BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
230th Edition – February 16, 2025
THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
Have you noticed the plethora of TV ads. about money recently? The banks want you to place your money with them, the investor companies promise to multiply your assets, and the lotteries hold out the hope that you will become an instant millionaire. One of those companies has got it right when they say, “Money is a thing, but it is not everything.” What should be the Christian’s attitude towards money?
CAUTION. Money is not the problem – it is an inorganic substance and is therefore neither good nor evil. The problem is, “the love of money” which is the “Root of all evil” [I Timothy 6:10].
COMMAND. Firstly, we are commanded to tithe (a word that means ‘a tenth’). [Malachi 3:10]. Of all the bounty the Lord has given us we are to return, at the very minimum, a tenth to Him. We are citizens of an earthly kingdom so we must pay our fair share to it as taught by the Lord Jesus. [Matthew 22:21].
CONSERVATION. We are not to be wasters neither are we to be misers. As “good stewards” do not spend more than you earn. Have a financial system, perhaps 70% for living expenses, 20% to be put aside for the ‘rainy day’ and 10% for the Lord’s work.
Be conscientious. Pay your bills promptly.
CREDIT. Israel was taught to lend but not to borrow. However, the reality of our society dictates we must borrow to put a roof over our heads. A mortgage should be treated like an extended rent, with ownership at the end. Ask yourself, ‘Can I afford to pay?’ Credit cards are fine as long as they are paid each month, otherwise there is the danger of huge debt. Families should remember the old saying, “Poverty comes in, and love flies out the window.”
CHANCE. The soldiers “cast lots” for the vesture of Christ [Psalm 22:18]. Gambling is wrong because it denies the dignity of honest toil.
It is evil because it is an addictive vice which has ruined many lives and families. It is always associated with covetousness which breaks the tenth commandment.
What about investments? There is a degree of gambling in all investments, some more than others. Speculative stocks are certainly a gamble. It is better to invest in a reputable company to share the financial burden in manufacturing some commodity.
Remember the Lord’s parable of the talents [Matthew 25:14ff]. Both people and money work and everyone benefits.
CHARITY. The Lord instructs us, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” [Proverbs 21:13]. The problem here is separating the genuine from the fake. The really needy will seldom ask for help, but the fake have no compunction about guilting the believer into handing over hard-earned cash to help them.
Christians do help the poor by their taxes, as well as by their charitable donations. The children of Israel were taught to specially help their brothers and sisters in the Lord. So should we.
A WONDERFUL ENCOURAGEMENT
Some Christians are well-off, and some have just enough for survival. But all have needs which only the Lord can meet.
“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:19]
Consider the PERSONAL Saviour. God is the One who gives us “power (or authority) to become the sons of God” [John 1:12]. What a blessing to be able to call the Lord “Our God,” through the saving power of Christ.
Think also of our PECULIAR needs. We need air to breathe every day, God supplies it. We need power for every heartbeat and God provides that for a lifetime. Then there is a multiplicity of human, mental and spiritual needs for life on earth. It is God who supplies all these things.
Focus also on the POWERFUL supply. How can the Lord supply all our need? Jesus is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” [Rev. 19:16]
and His assets are infinite. That means that whatever needs we have are not beyond His power to meet. That is what the Lord meant when He said of the Ephesian church’s poverty, (but thou art rich). [Revelation 2:9]. Poor in the world, but very rich in God.
