We are here learning to trust in and follow Jesus. God wants his children strong, victorious and wise so He allows trials and testings into their lives. The righteous get opposed, do the unrighteous have the same spiritual opposition? Nope.
I am thinking about Jeremiah, Job, and Asaph today. Let's talk about the challenges in the area of financial matters. These guys asked about this topic and related struggles as well, and the Holy Spirit left their personal laments in Scripture so that our questions on this stuff would have a clear answer.
(It looks like I'll be teaching on this subject at Prestonwood in Plano Texas.. from James 5 in a few weeks. Been going through that practical book).
1. Envy is common in this world-system—but doesn't it kind of spring up from a spiritual amnesia of sorts?
Mr. Barna finds that nearly one in four Americans admits to wrestling with envy or jealousy, while only 4 percent operate from a consistently biblical worldview. When we forget eternity, another person’s momentary gain feels like robbery of our own joy. barna.combarna.com
“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is ‘finding his place in it,’ while really it is finding its place in him.” — C. S. Lewis
2. God lets the wicked prosper because His mercy is longer than their nice little moment.
He raised Babylon, Persia, and Egypt to move redemptive history forward, then judged them in due time. Peter reminds us that the Lord’s delay is “patience…not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Pet 3:9). Billy Graham put it bluntly: “God’s grace is greater than our greed.”
3. Their success is short-lived, but our reward is sunrise-sure!
“Fret not.. for they will soon fade like grass” (Ps 37).
"O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu’rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!" ~ Helen Howarth Lemmel
4. The love of money is a rootstock for every poisonous weed that can take over (See 1 Tim 6:10).
Let's keep Jesus on the throne so to speak, inside our hearts. Craving more and more cash only dethrones Christ, it breeds pride, it fuels injustice, and it blinds us to true treasure. John Wesley’s remedy still rings true: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
5. Generosity As The Holy Spirit Leads Us Dethrones Greed!
Only 21 percent of Christians tithe, yet 79 percent of evangelicals give something every year—evidence that when the gospel grips the heart, these believing people's hands will open (Barna).
C.H. Spurgeon urged, “Get riches by giving them away.”
Pray About It A Whole Lot. Let The Lord Lead You, Get Your Marching Orders From Him. Walking Orders Too.
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Trust—Rest in God’s timeline; He will make “your righteousness shine like the dawn.”
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Pray—Intercede for the prosperous lost; today’s rival may be tomorrow’s redeemed brother.
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Give—Fight envy with radical generosity; money is to be a servant of the believer, never a shepherd. Let the Chief Shepherd help you in that area.
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Delight—Savor Christ; “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold.”
Stay faithful in following Jesus. The wicked sprint on a sometimes nice-looking track that will soon go away; but the righteous walk with the King on a narrow path in a Kingdom that never ends.
Paul’s warning to Timothy is often mangled. He never said, “Money is the root of all evil.”
Money and musical notes -- they are neutral. They can be used for soul-winning, missionary travel, and biblical discipleship!
The lifestyle, lyrics and personal character of musicians (or spenders) can influence others for good or for evil. Think about those bands and vocalists from the 60s.
He said, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10). Money is morally neutral; affection for it is spiritually lethal.
1. The Trap Behind the Misquote
Paul’s wider context is counterfeit teachers “imagining that godliness is a means of gain” (6:5). He contrasts their greed with “godliness with contentment,” reminding us that we arrived naked and will leave the same (6:6-8). We are not here to love this world.
“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels he is finding his place in it while really it is finding its place in him.” — C. S. Lewis
2. What the Numbers Really Say:
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Tithing: Only 21 percent of U.S. Christians set their giving at 10 percent or more; and a quarter give nothing to their local church. Even among practicing Christians, a majority still falls short of a tithe. barna.com
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Generosity Gap: Barna finds just 32 percent define true generosity as “always selfless,” while 30 percent say it is driven by compassion—evidence that many hearts remain undecided about serving God or gold. barna.com
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Motivations: Half of Christians are “Givers,” motivated to bless others, yet 35 percent are “Keepers,” focused on maintaining a preferred lifestyle. barna.com
3. Love of Money Is Basically Nothing Less Than Hidious Idolatry
Jesus’ double-edged verdict is still sharp: “You cannot serve God and money” (Matt 6:24).
Refuse to have that foolish mindset of the world, and allow yourself to be duped either. You know how they are: Get all you can, can all you get and then sit on that can. No, no -- choose not to live like that!
When wealth rules a person, it becomes like a rival deity in a person's heart and mind, though it's no deity at all. The rich young ruler walked away sad because coins had captured his heart (Matt 19:16-24). Allow Jesus to be Lord in practice, not merely theoretically.
“Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” — John Wesley
4. The Unjust Steward & Kingdom Investing
In Luke 16, an unrighteous manager uses fleeting wealth to secure future shelter. Jesus flips the story: if the “sons of this world” are that shrewd with temporary treasure, how much more should “sons of light” invest in eternal friends (Luke 16:9-13). We are stewards, not owners; every dollar should advance the Master’s agenda.
