The Bible contains 2,350 verses on money and possessions. The Bible has so much to say about money for spiritual and practical reasons. Spiritually, money impacts the intimacy of our relationship with Christ and competes with Christ for the lordship of our life. Practically, the Bible gives believers clear principles for earning, spending, saving, investing, giving, getting out of debt and teaching our children how to handle money.

The Bible teaches that there are two distinct responsibilities to the handling of money: the part God plays and the part we play.

God owns everything, is in control of everything, and provides or every need. He is absolutely predictable in that he will provide our every need though He is unpredictable as to how he will provide.

Our part is to be stewards (managers) of God's resources. As stewards we are to be faithful (1 Cor 4:2). If we are not faithful in the small things, we are not likely to be faithful in big things (Luke 16:10). So if we want God to make us stewards of big things we must first learn to be faithful.

When we are faithful, we will benefit in three ways:
1. we will grow closer to Jesus (John 14:21)
2. we will develop godly character
3. we will begin to have financial stability

Points to ponder:

1. Why is the way we handle our money a spiritual issue? (Clue: check out Jesus' responses to those who asked him how they could enter the Kingdom of God?)

2. What would a good steward invest his money in?

by Canon James Wong - 01 June 2008