This weekend, we are privileged to have Tim Rosen (https://fincompass.org) with us to speak about faith and finances.
Eeehhh...just the mention of money elicits a response (usually a strong one) from both Christian and non-Christian alike.
When a pastor speaks about money, the temptation can be to think that, "money is all the church talks about".
When a financial person speaks about money, the temptation can be to dismiss it as, "just their opinion".
When someone else speaks about money, we are prone to think, "that works for them".
Why do most people struggle when the topic of money is brought up or discussed?
It can be for various reasons, but they all stem from an unbiblical view of money, possessions, and the Giver of both.
For a few moments, let us consider what may be some of the most common reasons people struggle with the topic of money.
We want control. Whenever the topic of money arises, it typically calls us to consider or reconsider how we are using it. This challenges our ability to utilize it in whatever manner we want. Whether it is a spouse, pastor, friend, or financial advisor, someone else telling us what we should or must do creates friction. Solution? Remember that God is our Provider and that neither our money or possessions were ever fully "ours".
We feel shame. At some level, perhaps we know what we ought to have done but struggle to consistently do so. Maybe we tried a budget before or we said this would be the week we would stop eating out as much only to find ourselves making the same choices again. We do not want others to know and so we seek to avoid having any conversations or situations that will require discussion. Solution? Accept that accountability is beneficial for us, not a boogie man to be feared.
We have tried and failed before. If I had a dollar for every time I have wanted to do better with money...I would have more money to try and fail again with. Budgeting, like so many of life's items, is not fun and calls us to accountability. Accountability often brings discomfort and so it is easier to "let it be". The problem is that we find ourselves facing a crisis or financial pain that causes us to reconsider our ways. So, we set off to try again but maybe fail...the discouraging cycle continues. Solution? Embrace the fact that financial stewardship, like any other part of our sanctification, is an imperfect process in which we grow.
We want to use it on us. While this is somewhat similar to the first problem, it differs in that the focus of control is upon us and our wants rather than simply wanting to control it. We want to have the car we want. We want to have the house we want. We have to have the latest phone. We need that membership. We want our kids to enjoy or have...on we could go citing how self-focused we can become about money or possessions. Solution? Find true joy and enjoyment from seeing your goods as gifts from God to perform His glorious work for the Gospel and Christian kindness.
These are just a few of the issues that arise and that I commonly encounter when talking with Christians (and non-Christians sometimes). For followers of Jesus, the real issue is never the surface issue that maybe we identify. In each of the above situations, the real culprit is our sinful flesh wanting to heed whatever temptation pulls upon us rather than kneel to Jesus' Lordship. Before it sounds too austere, let us remember that King Jesus' rule is always for our spiritual betterment, the Gospel's furtherance, the saints' edification, and His rightful glory; the area of finances is no different!
"My money" is simply an avenue to demonstrate who I delight to worship and what I believe will satisfy me. Let us walk away from the feeble prisons that hold us captive about money and possessions to walk in freedom from covetousness, selfishness, and fear.
Our Savior is not only worthy of our love and worship in these areas but He has also provided us the liberty to flourish in them.
But let us never think that we can claim to be His followers and continue to abide consistently in such frail and sinful mindsets. Jesus' words remain stark..."No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Who does your money and possessions say you worship?
Sincerely,
Pastor Paul Norton