Christians and money

[jelaine]

This is not something I like to talk about but I am curious about other believers opinions of God, Christians (real ones) and money.

I've been following the REAL Jesus for a year and a half, since then, I've gone through 7 jobs, 4 churches and 3 moves (can you say uncomfortable flesh) I don't ask God for money, I just thank Him and praise Him for taking care of me I am not rich by anymeans, and I suppose I should share a bit more about my financial spendings, honestly, I do not go girl shopping, whenver I need something I pray and God usually gets it for me at a garage sale super cheap (not too long ago a coffee maker for $2) except for one time last year I needed a vacum and I had to buy a new one for $50.

However as of TODAY I could not pay my rent on time, I am behind in bills and can't afford food or gas this week (please pray) So the scriptures cannot be broken and

psalm 84:11 says "No good thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly" and psalm 34:10 says "That young lions suffer lack and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not want any good thing"

So in the book the Rev Jesus says in 2:9 to the church in Smyrna (one of only two HE didn't have ANYTHING bad to say about) I know thy works, they tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) ....

so what do you all think about my situation .... (I am begining to question my salvation over this!)

Am I being disobedint in some area, or is this just a part of the curse, honestly forgive me for being bluntly rude but I am not interested in religious banter that I've heard a bunch of times already, I am just curious about what real followers of Jesus have experienced, and what their BIBLICAL take on the situation is, which is why I posted in the Bible study section .... Thank you And Love you!

[scrappergirl]

not knowing your full situation, it sounds like you are frugal with your money, which is good stewardship.
i have been through good times and lean times (very lean...we fell behind on our mortgage two years ago and it took almost a year to catch up, meanwhile we fell behind on everythign else trying to get the mortgage up to date). Sometimes we live from paycheck to paycheck, there have LITERALLY been times that we have had *NO* food in the house and no money in the bank, and yet, we are still here. God was faithful. WHen things seemed bleakest, there was always a light that shined. Sometimes that meant that we had to humble ourselves BIGTIME and ask a friend to help with food or groceries (which they are always willing to do, as we would be and have been).

and i have to be honest, we are NOT good stewards, so, in THEORY, we deserve the hard times that come our way.
And yet....God has been faithful.
He has provided where provision has been necessary. Sometimes the provision is not what WE expect but it is what He provides and it gets the job done, so to speak.

I dont know why you are hitting hard times right now, but I do know that God IS in control, that He loves you even though you are struggling and that He has a plan and can and will use this struggle for good.

I hope that helps.
:hugs

[CitySearcher]

I believe God looks upon the heart of the giver. Lending someone $10 and not worrying about payback, buying a meal for a friend so you can witness to them, taking a box of food from your house & giving it to someone in need, helping the widowed lady down the street with her yard work, etc.

So many things can add up to tithes and offerings when one is in the will of God. The standard of giving exactly %10 to a certain church every week or month is very good if you can afford it, but if you don't have much cash flow, how can you help those around you in need during the week? Giving of ourselves in Christ's love is much more important than how much cash we lay in the plate at services.

God will reward those who give of their time, prayers, support, love....
Don't forget how important those tithes and offerings are to the body of Christ, and it may help you not to worry about whether you are giving enough to the Lord.

God bless. -CS

[jelaine]

Thanks scrappergirl and city searcher ... Honestly I can see where I went wrong now. I am not a horrible steward, but I am not the best either ... after "Searching the scriptures" to find out whether it was so, I realized there is no 10% mandate for the NT saints, or even the OT saints, there was for food to israel, but that was after they entered the promised land, and it was food (grain) so I began to ask God "Where would you have me to give" I felt silly giving to programs that were already loaded to begin with, (IE giving $ to a billy graham crusade, or christian childrens fund) So I when I realized that giving a ten percent mandate was not mandatory, God stretched my giving to be more than that at times, sometimes buying bus passes for people etc, but then everything changed all at once, God moved me, into a different house, got me a different job, and all my bills went from zero to sixty at once. So Thanks for the conviction and edification. Pray for me to be a better steward and I will pray for you guys ok! It is greatly appriciated :bighug

[scrappergirl]

and ya know what? that ten percent thingie...it was more than that if you really dig into it.
So, no, I don't think we MUSt keep the 10% law...i think that it is something determined between God and each individual person...and the crux of it is WILLINGNESS to give what God asks you to give. I can give 50% grudgingly, but I will not reap any kind of blessing from it, because I am giving it for the wrong reasons with the wrong attitude. God knows that.
i have been in both positions, and i have to be honest here...when i gave willingly and wished i had the money to give more, financially things were more stable for us than when i gave with a tight fist and wished i could keep what i was giving. suddenly our finances became very tight, and NOTHING had changed in our bills or anything. There was only one reason i could attribute to it, and that was my attitude in what i gave.

