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Friends Of Money A Biblical Look At Finances Kelly P. Gallagher FOREWORD Our modern church has taught us that money is our right, money is our friend and we should not be shy about making as much money as we can and spending as much as we can on ourselves. Many believe that a ministry or a person is not truly blessed by God if they have modest finances and look upon the well funded ministries on television as “blessed” by God. Many of the “faith” teachers are now saying that Jesus was a rich man, the apostles were all rich men and therefore we also should be rich, live rich and enjoy the best homes, clothes, cars, jewelry because we are “King’s kids”. What does the Bible have to say about money. The topic of money is dealt with many times in the Bible. Jesus Christ Himself directly spoke about money and our use of this many times. Adam Smith in his book, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” asks the question, “To what purpose is all the toil and bustle of this world? What is the end of avarice and ambition, of the pursuit of wealth, of power, and preeminence? 1 Jesus had a similar sentiment, but not a question; rather, He had an authoritative statement: “Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth in the abundance of the things he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15). Jesus was telling us that the covetous love of money could sneak up upon us and ruin us. One way He was telling us to beware of this deception is to realize that money is not what life is all about. He later says that money is not even real and that if God cannot trust us to not have our hearts go after money and possessions, how will God trust us with the true riches? We have all heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you”. Missionary Jim Elliott, who was killed by the Auca Indians in South America said it better; “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jesus said that we would be more happy if we are givers than receivers, and we all know how joyful it is to receive a gift. Sadly, because of the root of selfishness in the lives of many, even many who consider themselves “born-again” Christians, the thought of being a giver beyond the 10% tithe is anathema to them. Most give less, much less than this. Statistically, the church gives approximately 2% according to polls this author has heard about. In this book, we will explore together the revealed will of God concerning finances and endeavor to take a balanced, biblical view on stewardship in the kingdom of God. Mine and your eternal destinies are at stake, I believe, on how we treat this important subject. May God bless you as you continue to study His word. 1. The Money Game, Adam Smith, p. 12, 1967 Random House, Inc., New York.
BEING A STEWARD OF GOD We hear this word, stewardship, spoken of from time to time in church pulpits, but what does stewardship mean? Webster's 1828 dictionary says this: 1. A man employed in great families to manage the domestic concerns, superintend the other servants, collect the rents or income, keep the accounts, &c. See Genesis 15:2 and 43:19. Therefore a steward is one who rules other servants and collects income for the Master. Paul says that we who believe are “stewards of the mysteries of God.” We manage God’s mysteries and dispense them to whoever we choose. We collect the “income” for God, which is lost souls being saved and men and women being nurtured and grown up in the faith by our faithful teaching and preaching the Word of God. Other “income” is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of those we influence. Still other “fruit” is the praise and glory that goes to God through our generosity and service to others. The New Testament is replete with references to being a steward of God. One in particular we need to look at; the unjust steward of Luke, chapter 16. (Luk 16:1) And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. (Luk 16:2) And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (Luk 16:3) Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. (Luk 16:4) I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. (Luk 16:5) So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? (Luk 16:6) And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. (Luk 16:7) Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. (Luk 16:8) And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (Luk 16:9) And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Luk 16:10) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (Luk 16:11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? In this parable of the unjust steward, Jesus said something very profound. I have had friends comment that they have never understood this parable, or ever heard anyone preach or teach about it. This writer, about 10 years ago, memorized Luke 16:9 in the King James Version, because the old English was gibberish to me. I simply memorized it and let the Holy Spirit teach me what it means. After looking at the Greek much later, what I was taught was indeed the literal meaning here. Make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. Mammon is the Greek word “mammonas” – avarice deified, figuratively wealth. Money of this world is such a god to people; greed being a sin that damns the soul. Yet Jesus, in this parable, is telling those who are God’s children to use this filthy lucre, this instrument of soul-destruction for many men and women, to “buy” friends in heaven. The Greek word for “unrighteousness” is adikia – moral wrongfulness in character. The Greek for “fail” is ekleipo – to omit or to cease, to die. The meaning is that we can use this evil money, which does not belong to us (vs 10) to make friends in heaven, who will receive us in heaven. They will literally take us into their homes and provide free rent forever. Since everyone who goes to heaven does not need money, these “friends”, i.e. the souls we helped to hear the gospel by financing missionaries to go to the uttermost ends of the earth, will owe us an eternal amount of gratitude. In addition, God himself will give us an eternal weight of glory. (Dan 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. This writer believes that this eternal weight of glory is for winning souls and pursuing wisdom and character through the Holy Spirit and through wisdom gleaned from disciplined study of the Word of God and apprehension of the mind of Christ.
