.

It says this God gives us richly all things to enjoy. So God the possessor of all monies is willing to grant some to us as we examine Scripture we find. First of all, that nowhere is money condemned and if you were to go to acts chapter 2 and I'll ask you to do that. Let me show you something. Acts 245 says this in a speaking of the early church. The church in Jerusalem just at the time of Pentecost and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Now people take this time to be a sort of Christian communism, but that's because they really don't understand the. The Greek tents. The verb sold to, and the verb parted are both in the imperfect tense. The imperfect tense is a continuous action. It should read this way and were selling their possessions and goods, and were imparting them to all men, as every man had need. It does not say that all at once they sold and all at once they parted.

It simply says that all the believers were selling their goods and giving the money to those who had need. As the needs arose. You see, it was a it was a picture of giving a picture of self-sacrifice for the need of another, not of pooling.

Everything in a kind of communism and the verbs make that in implicit web hardly any necessity for any deeper kind of exposition they were all selling and departing as man had need it simply the principle of giving, not the principle of communism.

The Bible nowhere advocates that all monies be put into a common pot doled out by some hierarchy the same thing appears in acts 434. Neither was there any among them that lacked why, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses were selling them and were bringing the prices of the things or so and laid them down at the apostles feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Not so.

The Bible does not forbid money belonging to man. In fact, the Bible says all money is God's.

And God actually desires men to gain it.

God wants to bless men with a certain amount of well known, the ghost of further there are in the Bible. Certain biblical principles.

Now watch this that are designed to increase a man's money hang onto that there are biblical principles designed to help you gain wealth and when I use wealth. I mean, as opposed to nothing.

Something as opposed to nothing. I'm not talking about being a rich man I'm just talking about the term wealth is its use biblically that is having something as opposed to nothing other are some biblical principles in order that a man might gain a measure of well you say, what are they aren't going to go through them and I'll give you three at least one grade for this work. Work Proverbs 1423 says in all labor there is profits but more talk leads only to poverty. Why that is practical in all labor there is profit, but more talk leads only to property. Proverbs 1423 God has designed that labor issue in a measure of wealth and prosperity God has given us work in order that we might gain now in second Thessalonians 310 is a very practical principle for even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he what eat, for we hear, says Paul that there are some of the walk among you, disorderly working, not at all, but are busybodies work as a practical principle. You know is a great illustration of the Old Testament of of hard work and if you can look up to an aunt here comes go to the aunt Val lazy man consider her ways and be wise, which having no guide overseer or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest, you lazy people check the ad out doesn't have any kind of employer. Just as a job gathers food in the summer stores away prepared for the winter.

Proverbs chapter 20 verse four says listen if you want plow in the cold, you won't eat at the harvest practical now.

Work is a biblical doctrine. We don't preach a lot about it, but it's a biblical doctrine. In chapter 5, verse eight, a first Timothy it says if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house he had denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever or an infidel work is designed by God to bring you profit God wants you to have money because God knows that you have to have it to exist as a second principle in the Scripture not only work to save save is a very very poignant statement in Proverbs 2120 listen.

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise. What a foolish man swallows it up your wisemen does. He sets aside some of his treasure, and some of his oil for the unexpected.

You know what the fool does. He swallows it all up. You know, the living Bible has a very good translation of that it says the wise man saves for the future.

The foolish man spends whatever he gets saved that Scripture no one good way to write to think of saving. Is this all and this is something God is really teaching me in my own life is always operate on a margin always operate on a margin.

