Tag: Money

A Christian Perspective

God’s Economy

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 NLT – Whatever you give is acceptable if you – Bible Gateway

“As the Scriptures say, ‘Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.’” 2 Corinthians 8:15 NLT

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There are those who read today’s text from 2 Corinthians 8 and see it as ‘socialism’ advocating for this in the structure of governments across the world from a Christian perspective. The fact is that this has nothing to do with government affairs, but everything to do with Christians and the Christian church.

The apostle Paul was instructing and explaining to the church in Corinth God’s method in giving to those in need. The church had started a ‘fund drive,’ as we would call it today, for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He was encouraging them to complete it. Their good motives must now be brought to completion for what was pledged. Paul was saying one should give according to their means, what they have and not what they do not have. One should never pledge an amount they cannot afford to pay.

The instruction was not to make life easier for others at their own expense, but there should be fairness or equality. This is where some people jump on the ‘socialism train.’ But this is not what Paul is teaching. He is not saying all Christians should have equal possessions, but equal proportion in their giving according to their means to help others. When following these instructions everyone’s needs are met. Paul refers to the example of God’s provisions to Israel in the wilderness with the supply of manna. “So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.” (Ex.16:17-18 nlt)

Devotionals

Repetitiveness of Proverbs       

Loring Schultz

“For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.” Proverbs 3:14 NLT

“My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!” Proverbs 8:19 NLT

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Did you ever wonder why so many verses in the book of Proverbs are often repeated. I have. My first thought was, obviously they’re important enough to be repeated. Along with that, some people don’t get it the first time, yours truly included, therefore the repetition. The book of Proverbs is an Old Testament book all about wisdom. Many subjects are repeated more than once indicating their importance. One such subject among the repetitive verses speak of the value of wisdom over money.

In Proverbs chapter 8, ‘wisdom’ is personified, a poetic device used to help us understand and relate, especially in contrasting ‘wisdom’ and ‘folly.’ Wisdom says that her gifts or fruit are better than gold. She produces higher wages than we can ever earn from a Fortune 500 company. It is true that wisdom helps and guides us into a position to make a nice living, but that is not the point here. The point here is simple, to have wisdom is to enjoy all the fruit, benefits, and wages it produces in our lives. It is more profitable than sliver and gold as described in Proverbs 3:14 above.

If you seek wisdom from its foundation in the “Fear of the LORD” (Pr.9:10 nlt) and follow its leading you will have all you need to function in life. Your assets no matter how much or how little will be better than gold along with the wisdom you have obtained from the Lord.

One final thought from ‘wisdom’, “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” (Pr.8:10-11 nlt)

A Christian Perspective

Spending More to Win Big      

Loring Schultz

“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT

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Starting today April 5th, a Mega Millions lottery ticket will cost you $5 instead of $2 here in the U.S… The title of this week’s Christian Perspective, ‘Spending More to Win More’, was a headline last week in our local Sunday newspaper. An article from Kurt Snibbe of the Southern California News Group provided the full-page article including graphs and statistics. Justifying the increase, Snibbe writes, “Officials who run the lottery say there will be bigger prizes won more frequently, along with slightly improved odds. Among the key changes are that the jackpot will start at $50 million instead of $20 million.” (1) The slightly improved odds increase your chances to ‘1 in 290,472,336’ from ‘1 in 302,575,350.’ Sounds like a sure bet to me.

This isn’t a piece endorsing state run lotteries that help create revenue for needed programs, nor is it a reprimand to Christians who place a few dollars in the state’s coffers each week. It is a piece to help us re-evaluate and think through where we spend our money. Are we investing it wisely? How can it be used more wisely to help others? Is God please where it is going? Do we care more about those in need than we do ourselves? Granted state lotteries fund a major portion of education and other needy programs. California for example provided $2.1 billion for education in 2024 from $9.2 billion in lottery sales. From a Christian perspective would it not be better to invest the entire $9.2 billion in education and other much needed services. This would be more beneficial not only in California but in every state in the country. That’s a hard sell but think about it.

