Money Is A Trust Issue (Part 2)


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Money is a commitment. Look at Luke 16:10 again. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Note the words “faithful” (in the NIV, “trusted”) and “dishonest.” So, according to stewardship mentality, a godly person is someone who is faithful and who could say, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11b) And, for that mentality, an ungodly person is someone who is unfaithful or dishonest and greedy. 

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Why? Our treasures are merely entrusted to us. It is not really ours. Luke 16:12 says, “And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (NIV) Notice the words “someone else’s property.” We are just managers, not owners. 

Money is also a conduit through which we serve and love God. According to 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.
Note the comparison between the words “love” and “devoted”  and the words “hate” and “despise.” The issue is not having money or not having it at all. The issue is the hold of money in our hearts and lives. Do we handle our money or money handles us? If we serve money, we end up hating and despising God. If we serve God, we end up loving Him more and being more devoted to Him. 

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How we handle money is a reflection of our priorities in life. It shows in the way we spend our money. 

A person with a poverty mentality spends so cautiously that he does not even enjoy the fruit of his labor. He is not really thrifty. He is actually a miser, which is just a letter away from “misery.”On the other hand, a person with a prosperity mentality spends so carefree that he does not even know how to save. He gets neck-deep in debt due to credit card purchases for items he does not need with money he does not have to impress people he does not like.

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But a person with a stewardship mentality spends prayerfully and responsibly. He budgets well. And he knows how to enjoy life for he has put his hope “on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17b) I like what someone wrote:
The thief says, “What’s yours is mine—I’ll take it!” The selfish man says, “What’s mine is mine—I’ll keep it!” But the Christian must say, “What’s mine is a gift from God—I’ll share it!”
Money Matters #2

Make a list of all your expenses during the week. (Don’t worry. You would only share it with your spouse, if ever.) What does your spending habit reveal about your priorities in life? 

Prayer:
Lord, we recognize that You have blessed us not only for ourselves but for us to share it with others. May our money draw us closer to our loved ones and friends, not farther from them. All for your glory!

NOTE: This is Day Two of the devotional guide (Volume 1, Issue 4) of our church, Filinvest Community Christian Fellowship, for the message last Sunday, March 22, on “Unleash Your Family Finances!” by bestselling authors, Bro. Vic and Sis. Avelynn Garcia of Unleash International.

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