ALso, God doesn't really NEED our money does He? He is the one who allowed us to have it in the first place. I think He uses our finances to bring us to a place of letting go, of obedience with a smile instead of a frown. He wants our hearts not our cash, our talents, our time, our willingness to give Him ALL of us, not just what's in our wallets.

jmho, though.:)

[Robbinson]

This is not something I like to talk about but I am curious about other believers opinions of God, Christians (real ones) and money.

I've been following the REAL Jesus for a year and a half, since then, I've gone through 7 jobs, 4 churches and 3 moves (can you say uncomfortable flesh) I don't ask God for money, I just thank Him and praise Him for taking care of me I am not rich by anymeans, and I suppose I should share a bit more about my financial spendings, honestly, I do not go girl shopping, whenver I need something I pray and God usually gets it for me at a garage sale super cheap (not too long ago a coffee maker for $2) except for one time last year I needed a vacum and I had to buy a new one for $50.

However as of TODAY I could not pay my rent on time, I am behind in bills and can't afford food or gas this week (please pray) So the scriptures cannot be broken and

psalm 84:11 says "No good thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly" and psalm 34:10 says "That young lions suffer lack and hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not want any good thing"

So in the book the Rev Jesus says in 2:9 to the church in Smyrna (one of only two HE didn't have ANYTHING bad to say about) I know thy works, they tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) ....

so what do you all think about my situation .... (I am begining to question my salvation over this!)

Am I being disobedint in some area, or is this just a part of the curse, honestly forgive me for being bluntly rude but I am not interested in religious banter that I've heard a bunch of times already, I am just curious about what real followers of Jesus have experienced, and what their BIBLICAL take on the situation is, which is why I posted in the Bible study section .... Thank you And Love you!


Jelaine:

I'm sorry to hear about your financial struggles - that can't be easy. I do believe that God will provide for us (as scripture tells us so), but I do not believe this is necessarily monetarily. I am not a believer in the "popular" WOF idea that God will bless believers with financial success - nor do I believe that poverty (or other bad times) are a sign of lack of salvation or punishment in any respect. I believe our faith will sustain our spirits - and that God will find away to help us get through it - but it may be a struggle. God has not promised us an easy life, but a blessed one through the joy of knowing Him. There certainly are many stories (which I believe and have witnessed) of those who have tithed when stretched, and then received multiples back in what appears to be a gift from God (and maybe it is - most probably it is and if it happened to me, I would certainly attribute it to God, and thank God for it) - but we can't come to expect it.

So, utlimately, we must find our own way to try to make it financially - in hard times, hopefully our friends/brothers and sisters can help in support.

I'm praying for you now and I hope that your financial situation improves - but please don't lose faith in your salvation - if you have faith and are saved - nothing can take that away from you.

Regards

[Jany]

Jelaine, those are great questions you've asked :)

I believe that our Lord God says we should be good stewards of everything He has given us which includes money. Sure there may be hard times, and He expects that we will experience those times (I don't know anyone who hasn't, btw). But please don't question your salvation when hard times come upon you :)

Pay your bills, buy food for you and family and do what you can for His ministry - He understands that there are times when 10pct just isn't possible - but what we do give, give with a loving heart - that is what matters <><

[scrappergirl]

robbinson,
good post.
:)

[jelaine]

and ya know what? that ten percent thingie...it was more than that if you really dig into it.
So, no, I don't think we MUSt keep the 10% law...i think that it is something determined between God and each individual person...and the crux of it is WILLINGNESS to give what God asks you to give. I can give 50% grudgingly, but I will not reap any kind of blessing from it, because I am giving it for the wrong reasons with the wrong attitude. God knows that.
i have been in both positions, and i have to be honest here...when i gave willingly and wished i had the money to give more, financially things were more stable for us than when i gave with a tight fist and wished i could keep what i was giving. suddenly our finances became very tight, and NOTHING had changed in our bills or anything. There was only one reason i could attribute to it, and that was my attitude in what i gave.

ALso, God doesn't really NEED our money does He? He is the one who allowed us to have it in the first place. I think He uses our finances to bring us to a place of letting go, of obedience with a smile instead of a frown. He wants our hearts not our cash, our talents, our time, our willingness to give Him ALL of us, not just what's in our wallets.

jmho, though.:)

Wow excellent scrappergirl ... excellent! I am amazed at your wisdom and its totally true too! When I hit hard times, I become what I call an emotional giver but God always rewards .... one time not too long ago (a month ago) I lost a job and God asked me to give away half of the $ I had to live on until I found new employment. I was obedient, but out of fear. however that night, He got me another job interview, and that evening I was offered the job. His supernatural blessings happen like that .... but I am also convicted as I said before to give more as I should in a steady manner, and maybe rethink my hearts positions on this.... thank you body of Jesus Christ for coming and strengthening a weak bone in a time of need :bighug

[scrappergirl]

i think its important that we remember that HE is in control, regardless of our actions.
So many times we look at spiritual things like tithing as if they are NOT spiritual things...as if they are just another business venture. lol.
but its not like that.
I think God brings us to the end of ourselves (in many ways, not just financially) so that we can rely on Him and remember WHO it is that we live for. Its so easy to forget in this rotten world.