MONEY GOD OR GIFT JAMIE MUNSON

Copyright 2012 Jamie Munson

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher. 978-0-9887543-3-1

WHY THIS BOOK EXISTS

THIS BOOK IS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE MONEY.
No one can serve two masters, Jesus said, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). There is no middle ground.

THIS BOOK IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE MONEY.

Its not moneys fault that were prone to love it, live for it, and even die for it. Gods provision is a gift, 1 the Lord grants wealth, 2 and money answers everything (Ecclesiastes 10:19). If our hearts belong to Jesus and our lives are devoted to his mission, we need not avoid, demonize, or fear money. We can love God, love people, and use money to enjoy life and do ministry.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THE CHURCH.

New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg calls stewardship of material possessions the most important test-case of ones profession of discipleship, 3 and names materialism as the single biggest competitor with authentic Christianity for the hearts and souls of millions in our world today. 4 As a pastor, I want to see our churchand all churcheslled with people devoted to Jesus, not money.

THIS BOOK IS FOR NEW CHRISTIANS.

We have so many new Christians at Mars Hill Church. I was once one of them. Before I met Jesus at age 19, money was my god. I couldnt wait to get rich, so I racked up debt by spending money on myself. When I learned how to worship God with my money rather than worshiping my money as god, his grace changed my life. I want to encourage new Christians, and help them learn what God says about money, so that they can experience more of his goodness as well.

THIS BOOK IS FOR LONGTIME CHRISTIANS.

First Timothy 4:16 says, Watch your life and doctrine closely (NIV). I want to exhort every
1 2 3 4

Deut. 8:18; 1 Cor. 4:7. Prov. 10:22; Eccles. 5:19. Craig L. Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches (Downers Grove, IL: InverVarsity Press, 2000), 127. Ibid., 132.

Christian in both areas: know the biblical teachings on money and apply them to life. We do this closely through ongoing repentance, wise counsel, life in community, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Without discipline and help, were all prone to reject or abuse the gift of money.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW JESUS.
God works through his people (the church) to reach others with the gospel. If we use our money wisely and give faithfully, more people will meet Jesusand we will love him more. If youre not sure about Jesus, I pray that this book would help you come to love and understand him. He is a good God.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOUR JOY.

Men and women, rich and poor, young and oldeverybody has something they treasure, and where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 5 This book is to point your heart, your treasure, and your life to the source of all joy, goodness, and love: Jesus.

Luke 12:34.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to Jesus for your grace upon grace, including my wife (Crystal) and our four kiddos (Caleb, Kara, Orin, and Haley) who top the list of blessings youve graced me with. Thank you to Andrew Myers and the many others who contributed to this project. Without your faithful help, this book doesnt exist. Thank you Mars Hill Church for being all about Jesus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
This book is designed to be read and studied over the course of three weeks. Each weeks worth of reading includes:
Scripture A passage from Luke 12. Teaching Five instructional chapters per week (three weeks total) Discussion Questions and thoughts for consideration in small groups, families, couples, or personal reection

INTRODUCTION (LUKE 12:47)

What are you afraid of?

WEEK ONE: RICH TOWARD GOD (LUKE 12:1321)

1. Haves and Have-Nots: Life in Gods Economy 2. Is Saving a Sin: Matters of the Heart 3. Cheerful Sacrice: The Bible and Giving 4. Freedom from MasterCardPriceless: The Bible and Spending 5. Retirement Isnt in Scripture: The Bible and Saving

WEEK TWO: LIFE IS MORE THAN FOOD (LUKE 12:2234)

6. Wants vs. Needs Priorities: Is God Telling You to Get a Big Screen? 7. Redeeming Worry: Hedged Bets Always Lose 8. Give What You Cannot Keep: A Lifestyle of Generosity 9. Invisible Treasure: Gain What You Cannot Lose 10. Churches Are All About Money: And Other Excuses

WEEK THREE: THE FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER (LUKE 12:3548)

11. Be Ready: Budget for Judgment Day 12. Stewardship for the Whole Family: Money Advice for Kids, Singles, and Couples 13. Die Before Your Money Does: Establishing a Legacy 14. It Starts Today: Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is 15. Conclusion: What Can God Do With 10,000 People and $300 Million?

