For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
The following is an excerpt from The Root of Riches.
The Bible never condemns wealth; it only warns or condemns when money is gained through evil or used for foolish purposes.
Like any organization, Crown Financial Ministries looks for honest men to serve in our missions around the world. It hasn’t always easy to find them. Eventually, our continent leader in Africa developed a method to determine who should join our organization. He calls it the “Money Test” and it works like this.
When someone expresses interest in joining Crown’s mission, the leader arranges a phone call and asks the candidate to submit a budget for launching the ministry in the candidate’s country.
After reviewing the budget, the leader will say that he wants to fly out to meet in person for an interview and that he is sending a few hundred dollars in advance for expenses. He asks the candidate to keep receipts for how the money is used.
Later, after the face-to-face interview is completed, the leader asks for the receipts. In almost every case, receipts are produced showing the money was spent on hotel rooms, meals and other expenses related to the visit. The interview concludes.
Unbeknownst to the candidate, the leader then stays an extra day in that country contacting hotels, restaurants and car rental companies to ask about their rates. All too often, the receipts indicate costs higher than the actual rates, indicating they’ve been falsified and the difference was pocketed by the prospective new hire.
Candidates who fail this small “Money Test” lose their opportunity for the far greater reward of a long-term job.
I believe God gives each one of us a “Money Test.” He advances resources to us and will demand an accounting of how we spend the money. He is only interested in one question: Did you use money for your own interests or His?
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:11
To those who pass the “Money Test,” the long- term rewards are defined as the true riches. These are the blessings of living according to God’s financial principles and enjoying both the present and eternal rewards for faithfulness to Him. These are the riches that cannot be lost, stolen or destroyed in contrast to
mere worldly wealth.
The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 (ESV)
This is an obvious test that any person of integrity would pass.
After saying that I find that there are many who blur that line but never get caught.
Funny thing is when they do get caught they do not hink they have done anything wrong because they have justified it in their minds.
Posted by: Matt | July 24, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Amen, Brother!
Posted by: Angela | July 25, 2011 at 10:47 AM
That's what is so wonderful about following Christ. You do not use what you think of as a reason to do these money matters. You look to Him and His word. I have been retired for about 6 years and, looking to Him, my giving has increased two-fold. I use it for His work and anything else that I think will benefit those He loves - which is everyone.
Posted by: Georgia | July 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Wow...this reminds me of Ananias and Sephira. Things didn't turn out for them when they chose to deceive.
Posted by: Norma | August 01, 2011 at 12:32 AM