The Bible On Earning

What’s the most published and most read book in history, containing more than 2300 references to money and worth more than its weight in gold? It's the Bible, of course. All wisdom is found within its pages - and some verses about earning money may surprise you. In today's Faith and Finance, Rob does some exploring. What does the Bible say about earning? Let’s start in the Book of John chapter 14, verse 27 where Jesus says, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Peace to you was a common greeting among Jews in the first century A.D., and it’s repeated often throughout the New Testament. Jesus means that true peace comes from knowing that we’re reconciled with God through faith in Him. But what, you ask, does it have to do with earning a living? Perhaps the most common fear we have in this world is not having enough money. To overcome that fear, Jesus tells us that by focusing on God, everything we need will be added to us. When we rely on our own power to provide the world becomes a scary place. So we have to be reminded constantly that God owns everything - that He is our Provider, not just of wealth, but even our skills and abilities to acquire it. Deuteronomy 8:18 reads, 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. A covenant is a promise, and God always keeps His promises. Of course, we have to do our part. Proverbs 12:11 tells us, Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. And in Proverbs 14:23 we read, In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. We also read in Proverbs 12:24, The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Those verses are pretty straightforward, but sometimes people are confused by Ecclesiastes 5:3 which has a similar message. It reads, For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. A common interpretation is that when we’re diligent about our business during the day, we’ll have peaceful dreams at night - but idle talk accomplishes nothing. So we must work heartily wherever God calls us and He’ll provide the rest. Believing that leads to contentment. Of course, we’re to use our brains as well as our hands when we work. We should plan carefully in all that we set out to do, whether that’s earning, saving or giving. In Luke 14, Jesus tells us to consider carefully the cost of discipleship, but it’s a message we can apply to all areas of life, including how we manage our money. Jesus says, For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. And of course, as witnesses for Christ we must be totally honest in all that we do. Psalm 37 tells us, Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. Now, in Luke 16:8 and 9, we find a passage that seems to contradict that, and sometimes confuses people. There, Jesus tells us, For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. Is Jesus telling us to acquire wealth dishonestly? Absolutely not. He’s saying that worldly people are great at using their money for worldly pursuits. And that believers should use their earnings effectively to advance God’s kingdom, such as caring for the poor. Our purpose on earth is to honor God in all we do, and that includes earning money and giving. If you’re afraid to give more,consider Malachi 3:10. It reads,Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: How should you invest $125,000 in savings and $30,000 in stock if you are age 63, being forced to retire due to ill-health, and your wife is still working and covering your expenses and health insurance, and, should you claim Social Security now? Is it preferable to maximize contributions to your husband's 401k with a 6% match, your 457 with no match, or your Health Savings Account? Should you take a lump sum or monthly payment from your pension if you are age 60 and about to retire, and the monthly payment would cover your expenses and you have an additional $600,000 in a 401k? Should you take funds out of your retirement savings to pay $75,000 cash for a replacement vehicle, or take out a loan if you and your husband are age 65 and living on your pension and $1.4 million in retirement savings? How can you check the value of WWII savings bonds you found in your father's records if you have the serial numbers but no other information. (Rob referred the caller to treasurydirect.gov). Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community, and download the free FaithFi app. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1085/29