APPENDIX
A. For Further Reading B. Budget Template

INTRODUCTION

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not ve sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus (Luke 12:47)

WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

TWAS GRACE THAT TAUGHT MY HEART TO FEAR, AND GRACE MY FEARS RELIEVED. JOHN NEWTON (AMAZING GRACE)
The best place to start a book about money is not with budgets and balance sheets, economics and nancial theory, or debt management and career development. The best place to begin is your fear. The book of Proverbs states, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (1:7). Likewise, Jesus prefaces his teaching in Luke 12 with a sobering reminder to fear God, the one who possesses sole power to both destroy and preserve. This should elicit a certain amount of raw, gut-wrenching frighta common emotion exhibited by those who encounter God throughout Scripture 6 but fear in this case carries a much deeper meaning.

BAD FEAR
Fear and worry reveal us, writes theologian and psychologist Dr. Ed Welch. They reveal the things that we love and value. 7 In turn, the things that we love and value are the things that we worship. For example, children, money, and friendships become idols when we fear death, insecurity, and rejection. Our happiness then gets tied up in the well-being of our kids, the size of our bank balance, or the health of our relationshipsall of which will eventually falter and fail. Everybody is afraidafraid of suering, rejection, failure, embarrassmentbecause everybody cares about something, even if its just themselves. And so we pour out our resources, our energy, and our days in an attempt to protect what we love from whatever threatens it. The eort is in vain, however, because children die. People lose their jobs. Families disintegrate. Houses burn down. Friends move away. Stock markets crash. We waste life by worrying about things we cant control and fearing things we cant avoid. The Bible
6 7

Exodus 20:18; Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 1:17. Edward T. Welch, Running Scared (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2007), 13.

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calls this striving after wind. 8 In the end, it is follythe opposite of wisdom.

GOOD FEAR
If fear is unavoidable, then what we fear is of great importance. The fear of the Lord is not a caution against an abusive father with cosmic mood swings and unpredictable behavior. Fear of the Lord leads us to worship him: acknowledging with reverence and awe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, always good Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The fear of the Lord is the only thing that can prevent us from succumbing to all of the other fears that steal our lives away. We cant control anything, but God controls everything, and we can trust him because he is innite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 9 The fear of the Lord is wisdom because only God deserves our worship. To live otherwise is folly.

FEAR AND MONEY

When used with wisdom, money is a gift from Goda tool for worshiping Jesus and honoring God. What that looks like is the subject of this book. Without wisdom, however, were likely to fear, worship, and live for our money, which makes it our god. Fear of the money god is slavery. Theres never enough and it oers no salvation. Fear of the Lord is wisdom and freedom. When an unexpected bill shows up in the mail, when the car breaks down, when a major business decision looms, or when foreclosure seems imminent, we are free to fear not, knowing that our future, our eternity, and our lives are in the stable, trustworthy care of his hand: Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can condently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. 10 In the following pages well discuss stewardship, budgets, priorities, giving, and more. But a heart-level love, worship, and fear of the Lord is the beginning of it all.

8 9

Eccles. 2:17. Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q.4. Heb. 13:56.

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RICH TOWARD GOD -PART ONE-

Someone in the crowd said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you? And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ones life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And he told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops? And he said, I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
Jesus (Luke 12:1321)

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PART ONE DISCUSSION

Discussion: Which column (gratitude or greed) most accurately describes your life? In which areas are you encouraged? Where do you need to repent and seek forgiveness? (page 18) Discussion: Where in your life are you prone to grumbling? What does grumbling sound like in your heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you resist the temptation to grumble. Cultivate a heart of gratitude by sharing evidence of Gods grace in your life, in your community, and in the promises of Scripture. (page 19) Discussion: What is your gut-level response to the call to giving? How does that align (or not) with how you believe God wants you to give? What is holding you back from giving in response to Gods grace? (page 20) Discussion: Which aspect of biblical giving is most difficult for you: cheerful, sacrificial, or regular? What does this struggle indicate about your heart? (page 27) Discussion: Are you prone to spend or hoard more money than you should? What does repentance look like for you? What fears compel you to hoard or spend more money than what you believe brings honor to God? (page 33)

