Biblical perspective of money - Part 1

The Buck Stops Here!

I'll take full responsibility, as in “You needn't call my boss; the buck stops here.” This saying gained fame as a sign on the desk of President Harry S. Truman. It alludes to another expression that means the opposite, pass the buck.

The Big Picture.

Think of an Iceberg. What you see is about 10% of the total mass of the berg; that means that 90% is below the surface. Concepts about handling money and possessions is just like that. What you see, the techniques, tools, stratigies, and methods, is the 10% - The how to; what you don't see - the Why, is the foundation for decisions and includes the what I call spiritual capital, the eternal perspective.

Introduction to the series:

Series will include the following topics:

· Money: a tool, a test, and a testimony
· God’s idea about finances
· Commonsense principles that can change your life
· How much is enough
· Setting financial fitness goals
· Making smart Choices
· Global economy
· Others possible

Stewardship is a concept recurring throughout the Bible.

· Genesis 15:2 names Eliezer, Abram’s steward
· Genesis 43:18 – 20 discusses Joseph’s steward
· Matthew 20:1-9 discusses a duty of a steward
· 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 says “. . . it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Essentially a steward is charged with the management of the resources of the owner of the resources.

Biblical stewardship is defined as the use of God given gifts and resources (time, talent, treasure, truth and relationships) for the accomplishment of God given goals and objectives.

Compare:

Ownership (full rights) vs. Possession (rights allowed by the owner)

Here is a truth: God owns it all! Read the following passages.

· Psalms 50:7-12 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."
· Haggai 2:8 "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts."

September 13, 2009