July 16, 2009
Neighbor party woke me up about 4:30 or 4:45 am. Part of it was an argument, and I started praying for them… and when I did, the arguing ended! But the party carried on until about 5:20 or 5:30. Meanwhile, after praying, You suddenly gave me a “revelation” (at least it was a revelation to me!).
I’ve been thinking about “studying finances from a biblical viewpoint,” … I’ve always felt there was kind of a “disconnect” between OT and NT writings on “wealth” although many similar principles, such as giving generously to the poor. But in the OT, over and over we read of God promising, basically, “health, wealth and prosperity” to His people (so long as they obey His commandments and laws – and fear/ revere Him.. and even, most of all, “do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God” (Micah 5:8, s/a Jer 22:3 and 13f). While in the NT we read of “storing up treasure in heaven” while being warned (and seeing experienced in the lives of Jesus and His followers) of poverty, suffering, etc (and also of “one another” love, kindness, full sharing of our goods, etc).
So much of the teaching I have heard has tended to be of the “tithe faithfully and God will financially bless you” variety (esp from Malachi 3) (or, on the other extreme, the “evils” of having money, though that seems to have been mostly a thing of the past… at least in our materialistic society… in which the “free enterprise” system is held up as being the “Christian” way, with each person supposedly encouraged to get out there and get rich…). Anyway, I’ve wondered at the OT/NT disconnect …
And then You suddenly spoke so clearly, enlightened the eyes of my heart (and mind!). You reminded me that the OT Jewish/Israelite experience, as “God’s people, under His special law and covenant” was one of an earth-based kingdom (even with its theocratic nature/ basis), that was a type/ picture/ shadow of the greater, full kingdom of God that Jesus would make available to mankind through His sacrifice on the cross. (Those in the OT really didn’t even have a clear concept of an after-life (Psa 88:10-12)… so earthly wealth passed down the generations of a family was important… it was their “hope” … it was a very earth-bound view of existence, even with their belief in Almighty God!). So in the NT we are promised riches – but the emphasis is on spiritual riches (both now, and “treasure in heaven” to come), and we are constantly reminded that this world is not our home, and that the physical/ temporal riches we may encounter here are fleeting at best, and are to be shared with others, as we fulfill the great commandment of Jesus to love God and others.
Even tithing is an OT concept, limited in its scope. As believers, we are called to, basically, give 100%, all we have, right to our very lives, for the sake of the Kingdom and our love of God and our neighbor. (As Pastor A used to say, Time, Talents, Treasure… 100%… our whole BEING dedicated to, dwelling in, and being part of, in all aspects of our lives, God’s kingdom).
And sometimes God does give us times of material “prosperity” and sometimes times of great “poverty, need, suffering” during our journey through this world. And when we have those times of prosperity, we are to share it with great generosity and love with our brothers and sisters who are in need (2 Corinthians 8). (And note, not 10% or some such set number, but overflowing in joy and liberality – even when we are “poor” – giving ourselves to the Lord and to others by the will of God, abounding in sharing our goods/ wealth with others just as we abound in faith/ knowledge/ earnestness, on the bases of love and of the example of Jesus’ grace (as He became [physically] poor to make us [spiritually!] rich… giving according to what we have [so people who are rich in the wealth of this world will give abundantly, overflowing, maybe 90% or more of their income, willing to give away all that is beyond their very basic survival needs, eh?? Just as 10% of income may be too much for those living on the edge of survival… and recognizing that we are to give from ALL our “riches” (to our very lives), not just our income/ money… (in fact, of course, OT tithing being mainly crops, livestock, etc.. money generally being given as “offerings” more often, it seems, from my reading…)].
Anyway, the key is what we mean by riches – treasures on earth or those “stored up” in heaven – and our use of them – for ourselves or for the kingdom of God (with the love of God and neighbor). And remembering that every good thing we have comes from God and belongs to Him, and that includes every aspect of our lives!
Yes, God blesses us, God gives us wealth, as His people… but spiritual wealth, eternal wealth is that which is of greatest value, and therefore is what we long for!
(And we also need to be very aware of the dangers of “worldly wealth,” the temptations the enemy lays upon it, the very temporary nature of it, the danger of the “love of money which is a root of all kinds of evil” See Jer 22!)
Note: Even in the OT, there are frequent “hints” toward the teaching Jesus would bring. For example: Proverbs 20:15 “There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.” And of course, even in the OT, the source of wealth is important. It SHOULD come by the blessing of God for fearing Him, loving Him, obeying Him. If it is not a result of righteousness (a right relationship with God) then it is a result of evil, and the outcome of it will also be evil, in the long run. Proverbs 20:17 “Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.” 21. “An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning will not be blessed in the end… 23. Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, and a false scale is not good.” Etc!
