THE WISE USE OF MONEY

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NKJV).

We mustn't look on money as our own, for on many coins you may read the inscription: In God We Trust. Therefore money is God's gift to us.  Both riches and honor come of You. David was right when he said, after his people and he had made a noble gift to God's work: "Of Thine own have we given Thee."

But you say: "I earn my money by the sweat of my brow." Granted; but "thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth." It is God who enables us to keep our jobs; who delivers us from paralyzing diseases, maintains the balance of reason, and renews our daily strength.  Isn't it our constant profession that we have devoted to Christ all that we are and have, and surely this consecration, if it means anything, means that concerning all that belongs to us we would say to our Lord: "What wouldst Thou have me to do?"

It is our duty to provide for our own (1 Timothy: 5:8). It is also right to hold a certain amount as capital, for the increase of business and the employment of labor. When a man uses his capital rightly, taking no more than a legitimate profit for his time, experience, and responsibility, and allowing his employees to share with him in the profit, he is doing more real good in the world than if he gave away his property by distributing a dollar each to a vast number of beggars. We are to be stewards of the Lord Jesus. This is His comparison (Matthew 25:14).

In order to guard against the love of money, we should be careful to give a budgeted amount to the cause of Christ. It may seem needless to insert this caution for those who should use all for Christ. But our hearts are so confused at times that we sometimes imagine that we are giving away a larger share of our income than is the case, unless we are accurate in adjusting the balance between Christ and ourselves. It is not possible for one to assign for another the proper amount, but whatever we budget; it should be rigorously deducted when we receive our income or wages. In the first place, give your own selves to Christ, and then all else will fall into line (2 Corinthians 8:5). 

PRAYER

Help me, dear Lord, to walk in the footsteps of Your holy life. Teach me how to gain by giving, and to find by losing, according to Your holy Word.  In the name of Jesus, I pray it. Amen.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #215:
You can trust in My faithfulness because My Word is true.

Psalm 33:4 (WEB)
For the word of Yahweh is right. 
All his work is done in faithfulness.