DOES GOD CARE WHETHER WE MAKE A PROFIT?

James, a plumber in his 50’s, looks worried. “I should have saved up a lot of money when I was younger so I don’t have to face such problems now,” he moans. “I get called by the main contractor only when he has secured a contract.” Plumbing work is getting infrequent and irregular.

His dire financial situation is worsened by the fact he married late. He still has to support his daughter in secondary school. His son has just finished school; he is at his wits end trying to find ways and means to fund his higher education. Osteoarthritis of the knee has limited his ability to take in more jobs. Furthermore, long-term medication for the ailment is a drain on his meagre savings.

                                                                     

Is God’s wisdom only relevant in guiding us along the correct moral path? Has it no relevance to our finances? Doesn't God care for our financial well-being?

Why not? “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). His wisdom, guidance and blessings apply to every area of our lives. And that includes the creation of wealth, gaining favour in the eyes of our employers, how to run a profit-making business and how to effectively manage our personal finances.

In fact, strange as it may seem to some of us, God delights in helping His children make a profit:

Thus says the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you to profit,
    who leads you in the way you should go.

(Isaiah 48:17).

Which father does not want his children to prosper in their jobs or businesses? “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).

What He asks of us is that we are humble and willing to trust Him. Are willing to put Him first? Do we treasure God’s wisdom above our own understanding?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6).

If we realise He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, then we can better grasp the fact that God is the One who gives us the ability to generate wealth.

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,  that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

(Deuteronomy 8:18).

Let us now move on to consider Psalm 37 which is power-packed with references related to our financial well-being.

In Psalm 37, we read that God promises to prosper the righteous if we trust Him (verse 3); if we are willing to wait patiently (verse 7) for Him to vindicate us. But we must forsake the negatives such as anger, fretting and envy over evil men who prosper (verses 7b-8).

The promises of security (verse 3), abundant prosperity (verse 11) and the right to possess the land (verses 9,11, 22, 29, 34) all tie in with the promise of material blessings for the faithful.

However, believers should not compare their wealth with that of evil men as “better is a little that the righteous has than the abundance of the wicked” (verse 16). Let’s be grateful for whatever God has blessed us. Enough is enough. Don’t be greedy. 

God supplies our needs (Philippians 4:19). Sometimes He fulfills some of our desires as well. In fact, one of the most quoted verses is Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

The righteous will not be put to shame during lean times (verse 19). He will be able to give generously (verse 21). Even his children will be a blessing to others (verse 26).

So let us meditate on God’s word, affirm the truth and cling on to His promises. The righteous is like a tree planted by streams of water, thriving and constantly bearing fruit because its roots go deep into the ground to draw water and nourishment:

Blessed is the man

    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

    planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

    and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3).

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TREADING THE LESS WELL-BEATEN PATH

Why mention dying to self, taking up the cross, counting the cost of discipleship? *

These terms, anyway, have rarely been heard over the pulpit nowadays. We’re more comfortable with topics touching on success, blessings, fulfillment, health and wealth. Isn’t it more about living out my dreams and vision?

We are understandably like that because dying to self is painful—even for Jesus.

As a man, Jesus was fearful of the prospect of a slow, agonising death at the cross and, more so, being forsaken by God when all the sins of the world were heaped on Him. He wanted to know whether such suffering could be avoided.  Besides going to Calvary, did God have any other alternative plans for Him?

Nevertheless, Jesus was willing to set aside His own desires—if death was the only way by which sinful men can be forgiven of their sins and be reconciled to God. Once Jesus was convinced God the Father would have it no other way, He would drink the cup of sorrow down to the dregs.

Christ endured the shame and agony of the cross because He envisioned the joy that would be His when many, many lost souls would be reconciled to God through his sacrificial death.

“When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins” (Isaiah 53:11).

This is the kind of burden God would have us carry. It involves self-denial and sacrifice. It often means moving out of our comfort zone. It may even mean persecution.

                                                                     

Christ’s painful struggle—but eventual obedience—at Gethsemane is an example to us. It challenges our conventional notion of the Christian life as primarily one of blessing.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

“While I was with you, I decided to deal with only one subject—Jesus Christ, who was crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Treading the well-beaten path, the one which the majority would take, might lead to drastic consequences.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

 * Carrying the cross and counting the cost

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’” (Luke 14:27-30).

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