The idea we take a vice as gambling and defend its use by giving some of the proceeds to the poor, the very people who are buying most of the tickets and can least afford it needs to be re-evaluated. The ‘Focus for Health Foundation’ reports, “The lottery preys on vulnerable people. The people most likely to habitually play the lottery are typically poor, largely minorities, and often addicts. The Journal of Gambling studies found that lowest fifth in terms of socio-economic status has the highest rate of playing the lottery. Despite the terrible odds of winning money through the lottery, people in financial trouble think the lottery is the only way to accumulate money.” (2)

Christians today need more discernment concerning this issue than in years past. Gambling has been increasing dramatically as almost every state in America has a state lottery and recently added legalized sports betting. This is not only an American problem, but many countries around the world are experiencing the same trends. The poorest among us are being taken advantage of and then there are those who never have enough. Both want to get rich quick. Both are willing to spend more to win big. May we be wise and good stewards with what the Lord has blessed us and help those in need directly rather than through a lottery ticket.  

(1) https://www.ocregister.com/2025/03/28/lottery-the-mega-millions-ticket-is-going-to-be-5-soon/

(2) The Lottery: The Poor are Playing, and the Wealthy are Winning – Focus for Health

Devotionals

From God’s Hand          

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1-18 NIV – Gifts for Building the Temple – Then – Bible Gateway

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV

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The month of April is a dreaded month for some here in the United States. It’s tax month. Pay what you owe. There are Christians who frown on giving any money to a government that does not abide by Biblical standards. However, that will be a topic for another day. Today, let us inquire about the source of our income. The fact we have any money to give to the government comes from God.

King David was aware of this when he said, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” (1Chr.29:14 niv) David and all Israel were donating gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones for the construction of the Temple. In his prayer, David acknowledges, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?” (1Chr.29:14 niv) David knew all he had, and all that the people had come from God’s hand. They were giving it back to Him in building the Temple. David also wrote in the book of Psalms, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (24:1 niv)

A proper perspective of the source of our income can be gleaned from David. It comes from God. Yes, you worked for it, but God opened the door of opportunity for your job, and He gives you the knowledge and strength to perform in it. When we consider everything that we have is from God, it should make it easier to let go of some of our resources, especially since it is not ours to begin with. Allow God to speak to you where He would like you to share and invest your income. It is from God’s hand.

Devotionals

What are your treasures, and where are you storing them?     

Loring Schultz

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

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Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount address many topics such as, one’s attitude towards a brother, adultery and divorce, retaliation, love, prayer and fasting, judging others, and the golden rule. Jesus was also concerned with what we do with our money, and He expressed that in teaching us about the treasures we accumulate. Our treasures come to us mostly through our use of money. What are we investing in and accumulating on this side of heaven. Can we name them? Are they obvious and evident for all to see where our heart is? Let’s take a closer look at this.

First, our treasures need not only be material things bought with money. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Mt.6:21 nlt) Here’s one example, your treasure may be the accolades you received over the years for your accomplishments in your field of expertise. Dwelling on these will lead to pride failing to give God the glory. This would be what Jesus refers to as ‘storing up treasures here on earth’ and not storing them in heaven. You could have been an influence on others as they witnessed your work for the glory of God. Their lives may have been changed by your actions, storing treasures in heaven.  You see, it is not always money, but it is a large part of it.

So, what are your treasures today and where are your storing them? On the financial side, are you making investments in the kingdom of God, or is in this world in the here and now. Are you investing in people and using your successes to help those in need, for it is Jesus who said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Mt.25:40 nlt) May we examine ourselves truthfully and know what our treasures are (what is important to us) and begin storing them in heaven. We may surprise ourselves in a good way or perhaps not, either way it’s a good exercise.

Devotionals

Trust in your money and down you go!

