Bible Studies for Life
Sunday, June 29
“If Your Money Could Talk”
Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:24-26; 13:11; 15:16-17; 16:11; 23:4-5
By Janice H. Fortenberry
Ask any adult about money, and I think you will hear the same thing: “I don’t have enough.” It takes so much to live
these days that making money to provide for our families is a constant concern. So what should be our attitude about money? How can we
maintain a balance between pressing needs and trusting God’s ability to provide?
This lesson is designed to help us exhibit Godly wisdom in our everyday lives in how we earn and use money. Where our money goes, how we
get it and the value we place on it speaks volumes about each of us.
The first of the focal passages (3:9-10 and 15:16-17) clearly underscores that we are to acknowledge that all blessings come from God.
The Law of Moses required the Israelites to give the first portion of crops to the priests to be offered as a gift to God during what was
known as the Feast of First Fruits (Lev. 2:14; 23:9-14). This ceremony reminded the people of how God provides.
We should be reminded in this day and age as well. Everything we have is a blessing from God. We should be eager to return some of what
we make to Him in humble gratitude.
Secondly, we are to never fall in love with money (23:4-5). Yes, there are wonderful things that money can buy. It’s important, however,
to realize that money cannot buy the most important things in life. It cannot buy true joy and contentment; it cannot buy health; and it
cannot buy love. So we are to “give up trying so hard to get rich.” (23:4 CEV)
Greediness is destructive. Instead, we are to put our energies on those things that really matter, like cultivating loving families and
friendships. Remember, the best things in life are truly free. The only cost is tender attention and the currency is selfless love.
Another caution about money is to earn it honestly (13:11; 16:11). We show wisdom and please God by earning money through diligent work
and fair practices. These verses carry a word of warning: Get your money the wrong way and you stand to lose more than you gain.
We all know wealthy people who have succeeded through fraudulent practices. On the surface they appear successful. But a question begs:
How do they feel on the inside? Are they content or are they constantly looking over their shoulders?
A related proverb carries a stern warning for getting money the wrong way: “Cheating to get rich is a foolish dream and no less than
suicide.” (21:6 CEV) Cheating kills character, it kills relationships and it kills self-respect. Given what’s at stake, I’m not sure
dishonest dollars are worth it. The price tag for wrongfully gained success may be entirely too high.
And, finally, we are to be eager to give more than we take (11:24-26). Few characteristics are as sweet as a generous spirit—the
willingness to give freely with no strings attached. Generosity can take several forms. It may involve money but it can take other forms as
well, such as time and genuine concern. Regardless, giving to others always enriches the giver if the giving is done with the right motive.
How does it enrich us? Doing for others helps to develop unselfishness. When we shift our gaze from our own travails to the needs of
others we always have much to gain. It not only pleases God, it helps us learn to love in a greater dimension and to live beyond ourselves.
And what is the right motive? We should never give to others just to benefit ourselves. Our love—and generosity—should be without
condition, without the need for recognition and without a boastful attitude.
And what is the benefit of generosity? The answer is in the last part of verse 25: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (NIV)
Yes, it takes a lot of money to live these days. According to 2007 data from the World Bank’s International Comparison Program, the
United States ranked 20th among the world’s most expensive economies. The pressure is on all of us to make as much money as possible to
provide for such things as healthcare, housing, long-term care of the elderly and educations for our children without losing ground financially.
When do we have “just enough money?” We are in proper balance when the challenges of acquiring money and using money are tempered and
guided by Godly wisdom.
Fortenberry is a member of First Church, McComb.