If you don't then you're presuming on the grace of God. You see, you have to be careful that you're not presuming on God extending yourself to the place where there's no margin left and so if the crisis comes, you better presume on God to provide for your foolishness. David said keep back thy servant from what kind of sins, presumptuous sins, those kind of sins that are illustrated in Matthew chapter 4 when Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said cast yourself down and then God will have to save you. And Jesus said it is written – out not tempt the Lord thy God, don't put yourself in a situation that you've gotten into by your foolishness in the demand that God extricate you. That's presumption that sin so operate in a margin I just as a hypothetical illustration. Imagine a couple in a nothing of any couple just did in generalist as an illustration a couple. It did not read on a margin and a so many couples did they follow the Great American Way. You know the Great American Way is it's this you bind the things you don't need with the money you don't have from the people you don't even like, and so they get themselves in a situation where they are overextended they have more obligations than they do income and let's say along the way they've taken under their wing. The support of the local church and some perhaps some friends of gone to the mission field. What happens pretty soon they find they can't meet that missionaries need. Pretty soon they can't give to the local ministry what God has designed in their own life for them to give. And then maybe they get to the place where they face bankruptcy. The loss of the car. The loss of the house.

The loss of the job and the loss of the testimony, and now they are limited as to what they can do for God because they are having to pay for their foolishness with every dime they get. If God ever came to them and call them away to some mission field. They couldn't go they couldn't go. God wants every Christian have money.

Listen to this. In fact he wants you to have more money than you need as you hear that, because God's principle in Scripture is spend some and what save God wants you to have more money than you need support clinic in the third principle Scripture work save three plan plan, you know some people plan their their budget like this all well it will all work out in the end only be by plan well. Plan may mean for you a budget may be more sophisticated or less sophisticated but I'll tell you one thing.

Planning means. It means a priority list doesn't planning. Keep records so you know where you are you to lose money or handle was money. Scott's money saved all that I give him his money, his tent now wait a minute, wait a minute 10th of that money you have is in his.

I don't believe in tithing so that is totally irrelevant. How much of this is all of it is is a reward you get this idea by keeping records. Listen to this. Proverbs 2723 and 24 done by the look up just listen.

Proverbs 2723 and 24.

Write it down if needed.

Know well the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds, for riches are not forever. Boy is that good advice you want to know how many flocks you have. You want to know what condition therein because your money not to last forever and you know where you are at all times was an assessment. Proverbs 24, three and four, Proverbs 24, three and four and this is again the living Bible, which normally I don't prefer. But in this case has a very accurate paraphrase any enterprise is built by wise planning becomes strong through common sense and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts as Proverbs 24, three, and for any successful venture is one where you keep abreast of the facts.

That's basic so you not only work but you save and then you plan in addition to this, let me give you couple passages. Romans 13 80.

No man what anything but to love one another. The only debt you got have his love just you can ever unload that would just keep pay and pay and pay and love just don't get in any other debt owe no man anything you know what happens when you owe somebody something, talking about when you're making your payment on your house and your making it faithfully and I'm talking about when you're overdue when you're owing money when you can't pay it when you're overextended. Listen to this. Proverbs 22 verse seven, the borrower is servant to the lender did hear that you become the slave of that man to whom you owe something and I'll tell you something when you become the slave to some financial situation. You violate a biblical principle. Listen to it first 20 and 723 you are bought with a price. Be not ye the servants or slaves of men. A Christian should always be free enough to respond to whatever God wants them to do it any moment you know what we need to have in this world is a good phrase when you have a Pilgrim mentality Pilgrim mentality will go to some of the principles are very interesting one other one in Scripture that appears in just really interest me is don't become a loan company info if you got well. There are some except if you got some guy who just bugged you the death he bothers you incessantly, you know, the best thing to get rid of them loan them money. You'll probably never see him again and in some cases, you may figure it's worth the investment is able. What about if a person comes to me and says I have I have need here. I want some money because I want to get that you say will that's not a necessity if it's not a necessity don't want to disable what if he comes Johnny says it is a necessity that don't want it to them either give it to give it, if any man sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion, love of Christ is all he claims it is right sure. First John if he needs it. Give to you. Another interesting statement. Did you know this is in Proverbs 1718.

I ready for this is poor judgment to countersign another's note that's pretty practical to become responsible for his debts.