Charles Spurgeon observed, “God has a way of giving by the cartloads to those who give away by shovelfuls.” The gospel loosens our grip so resources can flow instead of clog.
Jesus said in Luke 16:13: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (esv. See Matthew 6:24 too).
“Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10).
Don't even waste any time trying to serve two masters cuz that's idiotic (See Luke 16:13), instead just serve the Lord with a pure heart fervently. Believer, do pray that God will meet your needs and He will do just as he has promised to do. He's passed up a lot of opportunities to be early, but He's never been late. He's been so SO faithful to His children and we can express sincere gratitude.
He is our great Source -- what we need to serve with, it comes from God (Psalm 121:1–2). And any abundance beyond just that daily sustenance is a gift from the Lord (and a test perhaps). We are to use it all wisely. When we consider that all we have and all we are belongs to God, we are more careful to use it all for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Jesus taught that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich person to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:25). Our Lord put wealth in perspective when He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:1–7).
“All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” (Ephesians 2:3–5 nlt)
“For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8 esv).
“Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts” (Jeremiah 12:1–2).
Remember studying how God raised up the Babylonians, a “ruthless and impetuous people” It was for a reason (Habakkuk 1:6. And see Jeremiah 27:6). God raised up the Persian king Cyrus in order to accomplish all that God pleased (Isaiah 44:28). And God also raised up the Egyptians and Assyrians in His righteous judgment of disobedient Judah (Isaiah 7:18).
But why? “Why do the wicked prosper?” Perhaps it's because God loves lost sinners as well as saved by faith kind of sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). He is compassionate, merciful, and patient with wicked people because He wants all people to be saved (even though many will not come to Him). Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Our Lord is so patient. He's given many people time to repent, believe and be "saved” (2 Peter 3:15 nlt, Matthew 5:45).
Job struggled and said, “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” (Job 21:7). And the psalmist expressed envy when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, wondering if living righteously was worth the trouble (Psalm 73:3, 13).
Look at Luke 16:9: “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (esv)
5. A Better Anthem Has Been Sung Before (Let's Join In)...
“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold.. so turn your eyes upon Jesus; the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
6. Get Your Marching And Walking Orders From Your Chief Commander Jesus
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Confess any envy or anxiety that money provokes. If you've blown it, just admit it and quit it. Repentance needs to be a habit of life for us.
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Choose contentment in fellowship with Jesus and His body: rehearse daily that everything is gift from God, not some entitlement.
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Re-budget for eternity: prioritize church involvement, missions too, and then wisely help the poor; start with a tithe and then perhaps grow from there. Grow spiritually first.
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Invest in people seeking to serve the Lord: use “unrighteous wealth” to create gospel friendships that will one day greet you up in heaven.
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Repeat Wesley’s rule out loud, pray it, say it even.. until real generosity feels like freedom to you.
Unlike what the false word-faith TV preachers teach: that wealth is some proof of God's blessing on your ministry (Wrong! Be like a discerning prayerful Berean to test all things against the Bible. God will indeed provide and guide you if you ask Him to, but think about all the falsehoods propagated "in the name of God" by world religions and the cults. Consider the cold deadness of Catholicism or with that cult of Mormonism for example. These organizations both have gobs of money and real estate, but we want to be a part of the Church, and sound Christian efforts to see sinners getting (biblically) saved by faith.
Wealth is still not offensive to God (unlike the wicked with their wealth), because He has at times blessed His OT children with wealth when they obeyed and lived to please Him (Deuteronomy 28:1–8). Think of Abraham (Genesis 13:2), of Jacob (Genesis 30:43), and of King Solomon (1 Kings 10:23). These are examples of wealthy men in the Bible who were used by God in mighty ways.
Go through the whole NT as well and see several wealthy people who were instrumental in advancing God’s kingdom.. God's way. Go study about Matthew (Luke 5:27–29), Joanna (Luke 8:3), Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57), Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8), and Lydia (Acts 16:14–15). They were all individuals of great means who were called by God for a special work and who used their wealth for a righteous cause.
Again, wealth in and of itself is morally neutral. What we do with wealth can either enhance good or create more evil. Wealth can be used for God’s purposes or for selfish goals.
Today real Nazi brown shirt, Mr. Soros and His son, have sure done a lot to destroy in multiple nations using their great wealth. Sadly, there are several billionaires like them (and the evidence is in). They will one day give account at the Judgement Seat.
Money makes a cruel master but it can be a servant as you wholeheartedly serve the Lord. Let's serve Jesus onfire, not lukewarm or cold-blooded. Let the money God gives to you.. serve the King of all Kings—then watch Him turn temporary coins and cash into everlasting joy.
Have real wealth, store it up in heaven ..as you know and follow Christ. Yes, start by becoming a real Christian in fellowship with Him and His Church!
