This blog written by our Board member, George Hutchison, was too good to not share with you.
Larry Burkett used to say there are over 1000 verses on money in the Bible. Howard Dayton would say there are over 2,000 verses on money and possessions. Both of these perspectives make a powerful statement as to the importance that God places on how we should handle our money and possessions. We call this God's Economy.
But how do we take all those verses and understand God's Economy in a quick and concise form? I think Paul takes care of this in his first letter to Timothy. First Timothy 6:17-19 gives a pretty clear and concise understanding of what God's Economy should look like. I thought it might be interesting over the next two posts to take these three verses and break them down phrase by phrase. I think you will agree that once we complete this little exercise, we will see that Paul has provided a pretty clear picture of what God's Economy should look like.
Before we look at what Paul says, we have to look at who these verses are written to. He addresses these verses to "Those who are rich in this present world". Do you think you are rich? Probably not, but if you live on more than $10 a day or $3650 a year, according to Global issues (and other sources) you are in the top 20% of wealthiest people in the world. So how does it feel to be rich? If you are reading this, you are most definitely included in the category of "rich in this present world".
After we accept the fact that these verses are written to us, Paul starts by saying: "Don't be conceited". This is a very concise way of saying that everything we have belongs to God and comes from God. This includes even our ability to make wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). Once we acknowledge the fact that it is all God's and what we possess is through His grace and His grace alone, we quickly realize we have no right to be conceited. Step #1 is to humbly accept the fact that we are stewards and not owners.
The next phrase warns us "not to… fix our hope on the uncertainly of riches, but on God". If you are a "Baby Boomer" and you have been watching your portfolio go up and down like a yo-yo over the last few years, you certainly understand the meaning of this phrase. God wants us to be secure by trusting Him; not by trusting in a pension, portfolio or employer. Step #2 is to trust God and not money.
The third phrase is a very interesting phrase. It is not only interesting for what it says, but where it is in the passage. What it says is this: "Who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy". If God has blessed us with money and the things money can buy, we should enjoy these things. Yes, that is what that phrase says. Step #3 is to enjoy His gifts and provisions.
But did you notice where the phrase is? It is right smack in the middle of First Timothy 6:17-19. Do you think this is a coincidence? I don't think so. I think what Paul is saying is make sure you have the instructions before, and the instructions after this phrase clear in our mind and evident in our life before we start camping on enjoying God's blessings. If our enjoyment of the things God has given us gets in the way of the rest of our journey to live by God's Economy, we have missed the whole point.
Take some time and meditate on First Timothy 6:17-19. It is a very concise presentation of the many verses in the Bible that deal with God's Economy. See if you can identify at least four more foundational blocks to living by God's Economy. They are not that hard to find. Lord willing, we will cover them in the next post. – George Hutchison serves on the Board of America’s Keswick and is a instructor with Crown Financial.
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 30; Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2
Dig This Quote: If you come to worship for any reason other that the joy and pleasure and satisfaction that are to be found in God, you dishonor Him. To put it in other words, worship is first and foremost a feasting on all that God is for us in Jesus. This is because God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him. Or again, you are His pleasure when He is your treasure. Which is to say that God's greatest delight is your delight in Him. Sam Storms
Determined Digging: Level 1: John 14:27; Level 2: Matthew 6:25-29
Determined Praying: The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer. J Hudson Taylor
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