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CHAPTER ONE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS: LIFE IN GODS ECONOMY

ONES LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS POSSESSIONS. LUKE 12:15
The Rich Fool of Jesus parable could be a poster boy for the American Dream. He worked his land, earned a good living, and planned to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But he could also pass for what is too often the American Reality. Ruled by selshness and greed, he ignored the One who created the land, the One who made it produce a harvest, and the One who numbered his very days.

BIG IDEA: STEWARDSHIP

Everything we have comes from God and belongs to God: life, family, money, resources, time, job, talents . . . everything. 11 We are stewards of what God has given us. He owns it; we use it. In addition to the breath in our lungs and the food on our table, through the work of Jesus God has given us forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life: an inheritance that is imperishable, undeled, and unfading, kept in heaven. 12 All of this is much more than we deserve, and though many Christians would nod their head in agreement, few of us actually live as though that were true. Rather than cultivating humble appreciation we covet a higher standard of living. Rather than gratitude for his grace we exhibit greed for our own gain. The dierence between these two outlooks inuences and directs every aspect of life:

11 12

John 3:27; 1 Cor. 4:7. Pet. 1:4.

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Gratitude
Attitude Humility (Phil. 2:3)

Greed

Perspective

Desire

Money Possessions Church

Job Family Future Worship Identity Giving

Grumbling (Phil. 2:15) Entitlement: I am a good Grace: I am a sinner who deperson who deserves serves death but Jesus paid the heavenplus a comfortable, price and gave me his perfect pain-free existence in righteousness. the meantime. Jesus is not enough. I want Jesus is enough to satisfy wealth / fame / comfort / power my life. as well. I earn. Therefore my money is God gives. Therefore my money mine, and I use it however is his, and I use it to glorify him. I please. Contentment: I have enough Covetous: I never have enough Serve as a member of Be served as a consumer Gods family Work begrudgingly for the Work heartily for the Lord; culman; becoming bitter and tivating thanks for Gods provijealous against others sion (Deut. 8:17; Col. 3:23) (James 3:16) A blessing to embrace A burden to escape Eternal: optimistic/hopeful (2 Temporal: pessimistic/anxious Cor. 4:79) Time, energy, and resources go Time, energy, and resources go to God to me My abilities and my Jesus and his achievement achievements Guilt- or gain-motivated (or Generous non-existent)

Discussion: Which column most accurately describes your life? In which areas are you encouraged? Where do you need to repent and seek forgiveness?

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SPIRITUAL HAVES
Gods grace is a cosmic reality with enormous implications. In Jesus we have everything we need for all eternity, and more than we deserve here on earth. Were all haves in Jesus. Even if all we have left is air in our lungs, thats still an occasion to praise him with our last breath because to live is Christ and to die is gain. 13 As for the have-nots in this scenario, theyre often recognizable by a nagging discontent. Listen for the grumbleperhaps its even echoing in your own heart, maybe when the oering bucket comes your way, or when its time to put the kids in the car and go to community group. Ongoing discontentment, entitlement, anger, resentment, and bitterness cloud conversation and douse any joy. Were all susceptible to the have-not mentality. It begins with a grumbling mood, says C.S. Lewis, and yourself still distinct from it: perhaps criticizing it. And yourself, in a dark hour, may will that mood, embrace it. Ye can repent and come out of it again. But there may come a day when you can do that no longer. 14 We can choose to grumble or we can choose to be grateful. 15 Little by little, our choice of mood sets the course for a day, which becomes a week, which becomes a year, which becomes the theme of our lifetime. Discussion: Where in your life are you prone to grumbling? What does grumbling sound like in your heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you resist the temptation to grumble. Cultivate a heart of gratitude by sharing evidence of Gods grace in your life, in your community, and in the promises of Scripture. Have-nots may be destitute or they may enjoy great wealth. Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea, which falls into the latter category: For you say, I am rich. I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 16 God measures rich and poor, haves and have-nots in terms of the heart. 17 We may prosper and need nothing, but without Jesus and his work in our hearts, we dont have anything. The life of

13 14 15 16 17

Phil. 2:21. C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (New York: HarperCollins, 2001), 7778. Col. 3:15. Rev. 3:17. 1 Sam. 16:7.

