Financial Discipleship - the Bible on Greedنموونە

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that being frugal is your problem.

Oftentimes, we take the words “frugal” and “stingy” to mean the same thing. But here are the definitions of each one, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary...

Frugal: characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.

Stingy: not generous or liberal; sparing or scant in using, giving, or spending.

Being frugal means being mindful of the spending of the resources you have. Like not spending more than you should on food at the grocery store, buying clothes at stores that aren’t as costly, not wasting food, and choosing between wants and needs. But being stingy means being unwilling to spend where, maybe, you can or should. And it is being unwilling to give or spend on others.

Why are we unwilling to give? Is it because we want to keep more? Is it because we don’t feel comfortable with the thought of not having enough? Is it because we’re only concerned with ourselves?

Stinginess is oftentimes the symptom of greediness, and greed amounts to idolatry (Colossians 3:5). So, it’s not our frugality that’s the problem. It’s our greed.

Sodom was destroyed because its people were blessed with abundance, but they chose not to help the poor and the needy (Ezekiel 16:49). They had all the food and riches they could ask for, but their possessions could not save them. Rather, the security they found in their possessions was the very thing that condemned them.

The Lord is so gracious. He only requires us to give 10% of what He has given to us. If we were to have the same power that God has when dealing with the stewards of our own money, we’d probably require 99.9% (or all of it) back.

God knows our hearts. Those who sow sparingly shall reap sparingly. But those who sow generously shall reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Idolatry is not just worshipping statues (Isaiah 44:9). It looks different for each of us. For some of us, it may mean worshipping ourselves. For someone else, it may mean putting their family’s desires before God. And for another, it may mean worshipping money. But Colossians 3:5 tells us to put our ways to death. We can overcome greed if we choose to desire our Lord Almighty instead. If we desire Him, He will take away our desires for earthly things (Psalm 73:25).

Nothing we acquire here on earth can buy our way into Heaven (Ephesians 5:5). So, don’t allow false teachers to convince you otherwise (2 Peter 2:1, 3). Your possessions cannot save you any more than their own possessions can save them. The riches will never make you happy. Neither will you ever be satisfied. The more you get, the more you’ll want to take (Proverbs 30:15).

It’s okay not to gain all the treasures of this world. It’s okay if you don’t feel like you have enough money saved. We’re human, and we do have fears. But God did not design us to have a spirit of fear. Being fearful means we’re not trusting Him to provide for us. He designed us with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). A power that assures us we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). A sound mind that trusts Him with every aspect of our lives to provide for our needs and give us our heart’s desire. A love that transcends limitations, lends a helping hand and gives freely and openly to others. For God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

(excerpt taken from The Bible on Money, Compass-finances God's way, 2022)