THE POWER OF FULL COMMITMENT Jesus stood by the treasury and watched how people gave their money. We would suppose that the Son of God would be more interested in the praise and worship section of the temple, or perhaps some other area of temple business, but He chose to observe the way people gave their money instead. (Mar 12:41) And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (Mar 12:42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (Mar 12:43) And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: (Mar 12:44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Jesus did not notice the gifts of the rich, even though the cast in “much”. What He did notice is the full commitment of the poor widow. The amount was not important, it was the heart of the giver. She demonstrated great love for God as well as great faith because she was giving that which she was to live on. She gave of her want, her poverty. Many times in scripture, only the poor gave. Look at the record of the Macedonians. (2Co 8:1) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2Co 8:2) How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. (2Co 8:3) For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; God takes notice of those who give cheerfully and willingly and above that level which they can afford. Where it becomes a sacrifice. (1Ch 21:24) And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. (Pro 21:25) The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. (Pro 21:26) He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. This is the difference between the wicked man and the righteous. The wicked covet greedily and the righteous gives and does not spare, does not hold back. Covetousness destroyed Ananias and Saphira as well as Judas. David was a type of one who gave wholeheartedly to the Lord. Other examples of generosity and sacrifice abound in the scriptures. The greatest spiritual giants in the Bible were men who gave to the Lord of their treasure and their lives. Moses gave up the treasures of Egypt for spiritual riches of Christ. Abraham was free of covetousness and would not accept a shoelace of the spoil from his war with the kings so that they could not say that they made Abraham rich. (Act 10:4) And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. We see how that the alms (giving to the poor) and the prayers of this man, Cornelius got God’s attention. The woman who gave two mites also got God’s attention through His Son, Jesus. The amount she gave was not the matter, it was her heart. She gave sacrificially, generously and without fanfare. Those who give money and allow themselves to be praised by men, have their reward. Jesus taught us to give in secret, that our reward my come from God, not man. John the Baptist was another great man of the Bible who gave his whole life to God’s service. He lived in the wilderness and ate very little food. He spent all his time seeking God and helping others to find God. Jesus called him the greatest prophet born of woman, greater than Elijah and Moses, yet he did no miracle and no visible deliverance took place through him. John the Baptist knew that the path to spiritual greatness was to decrease himself and have Jesus increase. This is the same path for us as well. Many today appear to be religious and spiritual, but their hearts are still full of selfishness. Even many who have chosen to live in poverty are still full of pride and religiosity; they do it out of a false motive. Only those who are truly dead to self and maintain this state get God’s attention. This is the heart that is perfect toward God. True love takes no thought for its own things (I Cor 13:5). Therefore, a man or woman who walks in true love will be completely unselfish and will have no regard for the desires of his own flesh, ambition or pride. He will put the souls of men in greater regard than his own soul. Paul was willing to go to hell himself to save his countrymen; this is a man who has died to self. Yet Paul himself said that this death was daily. The wealth of gaining victory over the self-live is greater than the whole world. Jesus said that one soul was worth the entire world, yet few find it in their hearts to either be a soul-winning missionary or even support those who do. As a group, the church has diverted millions and billions of dollars that could have supported missionary enterprises and built buildings of brick and steel for their own comfort and pride. God help us to gain victory in this area. The teaching that we must die to self will always be unpopular; but it is the path to spiritual greatness.
