Today I share some financial principles from the Bible which I seek to apply in my own life, which are right for all Jesus’ disciples to live by and which we as the body of Christ need to apply in our corporate financial management also.

Everything belongs to God

Psalm 24:1 (quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:26) “The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his.”

Acts 4:24 The people in their prayer address God thus: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth and sea, and all that is in them.”

He made it, therefore he owns it. Leviticus 25:30 “The land must not be sold permanently, for the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.”

We are stewards of all creation; we have been asigned the task of looking after all of creation on God’s behalf. Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” And we are accountable to God for all of our conduct.”Every one of us is accountable to God.” Romans 14:12. This means for everything: how we care for God, our fellows and all of creation.

Honour the Lord with your wealth

Proverbs 3:9,10 “Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

It could be said that we as a church must be ok because our income exceeds our outgoings. But this is actually because we don’t spend anything we don’t absolutely have to. One could not say that our barns are filled to overflowing.

Our church income, whether it is our offerings or the proceeds from the op shop, is the fruit of our labour. But the church needs to honour God with its wealth. The principle works whether on an individual level or on a corporate level. It means, honour the Lord first, then he will honour you. This is not prosperity doctrine. This is not to manipulate God to make us rich. We are to honour God whatever happens, but know this: you cannot outgive God.

Get it in perspective. Matthew 6:33 “Be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requirees of you, and he will provide you with all the things you need.”

You cannot serve God and money Matthew 6:24.

Money is a means of exchange; it is not a tradeable commodity. Nor is it something to be worshipped. God is to be worshipped; money is to be used.

Love people; use things. Not love things; use people.

Money can be used to help people, to make life better or it can be used to make life worse.
Eg: interest. The Bible says interest rates must be kept to a minimum or don’t charge interest at all.

Money is often used as a measure of people but money is a lousy way to keep score.

Use money to minister to others

‘It’s not about us.’

God intends us to be generous with what he has given us. What do you have that you weren’t given? Be generous because God is and we are to be like him.

God has given us control. We are to decide how our money is used. We must remember it ain’t ours and ‘it’s not about us.’

John Wesley found he could live on his stipend and give some away. They increased his stipend but his living costs stayed the same so he he gave away what he’d been giving plus the increase.

Robert Laidlaw, founder of the Farmers’ Trading Company, in his early days gave 10% of his income to the Lord. As his income increased he increased his giving until he was keeping only 10%.

Proverbs 11:24 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”

Proverbs 28:27 “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”

Provebs 21:26 “A lazy man who refuses to work is only killing himself; all he does is think about what he would like to have. A righteous man, however, can give, and give generously.”

Giving keeps money and possessions in perspective. God is the owner who provides for us all putting things and people in our care and giving us the responsibility to ensure that all live well and that his work is done. The church’s money is for the church’s mission.