Bless the People, Teach them God’s Truth about Money

Harrison Ford is one of the most recognizable actors of our generation. Ford was being interviewed and was asked about the characters that he plays in the movies. This is what he said, “I generally play an ordinary man who does extraordinary things under extenuating circumstances.”

Most of us would have to admit that we too are ordinary individuals. Unlike Ford, we will never appear on the silver screen and yet God has placed within us a desire for the extraordinary, for significance, and meaning. We need a cast of characters to help us achieve our God given potential. This is where a pastor can help. It is the pastor’s responsibility to lead the people he shepherds into every area of life God has promised to bless them. Finances or money is one of those areas.

Some pastors are hesitant about addressing the issue of money. When giving the qualifications of a pastor, Paul said in I Timothy 3:3 he is not to be “….greedy of filthy lucre,” (KJV). To put that in modern Mississippi vernacular that means he is not to be a money grabber. The NASB puts it this way, “free from the love of money.” The pastor who shy’s away from addressing the issue of money and finance’s with the congregation, for fear of being labeled a “money grabber”, is guilty of negligence. There are roughly 2,000 verses in the Bible dealing with money and possessions.

Jesus said, ““No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24 NASB) God is not against us having things, but He does not favor things (including money) having us. English novelist Henry Fielding said, “Make money your God, and it will plague you like the devil.”

The Decalogue begins with this command, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Pastors do their congregations a great service when they remind them of this truth. When the nation of Israel forsook the worship of the one true God and worshipped false gods they were thrown into religious confusion. Is it any wonder why so many professing Christian’s are in spiritual disarray considering the fact that money and materialism have captured their hearts crowding out all thoughts about God and Heaven?

Pastor, do the people a favor and teach them God’s truth about money and possessions. Even though we are ordinary men and women we serve an extraordinary God who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think….even with our finances! When we are faithful to Him with our money we are on the right path to significance and meaning.

Because HE Lives,

Rick Blythe
Director, Stewardship/Prayer Ministries
Mississippi Baptist Convention Board