THE PRICE OF GREED AND SELFISHNESS Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of greed and selfishness causing spiritual destruction as well as other kinds of destruction in the lives of those given to it. We talked about Judas and Annanias/Saphira. There is also the story of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha. Here was a man who could have taken the mantle and ministry of Elisha, who took the mantle of Elijah. How many potentially great men of God have been derailed spiritually because of covetousness and selfishness? (2Ki 5:25) But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. (2Ki 5:26) And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? (2Ki 5:27) The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. Leprosy is a symbol of sin. Because of the leprosy, Gehazi was cast out of the covenant community of God. This was just ONE ACT of coveteousness, yet it cost Gehazi and enormous amount; hopefully he repented and did not lose his own soul. I don’t believe there was a remedy for his painful disease or a way to restore his ministry. Another example of covetousness destroying an otherwise great testimony was the story of Gideon. (Jdg 8:22) Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. (Jdg 8:23) And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. (Jdg 8:24) And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) (Jdg 8:27) And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. Gideon took an offering of gold from the people whom he delivered, even though he turned down their offer to rule over them. We should never charge money for being an agent of the Lord’s deliverance. We see how Abraham refused to receive a thing for being the agent of the Lord’s deliverance and that from pagan kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, much less his covenant brothers as Gideon does here. The very gold that Gideon coveted after became a snare to his house and all Israel. An ephod was the girdle of the high priest, but can mean an image of any kind. It probably was an image to a false god, since all Israel when “whoring” after it. They were whoring from God with a false god. The scribes and the Pharisees were the worst enemies of Christ, yet they were outwardly religious. The Pharisees, as was frequently objected to them by Christ, who knew their hearts, were destitute of the love of God and their neighbor, the essential principles of righteousness—they were hypocritical in their acts of worship—proud and self-righteous—harsh and uncharitable in their judgment of others— while they made the divine law void through their traditions. They paid little or no regard to inward purity or sanctity of mind, but studied by all possible means to attract the eyes of the multitude towards them, by an ostentatious solemnity of carriage, and the most specious external parade of piety and brotherly love. They were continually straining and perverting the most important precepts of the divine law; whilst at the same time, they enforced an unreserved obedience to ordinances which were of mere human institution. The Sadducees regarded all those persons as righteous, who strictly conformed themselves to the ritual observances prescribed in the law of Moses, and that did no injury to any of the Jewish nation, from whom they had received none. And as their principles forbade men to look forward to a future state of rewards and punishments, and placed the whole happiness of man in the possession of riches and in sensual gratification, they naturally tended to generate and encourage an inordinate love of money, a brutal insensibility to the calls of compassion, and a variety of other vices equally pernicious and degrading to the human mind. The Sadducees did not believe in an afterlife, therefore, riches were the reward for righteous living in their eyes. This attitude led to avarice and selfishness. Today, this attitude is in the church. We want our gold now and care for souls or the poor is quickly going out the door. In effect, we do not really believe in an afterlife. Yet Jesus, in Luke 16:9 commands us to make friends in heaven using this evil money. It is as much of a command as the command not to commit adultery, steal, lie, etc. It is also an express command of Jesus not to lay up treasures for ourselves upon earth; (Mat 6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (Mat 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Not only was it a command to not lay up treasures for ourselves (even for retirement) but it is a command to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Not for somebody else, but FOR OURSELVES. IT IS NOT WRONG TO LABOR FOR A GREAT REWARD IN HEAVEN. Every born-again Christian should use all his abilities, talents, time and treasure to ensure the greatest harvest of souls and the greatest rewards in heaven when he goes. Every Christian should labor (lawfully) to have a nation of “friends” meet him in heaven when he or she dies or is raptured. This kind of thinking is almost unheard of in our day, but was the battle cry and motivation of thousands of years of Christianity, including the apostles and our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Paul told us NOT to be conformed to this world. The world may even allow SOME giving. The worldly priest in the movie “Trading Places” says “religion is a fine thing…if taken in moderation.” Even the secular world has set the level of giving at 5%, thus the national ad campaign a few years back. The Pharisees gave 10% of all they had, even their table spices, yet they were still full of selfishness. Note the story of the rich young ruler: (Mat 