Loring Schultz

“Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” Proverbs 11:28 NLT

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Money is a wonderful thing. Used in a proper manner it meets the needs of individuals, families, businesses, governments, and keeps the economy of each nation and the global economy running smoothly. At least, that is how it is meant to work. Improper use such as overspending for individuals who continue to live outside their means, and the government continuing to print money is not only trusting in money, but trusting in money either of them has. It is foolish guaranteed to have a tragic end, It comes down to lack of discipline and convincing yourself you never have enough to meet your needs. If you are trusting in money instead of God to take of you, take heed to this wise proverb by King Solomon, “Trust in your money and down you go!” (Pr.11:28a nlt)

The Lord God is more than capable to meet our needs. Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount said the following, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Mt.6:31-33 nlt) Our Lord wants us to trust in Him and not our money. He wants us to desire Him and His kingdom living righteously, and He will bless us accordingly. Solomon was also aware of this when he wrote, “But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” (Pr.11:28b nlt)

For the Christian, our trust is to be in God who owns everything. He is never in short supply and will grant us what is needed when it is needed. The snare of trusting in money is ever before us in our current day. Our culture demands that we need certain things essential to life itself, but a closer look at them and we see we can get along fine without them. When we trust in the Lord to meet our essential needs, He will. When we trust in our money for the things we think we need to survive in life, it will soon evaporate and down we go! During my career when I would be concerned about financial matters the Lord would remind me with this verse that He supplies our needs, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Ps.127:2 nlt) Yes, we are to work, but to also live within our means and God will supply.

Read: Proverbs 11:24-28 NLT – Give freely and become more wealthy; be – Bible Gateway

Bible Studies

“Clever Christianity” The Parable of the Shrewd Manager: Parables of Jesus

Loring Schultz

 “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” Luke 16:8 NLT

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            This week’s parable comes directly from life itself, an earthly story where all the characters are unjust and corrupt. How can we derive a heavenly meaning with such deception? With our sinful minds this is not possible, but Jesus is telling the story.

            A rich business owner had a manager working for him who ran the operation. The manager had authority over the business as granted by the owner. He was trusted in all areas of the business including financial terms, acting as an agent for the owner. It was reported to the owner that his manager was wasting his money. Jesus doesn’t give us the exact details of the mismanagement only that he was wasteful to the point the owner demanded an accounting. “So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’” (Lk.16:2 nlt) The manager, realizing his position was about to come to an end, worked his status as a trusted agent to his advantage one more time.

            As Jesus describes, the manager acted shrewdly. He had a plan and said, “Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.” (Lk.16:4 nlt) He secured his future with the means he had afforded to him although unjustly. The manager arranged a meeting with his boss’s clients and adjusted their bills to a lower amount which he had the authority to do. They would be grateful for the reduced payment and most likely will remember him when he was unemployed. Not unlike how business is done in 2024, people acting shrewdly to line their own pockets taking care of number one, themselves.

            The owner, though outsmarted, revealed his character by commending his manager for his wittiness. “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd.” (Lk.16:8a nlt) And this is where Jesus turns this earthy story of dishonest rascals into a heavenly meaning. Jesus says, “And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light.” (Lk.16:8b nlt) Jesus makes the comparison between non-Christians and Christians on how they use earthly resources for the future and to gain friends. The unbelievers of this world do a better job. Jesus now gives us the lesson, “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Lk.16:9 nlt)

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            Jesus noted that the unjust and corrupt of this world are smart enough to use their resources to make friends and plan for the future benefiting themselves. Christians today should do the same, but to benefit others. Clever Christianity is using our earthly resources for more than earthly matters but also heavenly ones. We are to use our resources honestly and wisely to help others, to gain friends, to lead others to Christ populating heaven so when we arrive, they will welcome us. And the Lord will commend all clever Christians for using what He has given us to serve Him.

Read: Luke 16:1-9 NLT – Parable of the Shrewd Manager – Jesus – Bible Gateway