In the News, In the Word
by Gary Johnson
Throughout the day and night, we live in a continually connected world. Our smart phones keep us in the proverbial loop of what is happening in our corner of the world, and even in the far-flung places beyond where we live. Journalists report 24/7 of events occurring across town or around the world. Unless we power down the phone, shut off the computer and ignore the TV, we will be bombarded with local and global events.
It's in the News
One of the recurring news stories has much to do with the economy. Economists and financial analysts report of…
Record high inflation,
Increasing interest rates,
Credit cards being used for everyday needs, and
Home purchases for young people becoming increasingly difficult.
During my lifetime, much has changed economically in America. For example, I remember when the national debt hit $1 trillion in 1981, and THAT made the news! Since that time, our national debt has increased exponentially to $31.6 trillion – and it rises by the second. Taxes of all kinds have been leveraged by local, state, and federal governments, further hurting individuals and families. Moreover, the American culture knows little about fiscal restraint. Most Americans live by the mantra that “more is never enough.” Simply put, the finances of many people – and even of the local church – are not at their best. Financial health is far from good, and it is essential for us to come to grips with this reality. Stronger finances are necessary if we are to survive (and even thrive) in these perilous, uncertain economic days.
It’s in the Word
Still, there is a way that we can experience stronger finances, even in a way so that we can become spiritually rich in this life, and that discovery is in the Word of God. I am not referring to the financial wealth of well-known rich people such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk. The Word provides four specific insights that when practiced in our lives, we become truly R.I.C.H. in this life.
R -> Realize
It is essential to believe and affirm that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Ps 24:1). God is the Creator, Sustainer and Provider of all that we have and enjoy. We must not forget that He is the One who provides for us, even giving to us health, ability, and opportunity to work (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). To that end, are we grateful? Do we give thanks to Him every day and through the day? Do we care for all that He has entrusted to us? Are we stewards of every God-given provision? When we honestly realize that God is our Provider, we have every likelihood of becoming spiritually RICH in His presence.
I -> Invest
Jesus preached that we are not to “store up for [our]selves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). Are we taking Jesus at His words? Do we invest our time, talent, and treasure in the Kingdom of God? Simply put, do we tithe, giving 10% of our income to the Lord? If not, why not? Do we know that when we do not give tithes and offerings that we are robbing God (Mal 3:8-12)? When we give first to God, He is honored, and He then gives to us more than we could ever need! Then again, it may be that we do not give to God because we do not trust God. Every piece of our currency has printed on it our nation’s motto: “In God We Trust.” The question is, do we, really? If we trust in God to raise us from the dead, can we not trust Him to honor His Word and thereby give to Him what He asks? “Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps 20:7)! When we invest in the Kingdom of God, we enjoy a spiritual ROI (return on investment)!
C -> Content
While incarcerated, the Apostle Paul wrote that he had “learned the secret of being content…whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil 4:10-13). Paul learned how to be content with what he had. We are not born with contentment genes. Contentment is a learned behavior that comes from an attitude of sincerely believing that we have more than enough. When we are content, we easily resist spending money that we do not have on things we do not need to impress people we do not know. The cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the homes in which we live, the activities we enjoy are more than satisfying. When we learn the secret of being content, we become RICH in ways that are beyond this world.
H -> Hear & Heed
Finally, we need to remember that the Word of God has over 2,300 verses that address money and the things money can buy. Nearly one-third of the parables of Jesus and twenty-five percent of His Sermon on the Mount are about money and the things money can buy. For years, I have often said that “if something is repeated, it’s important!” Scripture shouts wisdom, truth, and common sense when it comes to money and the things that money can buy. Do we read the Bible, searching for such insight? Do we put into practice what it teaches about debt, learning to live within our means, saving for the future, sharing generously with those in need, etc.? When we hear and heed God’s Word when it comes to our finances, we WILL become spiritually RICH in this life!
Check out Too Much: Living With Less in the Land of More. I wrote this book to help us learn scriptural insights for daily use when it comes to our money and things money can buy.
We need to make an effort to become physically stronger. The same is true financially.
