FIRSTFRUITS FINDINGS NEWSLETTER VOL. 11 NO. 2 April 2006 THE DANGERS OF WEALTH The past three issues of FirstFruits Findings have focused on what the Bible has to say about dealing with our wealth and possessions. Three principles have been highlighted: · God is the owner of everything. · We are to be generous with what has been entrusted to us. · We are to prudently manage what has been entrusted to us. In this final article in the series, we will look at the dangers of wealth. Like many things in life, wealth is relative. When we read the word “wealth”, we may not think this applies to us. We are not Bill Gates, perhaps we don’t have a stock portfolio, or maybe even the idea of putting together a vacation in the sun is a remote possibility. However, as middle-class Americans, we really are among the very richest people in the world. If you're really curious about that, go to www.globalrichlist.com and type in your household income. Be prepared to be shocked by how rich you are by world standards. Whatever the level of our wealth, it is significant because it is a trust from God. However, the power and influence of money can cause harm if we let our possessions possess our hearts. The Bible warns about dangers that come with wealth. It is easy to think that what we have gives our lives value, satisfaction or security. It can become a measure of comparing ourselves to others. Do we want others to evaluate us on our income, our profession or what we own? A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15b. Chasing wealth for the purpose of self-gratification never satisfies. Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Eccl. 5:10 Another danger is misguided trust. It is easy to trust in our assets instead of allowing God to fill our lives with what we really need. Our security shifts to the temporal rather than the unseen, eternal promises of God. When you get down to it, stewardship is not about giving, it is about trust. It’s relinquishing control of something that is so much a part of our daily lives. God promises to meet our needs, but we need to step aside and allow Him to do so. We need to have enough trust in God that we leave room for obedience when we sense God calling us to something out of the ordinary. Finally, we hinder God’s plan and purpose when we fail to use our resources in the way that God intends. We live on a groaning planet that needs the love of God in tangible ways. Half of our world – three billion people—live on less than $2 a day (purposedriven.com). Millions of people have never even heard the Word of God. As someone said, “I believe that God’s people possess God’s provisions to accomplish and fulfill God’s purposes in the world.” Do we take Jesus seriously when he warns how hard it will be for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven? Wealth, in itself, is not wrong. It is our attitude towards wealth that matters most to God. Do we see it as God’s gift to us to manage in His best interest? Simply put, we are to use our wealth, money and resources in this present life with an eye on eternity. We are to invest what God has given us now to accomplish His long-term goals. What a responsibility. What a privilege! “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b ? WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY? People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. I Tim. 6:9-10 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. I Tim. 6:17-18 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost though some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Eccl. 5:10, 13-14 ARE YOUR CHILDREN PREPARED FOR THEIR INHERITANCE? An estate plan directs the distribution of the earthly possessions entrusted to us at the time of our death. Often, much of these possessions are passed on to our children and grandchildren for their upbringing, well being and enjoyment. For families passing assets to children and grandchildren, we encourage you to ponder the following questions: Are your children and grandchildren prepared to receive an inheritance? Will they handle it well? Have you passed on spiritual and character values that will guide how they handle these assets? Do your children already have enough? Will they use it wisely and continue to advance God’s Kingdom? Will this inheritance reduce their work ethic or impact their contentment? Barnabas Foundation helps Christian families plan their estates in a manner which addresses the unique circumstances of each family and in a way that honors God. Barnabas Foundation works with members of the Christian Reformed Church in the U.S. and with supporters of our nearly 200 member organizations on a confidential basis and at no cost to the individual. Please call us at (888) 448-3040 to arrange a meeting. TIPS TO TRY CLEVER COST CUTTING IDEAS TO USE AT HOME Instead of a loaf pan, use a muffin pan to make mini meat loaves. They bake in less than half the time (about 20 min. at 450 F). They are perfect to freeze for individual portions, especially for a busy family or for eating solo. After purchasing jeans for kids go ahead and apply those denim iron-on patches to the inside part of the knee. It will be a little stiff in that area for awhile, but the jeans will probably last long enough until your child outgrows them. Instead of paying $3 or $4 for hand-washing liquid, buy a big bottle of bubble bath from the dollar store and use it to refill your empty hand-washing liquid bottle. RECOMMENDED RESOURCE “Law of Rewards” By Randy Alcorn While our faith determines our eternal destination," Alcorn writes, "our behavior determines our eternal rewards." He calls this the "law of rewards." This 135-page text is solidly planted in eight principles drawn straight from Scripture. It articulates how we can use money to honor God, what actions and attitudes God rewards, and what eternal rewards are awaiting us. Order from Eternal Perspective Ministries www.epm.org or 503-663-6481