Page 10 - Managing Your Resources - Student Syllabus - short combined

Managing money is one of the most talked about topics in the Bible with over 2,300 verses pertaining to
money. Why? God knows we have lots of issues in dealing with money and that we need a lot of
guidance on money and its use, as how we deal with money affects our relationship with God. Satan
wants to use money as a means to distance us from God.

God’s Perspective and the Correct Attitude
So how do we arrive at a heavenly perspective on managing money? First, we
need to understand that greed is sin.

I Timothy 6:10 …the love of money is a root of all evil.

It’s not the money that is evil. Money is totally neutral. Money is a medium for
exchange and storage of value and involves precious metals, shells, ornaments,
cattle or herds, cards, cash, or checks. It is anything that holds value and can be
exchanged.

I Timothy 6:10 (the rest of the verse) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

It is not money that is the problem. It is the lust for what it can provide that is the problem. It is greed
and the love of money that creates the sin problem. The reason: greed leads to idolatry (putting things
before or above God).

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is
idolatry.

Therefore, we should store up our treasures in heaven and have a heavenly perspective on the use of
money.
Matthew 6: 19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths
and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also.

You can be very rich materially but if you are living a life that is not pleasing and
honoring to God, it is useless. Our life is but a glimpse in God’s eyes. The world
says, “You only go around once in life, so get all the gusto you can get (Schlitz
Beer).” God says, “Only one life ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

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