financial freedom

Earn As Much As You Can, Give As Much As You Can

by | Apr 17, 2017 | Maximum Generosity

Some folks might look at the first part of this title and think that it is promoting greediness and selfishness. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The concept of using our intellect and physical abilities to work and increase our resources is found in the earliest origins of the world.  God worked to create the world in six days and then declared that the fruit of His labor was “very good.”  Proverbs says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”  The Apostle Paul encouraged his readers to do something useful with their own hands that they might have something to share with those in need. There is absolutely no wrong in having money.  There is something intrinsically wrong with loving money to the extent that it becomes the root of evil in one’s life. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

One of the most important decisions in life a young person can make is how they will play out their educational experience to prepare themselves for a career that will potentially extend over multiple decades. It is important to find balance, purpose, and meaning in our life experience. Fulfilling work will always be a key ingredient in this process. The profession one chooses makes a significant difference in earning capacity. Perhaps you know people who just seem to have a knack for making money with their investments. The point here is to pursue the use of your life energies in the way God directs and earn as much as you can with an ultimate purpose in mind.

What is that ultimate purpose? Is it just to feed, house and educate our family, have fun times and finance all of our perceived needs? Of course, God requires that we take care of those who are our immediate responsibility. But the picture is much larger than that.  Among the many instructions provided to the Israelite nation, there is a provision in Deuteronomy 15:1-11 for the year of canceling debts. There is a mandate to give generously to the needy among them and to do so without a grudging heart. A pledge of the Lord’s blessing on all their work was assured in everything they put their hand to if they would live life with an open hand, ready to give to those in need.  

Is this an instant get rich quick scheme if we follow this command? Absolutely not, but it is the only appropriate use of the resources that God allows to pass through our hands. A tight-fisted approach to life when it comes to money not only robs us of the joy of giving, but deprives others, and the work of God, of essential Kingdom resources. We can’t all be Bill Gates and Warren Buffet wealthy and might not want to be if we knew the challenges that come with their financial prowess. However, we can be true to ourselves, and more importantly to our Lord, by earning all we can with the energies He gives us and then being as generous as we can to impact His world with the message of a loving Savior.

 

  1. How do you view your money?
  2. How are you using your resources to advance the work of the Kingdom?
  3. What need of another are you able to meet today?

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