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Paul illustrates this well. He learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 18 Its all about Jesus.

PHYSICAL HAVE-NOTS
The spiritual reality that we have everything we need and more in Jesus should not lead us to neglect the physical have-nots in our communities and our world. 19 On the contrary, Pastor Tim Keller says, The grace of God makes Christ precious to us, so that our possessions, our money, our time have all become eternally and utterly expendable. 20 In fact, if we understand the immense value of our spiritual riches, our physical wealth pales in comparison and we will have no problem parting with our possessions. They used to be crucial to our happiness, Keller continues. They are not so now. 21 Far from an excuse not to help the poor, the spiritual haves view the riches of grace as a profound motivator. Every opportunity to give becomes an opportunity to demonstrate and share our truest, most valuable possession: the generosity, goodness, and good news of Jesus. If stewardship is a sign of a redeemed life, Blomberg says, then Christians will, by their new natures, want to give. 22 Discussion: What is your gut-level response to the call to giving? How does that align (or not) with how you believe God wants you to give? What is holding you back from giving in response to Gods grace?

18 19 20 21 22

Phil. 4:12. James 2:1517. Timothy J. Keller, Ministries of Mercy (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997), 63. Ibid. Craig L. Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 247.

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CHAPTER TWO IS SAVING A SIN: MATTERS OF THE HEART

I WILL SAY TO MY SOUL, SOUL, YOU HAVE AMPLE GOODS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS: RELAX, EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY. BUT GOD SAID TO HIM, FOOL! LUKE 12:1920
On the surface, the parable of the Rich Fool seems to discourage planning and saving because tonight could be the night when God will require our soul. Is it a sin to save up? Is preparing for the future evil? The Lord did not reprimand the Rich Fool for planning ahead. The guy was not only being greedy with his resources, he was also claiming preeminence over the God of destiny. Arrogance is our problemnot preparation. The book of James explains: Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a protyet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. . . . As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil (4:1316). Planning is not a sin. Wealth is not a sin. The Rich Fool earned his rebuke not because of his actions but in part because of the motivations harbored in his heart.

MOTIVES AND MEANS

Saving is a sinif its done for the wrong reasons. Same goes for spending, investing, and even giving. Any nancial transaction reveals our heart by presenting an opportunity to worship Jesus or worship ourselves. The signicance of the heart levels the playing eld between rich and poor because the treasure itself matters far less than how its stewarded. In his book, Doctrine, Pastor Mark Driscoll includes an entire chapter about stewardship. The Bible speaks of four ways in which treasure can be stewarded, he writes: 1) Righteous rich stewards gain their treasure by righteous means, such as working hard and investing wisely. Righteous rich stewards also manage their treasure righteously by 22

 2) 3) 4)

living within a reasonable budget, paying their taxes and bills, and giving generously. 23 Unrighteous rich stewards gain their treasure through sinful means, such as stealing and dishonest business practices, because their idolatry of money drives them toward greed. 23 Righteous poor stewards work hard, act honestly in business dealings, live within their means, stay out of debt, and live in contentment with the treasure God has appointed for them to manage. 23 Unrighteous poor stewards seek to gain their treasure through sinful means, such as free loading and stealing, but fail to succeed. [They] are prone to foolish spending . . . gambling, chasing get-rich schemes hoping to obtain wealth without wisdom or eort, and/or are lazy and do as little as possible. 23

Contrary to what many popular preachers teach, God does not require his people to be poor (poverty theology), nor does he promise that all of his disciples will be wealthy (prosperity theology). The money itself is merely a prop on the stage of Gods story, used or pursued for good or for ill depending on the intentions of the stewards heart.