19:16) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Mat 19:17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Mat 19:18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (Mat 19:19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Mat 19:20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (Mat 19:21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Mat 19:22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Mat 19:23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 19:24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mat 19:25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? (Mat 19:26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Mat 19:27) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? (Mat 19:28) And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Mat 19:29) And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. The answer to this young man was that he needed to forsake all that he had and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Almost every pastor or teacher I have heard will qualify this story with the caveat that only this man and those bound by their possessions need give all to God. However, there is a plethora of other scriptures, from the mouth of the Lord of Wisdom Himself. Jesus knew what was in the heart of man and the ease with which covetousness can arise in the heart. Look at the others times when Jesus commands full commitment of money, and not just for the rich or those bound by possessions; (Luk 14:26) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luk 14:27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luk 14:28) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luk 14:29) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, (Luk 14:30) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Luk 14:31) Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (Luk 14:32) Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. (Luk 14:33) So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luk 14:34) Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (Luk 14:35) It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luk 12:33) Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. (Luk 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Jesus gives two examples here; one is a building and another is a war. What is the price that Jesus said it would require to finish the building and win the war? TO FORSAKE ALL THAT WE HAVE. What will happen if we are only partially committed with our finances and our lives? WE WILL LOSE OUR SAVIOR AS SALT CAN LOSE ITS ABILITY TO BE A SPICE AND A PRESERVATIVE. The Greek word for “savour” is moraine which means “foolish” or tasteless. Jesus called the rich man a “fool” because he laid up food and provisions for himself for many years, but was not rich toward God. The Greek for “forsake all” is ouk apostassetai, an old Greek word to set apart as in a military camp. Once a man loses the spirit of self-sacrifice, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to get it back. God knows that we are designed to love intensely only one thing. It is either God or money, this is why He commands us through His Son to forsake all and follow Him. This was not, as some say, a temporary command for the first disciples to “get the ball rolling” so to speak for the gospel. Money and self-seeking has always destroyed devotion to God and is indeed the greatest idol that there is. (Hos 8:14) For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof. We can forsake God by building temples (churches) when we should be building the true temple of God, made without hands in the heavenlies, which consists of the souls of men, living stones for the glory of God. We cease to be disciples (which means learner) when we do not forsake all that we have for the promotion of the kingdom of God.
BUILDING THE TRUE TEMPLE OF GOD Jesus spoke of Himself being the temple of God. He challenged the Pharisees to “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” As usual, they thought that He was speaking of something physical, the actual rebuilt temple of Solomon that took many years to build. Today, most Christians make the same mistake. When you ask the average Christian what is the temple of God or the house of God, they will say the church building they attend a few times a week or as someone put it “CEO Christians - Christmas, Easter Only.” The true temple of God is not made with hands. The temple of the Old Testament was simply a type and shadow of the fulfillment in the new. At the time Jesus made this statement, He alone was the temple of God, His body. Today, we, the born-again believing Christians are the temple of God on earth. Look at the plethora of scriptural evidence for this: (1Co 3:16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1Co 3:17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (Eph 2:20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Eph 2:21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (Eph 2:22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. The prophecy that was given to David that his Son would build the temple of God had nothing to do with Solomon. It was fulfilled by Jesus who is building the true temple of God, not made with hands. Unless a Christian thinks this way, he or she will be building temples on earth made of stone, brick and wood. This can lead to apostasy, right in the middle of the prosperity of temples in the land: (Hos 8:14) For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
1. .History of the Christian Church, Volume 1, p. 121, William Jones
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