A Christian View of Finances

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or, I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov. 30:7-9).

I have not found any passage more helpful in dealing with my own heart on the issue of finances than that. Greed is not something that is just found in the hearts of the wealthy, but it exists in hearts from every social class. Many must admit that they have to fight against some form of it. We looked at this text several weeks ago on a Wednesday night in the context of discussing the Lord’s Prayer and praying for God to give us our daily bread. Thabiti Anyabwile dealt with it today in the context of the qualifaction of deacons and that they must not be “greedy of filthy lucre” (KJV). He posed several questions to help examine potential canidates for the office, but I believe them to be helpful to all of us in developing a biblical view of finances.

Does the potential deacon exhibit godly generosity and self-denial or greed when it comes to personal financial matters?

Does the potential deacon encourage others in generosity or does he/she foster selfishness and financial self-concern in others?

Does the potential deacon demonstrate pastoral care and self-sacrifice when interacting with others in need?

Is the potential deacon honest in his or her financial dealings?

What is the potential deacon’s attitude toward wealth? (Does he hold all things loosely or with a miser’s grip?)

The second question generates many thoughts in my own mind; “Does he foster selfishness and financial self concern in others?” Many times under the heading of being a “good steward” we can become preoccupied with money, and fall into greed. We can promote frugality to the end that foster financial self concern. Obviously there is a balance between being responsible and a good steward and not being greedy. In many situations in life I fear we are out of balance towards selfishness and financial self concern.