GOD’S RIGHT OVER THE EARTH AND ITS FULLNESS
Firstly, we must understand that God is the Creator and Lord of all the earth, and everything belongs to Him. The world we live in often disregards this truth, teaching us from a young age to have “our things” and, of course, “our money.” But nothing we possess is truly ours; it all belongs to God. The Word is very clear in telling us that everything belongs to God, and He has dominion over it.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16
In the book of Haggai, the Word is unequivocal about money and who it belongs to.
“‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:8
The second step is to understand that God has appointed us as stewards and caretakers of His creation. On the very first page of the Bible, we read:
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'” Genesis 1:26
He expects us to be good stewards and faithful.
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR INCOME?
Every month from our work or our business, we receive money. Everything we possess belongs to God, and we have to consider what He wants us to do with our possessions. In this study, we won’t talk about offerings, but the Word is clear that a portion of what we receive should be given to God.
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30
The Lord Jesus Christ spoke extensively about money and possessions. Twenty of the thirty major parables and one out of every 7 verses in the four Gospels relate to human attitudes toward possessions.
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 teaches us how a man, before going away, called his servants and gave them talents (a talent was a unit of weight used to measure precious metals used as money).
“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” Matthew 25:14-15
It’s interesting to note that they were not given the same amount; rather, very different amounts, and it’s emphasized that each was given according to his ability. The Word doesn’t indicate that it was based on their level of education, social status, race, or stature, but according to their ability. And by ability, it means the capacity to manage, care for, and make fruitful. To understand it better, let’s move forward in the message. Upon his return, their master came and settled accounts with them. The ones who had been given five talents and two talents went, traded with them, and brought back double to their master. To both, the master said:
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:21
The repetition of a message in two verses usually signifies confirmation. And this confirmation is that if we are faithful with money, its management, and bring everything to God, He will entrust us with greater things.
However, the one who had received one talent tried to justify his poor management.
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.” Matthew 25:24-25
His master responded to him decisively:
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:26-29
Now, if we analyze what we do with the money we receive month by month, let’s consider whether we spend it on vain things, keep it at home, save it in the bank, or do something better, like starting a business or investment. If what we do is squander it on vain things, the Word gives us a warning.
In the parable, we see that this “wicked and lazy servant” didn’t squander it but rather buried it in the ground to return it intact to his master, and the response from his master was very strong. What would have happened if he had squandered it? That is, if he had thrown a party, bought fashionable clothes, or taken some pleasure trip as we do today.
The Word urges us not to squander God’s blessings.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:1-2
On the other hand, this society not only encourages us to consume but also to get into debt with credit cards and loans to have the best car, the latest tech gadgets, and the most modern furniture.
However, if we pay attention to the Word, God’s desire is to make us prosper, bless us, and give us riches, but not for us to live as slaves to them or love them. But how can He give us riches if we focus on material things and succumb to the prevailing consumer economy? How can He give us riches if we squander most of what we receive? In the Word, there is a promise of God to His children:
“But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. WEALTH AND RICHES WILL BE IN HIS HOUSE, And his righteousness endures forever.” Psalms 112:1-3
PROVERBS OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT
In the book of Proverbs, there is much teaching on money management and how a Christian should conduct themselves:
“The hand of the diligent makes rich.” Proverbs 10:4
“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.” Proverbs 13:11
“The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.” Proverbs 14:24
“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.” Proverbs 15:6
“Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.” Proverbs 19:15
“There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.” Proverbs 21:20
“Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!” Proverbs 23:4
“He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!“ Proverbs 28:19
CONCLUSION
On one occasion, I got into a taxi for a long journey and realized that the driver had little experience despite being around 50 years old. During our conversation, I discovered that he was a devout Christian and knew many biblical texts. We engaged in a pleasant conversation, and he told me about his business problems which recently led to bankruptcy, and how he turned to taxi driving for lack of other options. As he recounted his company’s ups and downs and the glorious years it had, I was impressed by God’s blessing. After sharing this biblical study with him, the taxi driver broke down and admitted how he hadn’t managed his finances well during the years of prosperity, and how his household (his wife and children) had a culture of strong consumption, likely inherited from his parents. Fortunately, upon understanding the message of the Word, he was strengthened in the Lord and acknowledged that he had not properly managed God’s blessings.