While the Bible says a lot more about it. Let's go on the Scripture then says that there are three principles by which God is designed to make money work, save and plan carefully and isn't it exciting that all of those things imply that God really does want us to have a certain amount not just the bare necessities, but a little margin so that we can just be sensitive to the spirit. When the spirit said hey John there's a need over there, we can say good because I got this margin I can take and I can supply that need or that's being free to be responsive to the spirit is so John, I'm glad to know that I have the right to possess money that is wonderful.

But I am always short. I'm so glad God wants me to have it but he doesn't really understand my situation because I never have listened when you have an unlimited little test one. Do you need more need not want need more meat. Is it a need second question is God testing my face. Third question, did I already miss use what he gave me was a practical one fourth question have I violated biblical principles say what we mean violated biblical principles will listen. If God gives you a certain amount of money and he knows that's enough for all your needs and a margin and he does know that doesn't and you don't have enough, then maybe you violated the look of principles you say such as one is a buildable principal, you may violated stinginess.

Proverbs 1124 there is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due and it results only and want. Or maybe you violated the principle of tastiness. You got a big hurry way to some people get get all excited and all energetic and they got a C, but you know it. Proverbs 21 fives is about tastiness. Everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty boy at straight talk. Everyone who is hasty come surely to poverty. Be patient and you can claim a wonderful promise.

Philippians 419, but my God shall supply all our needs to just be patient is another will not stinginess tastiness. Here's another when you may violated stubbornness you are just going to go out and do what you want with your money.

Proverbs 13 it is a verse that's very very good says this poverty and shame will come to him who neglects instruction, poverty and shame will come to him when neglects instruction or the word discipline stubbornness is another word. Laziness maybe you don't have any money because you are lazy and you're not earning enough say where is that in the Bible. Lots of place going to be one Proverbs 2013 do not love sleep listen to the neck statement last you become poor. Open your eyes and you will be satisfied with food get out. That's half the battle. You know there's a great statement in Proverbs 2321 you know what it says it says drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. Drowsiness will clothe a man with rags on maybe you violated the principle of laziness is another when indulgence if you don't have enough money. Maybe you've been indulgent. Proverbs 2321 says for the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty. The heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty.

The last another biblical principle that can be destructive. His craftiness Proverbs 28. 19 he who tills his land will have plenty of food, hard-working people do well, but he who follows empty pursuits. Hello, he abides a pig in a poke or he'll pulls off some shady deal will have poverty in plenty of faithful, trustworthy man will abound with blessings hired a man say the other day that most conmen he felt if they were honest, would make 10 times more than they make being dishonest because they're sharp listen God wants you to have money you want you to have enough to live and have all your needs and he wants to give you more than that. So you have a margin to be available to the Holy Spirit is not exciting and if you don't have enough the need to backtrack and find out what's wrong you have violated a scriptural principle or maybe you've already miss use what God gave you. Or maybe the facts are. You don't even need it all is just something you want or maybe God is bringing you through a time of tightness to test your thing. This is grace to you with John MacArthur. Thanks for being with us. Today's lesson was the first installment of John series God's plan for giving and is a look at how the Lord wants you to think about money and how to glorify him with it. Well, considering how much the Bible has to say about money and giving this series is one you're going to want to review again and is available on CD or you can download the audio in the transcript for free at our website.

Contact us today to order the six CD album call toll-free 855 grace or go to GT Y.org again the website is where you'll find the MP3s at the transcript and they are available free of charge. Look for the series titled God's plan for giving as well as any of John's 3500 sermons. All of them are available to download for free@gty.org. Also, let me encourage you to send us your feedback.

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Our email address is letters@gty.org that's letters that GT Y.org or you can reach us by regular mail and that addresses box 4000 panorama city, CA 91412, and to keep up-to-date with what's ahead on our radio and TV broadcasts follow us on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram and check out our YouTube channel as well. Now for John MacArthur. I'm Phil Johnson, thanks for starting your week off with Grace to you and make sure you're here tomorrow when John shows you the most important truth you need to remember about money. It's another 30 minutes of unleashing God's truth one verse at a time on Tuesdays. Grace