Money Matters

The news media and political pundits have been throwing around terms like socialism, communism, and capitalism with quite a bit of regularity lately. With the hope of clarifying some things, I begin my article with some simple definitions

Socialism: You have two cows. The government takes one of your cows and gives it to your neighbor.

Communism: You have two cows. The government seizes both and provides you with milk. You wait in line for your share of the milk, but it's so long that the milk is sour by the time you get it.

Capitalism: You have two cows. You lay one off, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when she drops dead.

I’m not sure if these definitions adequately describe for us these governmental and financial systems. Truth be told, most people are more concerned with whether or not they can make ends meet than with the definitions regarding their economic systems. However, I am sure that the Scriptures give us sound advice regarding our finances no matter the economic system and no matter the economic circumstances we find ourselves in.

As we scan the headlines on the worldwide web or in the local newspaper we need to remember that the Bible speaks to our world and to our personal situations.

As we read “Stock Market loses 50% of It’s Value Since Last Year” we are reminded of Proverbs 23:4-5 which admonishes us, “Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”
Biblical Headline: The only thing we can count on in regard to money is that it will fly away.

As we try and get our arms around “401K’s Causing Many to Reconsider Retirement Plans”, we note Matthew 6:19-21 - “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Biblical Headline: Our treasure must be in heaven not on earth.

It is alarming to read “Unemployment Could Go Above 10%”, therefore, we must embrace Matthew 6:25 & 33 - “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?.... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Biblical Headline: We’ll have what we need as we put Him first.
It is somewhat apocalyptic to see, “California Drought May lead to East Coast Food Shortages”. Therefore, we must be find comfort in the words of David in Psalm 37:25 - “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
Biblical Headline: God will take care of His children.

Sadly we read, “12% of Borrowers Behind on Mortgages or In Foreclosure”. We know from Proverbs 22:7 that, “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Biblical Headline: Understand the consequence of debt.

It is troublesome to be informed that, “Decline in Charitable Giving Hits Non-Profits”. In this light we must live out 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 - Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
Biblical Headline: God wants us to be generous in spite of, not because of, our circumstances.

Finally, it may be true for some that “Individuals in Depression Over Recession”. However, this need not be the case for us. We can claim Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’. So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Newsflash: What we have or do not have does not define us. God’s presence in our lives is what makes the ultimate difference.

Dave Watson
An Urban Christian