This week at GP we are talking again about the importance of allowing God to control our finances. It has been around 2000 years since Jesus told a listening audience that our hearts follow our money. Money leads ~ Hearts follow. And yet the simple but profound truth that Jesus spoke on that hillside continues to ring true in 2010. In that same message Jesus also stated that we cannot serve both God and Money. Our hearts and lives cannot be controlled by both God and Stuff. We submit to the control of one or the other.
I don’t think the average Jesus follower would admit that they are living under the control of Money. Most of us pretend that money is under our control (or the more spiritual of us might even suggest it is under God’s control). But it is really difficult to argue with the stats. Across the board, the average Christ follower gives away very little of their income. As a matter of fact, statistics reveal the ugly truth that those who profess to be Christians give as little as the average person who claims no religious affiliation. So what’s the deal?
As I have said before, I don’t really believe Jesus followers are revolting against giving and simply refuse to give. I don’t think the average Christian thinks the church or pastors want to abuse giving and take advantage of a blind flock. I just think the average Christian does not believe they are able to give. They want to give but they feel unable to do so. I would say most sincere followers of Christ want to give to their local church and to other good causes but sincerity does not equal ability. Because so many of us live a life where our lifestyle equals or surpasses our income, we have zero financial margin – translated zero ability to give even if we want. We are living in the control of our finances. If we were not, we would simply do what the Bible says in this area. We would prioritize God in our money.
We talk regularly at Grace Point about giving, not because we are in dire need of money or want to fill the coffers of our church or raise the pastor’s salary. Those who know us deeply know that we use a large part of our budget to serve outside our own walls. Money has never been about “us” at GP. We talk regularly about giving a) because it is such an essential part of biblical teaching and living & b) because we want every Jesus follower to experience God’s blessing and the Bible is clear that God rewards giving.
We often refer to The Treasure Principle of the New Testament which basically implies that if I want to truly overcome greed, materialism, and selfishness in my life, then I need to give away my resources. My heart always follows my money. And if I learn to give, God is able to enable me to overcome those selfish innate tendencies.
Creating financial margin (the ability to give) begins with prioritizing God in my giving. Develop an intentional plan of priority, percentage giving that prioritizes God in your life. That’s how God intends us to live life.
There are very few times in the Bible where God encourages His followers to “test” Him. Giving is one of those areas. God says to His people, “Test me with your money by giving and then stand back.” As the cliche says, “you can never outgive God.”
God does not need your money but God does want your heart. God does want His people to show their faith and love for Him through the act of giving. God does want us to test Him in this area. And God does want to reward faithful giving.
I want to be a giver. I want to trust God in every area of my life – even in the one that resides so close to my heart.
What does your money trail say about your heart?