Financial Discipleship - the Bible on SavingsSample

We have seen many times over that the word of God is complete, suitable for guiding us in and through every aspect of our lives. It is full of instruction established by wisdom. And we can rely on it to prepare us for any and everything life has in store for each of us (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

Proverbs 21:20 says the wise save for the future and the foolish spend whatever they get. So, there is an understanding that God’s thoughts toward us are good, including our financial situation. His word says so, and He gets no satisfaction from seeing us fall into foolish ways.

It is wise to save. But is there more to saving?

Ask yourself, "Why do I save?" After a few moments, we may all come to realize that we have plenty of reasons. And if you’re familiar with the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21), then you know where this is headed.

The parable is about a man who accumulated so much grain that he had no more room in his barns. But instead of sharing and giving away the excess of what he stored away, he decided he would build bigger barns, large enough to store everything, and he could say he was finished. He was satisfied with this plan, telling himself: Eat! Drink! Be merry!

See, this man was very pleased that he had managed to put aside enough to last him the rest of his life. The only problem was, the Lord was not. He called this rich man a fool.

In God’s eyes, it is foolish to spend it all, but it is also foolish to save it all. If we learn nothing else from the Parable of the Rich Fool, we can learn that, as His children, our Father expects more from us.

Saving for the future is God-inspired. But lacking the heart to give God what is His, to surrender ourselves and possessions to His will, and bless others is not. God requires His stewards to be both wise and generous (Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:41-46). To lack nothing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and to depend on Him. To be the head, not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13) and to help fund the Great Commission.

So, yes. Save for the troubles ahead (the rainy days). Save for the future, and spread it among seven or eight ventures (Ecclesiastes 11:2). Save, so the shackles of debt find more difficulty having a hold on you (Proverbs 22:7). But while you’re at it, remember that we do not live by bread alone. We live by the promises the Lord has made to us (Matthew 4:4). We have no security in the riches created on earth. We find our security and trust in God Almighty (1 Timothy 6:17).

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