THREE WAYS TO USE YOUR MONEY

Since stewardship is a gesture of the heart, it doesnt matter how much money is involved. Therefore, most of the guidelines found in the Bible apply to rich and poor alike. God does often challenge the rich directly and advocate for the poor, but rather than a lot of specicshow much to give, where to invest, and when to retirehe simply provides principles that help us live in such a way that honors him, protects us, and allows us great freedom to live within the all-encompassing framework of his wisdom. When it comes to money, we essentially have three options: give it, spend it, and save it. 24 The Bible includes lots of foundational instruction in each of these key areas of stewardship, so over the course of the next three chapters well consider what it looks like to honor God and live under his principles in the way that we give, spend, and save.

23 24

Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), 389390. For the purposes of this book, well consider investing to be a close relative of saving. Im indebted to Dave Ramsey for the give/

save/spend trio.

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CHAPTER THREE CHEERFUL SACRIFICE: THE BIBLE AND GIVING

SO IS THE ONE WHO LAYS UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF AND IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD. LUKE 12:21
Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than to receive, 25 not because you get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you do something nice for somebody, but because only in giving can you grow rich toward God and store up treasure in heaven. Giving breaks us out of orbit around our possessions, writes author Randy Alcorn. We escape their gravity, entering a new orbit around our treasures in heaven. 26 This describes a specic kind of giving, however: giving that honors God. It is quite possible to dishonor God by giving. It all depends on why youre giving. Our God Jesus is a giver, who though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 27 We give in gratitude to honor him and be like him so that more people would know him.

HONOR GOD BY GIVING BEFORE YOU SAVE OR SPEND.

Many give out of their leftovers. According to the leading research on Christian giving, 20 percent of all U.S. Christians give nothing to church, para-church, or nonreligious charities, 28 and the vast majority give very little. 29 But God requires the rstfruits of our labor, 30 without qualication. He loves us and wants us to trust in him and not our money. A couple in our church was facing steep medical bills after a serious car wreck. They met with a non-Christian legal counselor whose rst piece of advice was to stop giving to the church. They declined. A few months after the accident, the couples community group organized a fundraiser that provided an extra $4,000 toward medical expenses. Many people were blessed by this tangible demonstration of Jesus love among his people, and at least one man became a Christian in response! The Father proved faithful, and the couple was able to receive Gods gift without guilt or shame.
25 26 27 28 29 30

Acts 20:35. Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle (Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2001), 34. 2 Cor. 8:9. Christian Smith, Michael O. Emerson, and Patricia Snell, Passing the Plate (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), 29. Ibid., 34. Prov. 3:9.

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HONOR GOD BY GIVING CHEERFULLY.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes about a church in Macedonia that loves to give. When a need in Jerusalem arose, the Macedonians began begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (8:4). In commenting on this passage, Ralph Martin says, Normally we think of the fundraiser as begging the would-be donors. Here it is the donors, who could least aord it, who entreated Paul for the favor of having a part in this enterprise. 31 Paul draws many helpful principles from the Macedonians example. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 32 Money is a useful tool that God gives us to help others and spread the gospel. When we use it in this way, more people meet Jesus, move from death to life, and enjoy the same grace that has been given to us. When Mars Hill Church opened a campus near the University of Washington in fall 2010, the congregation exploded from three hundred to eight hundred in the rst week and thirty young men and women got baptized on the spot. It was an incredibly joyful celebration made possible by the many people who gave the resources that allowed us to buy the building, support the pastor, and pay the bills. When youre excited to see Jesus change lives, you get excited to play a part by giving. Its not a chore; its an honor.

HONOR GOD BY GIVING SACRIFICIALLY.

Paul also applauds the Macedonian congregation for giving beyond their means to help a church that was suering to an even greater degree. Despite hardship, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overowed in a wealth of generosity (8:2). He draws a connection between this sacrice and the ultimate sacrice of Jesus, who willingly sacriced his life in order to serve and save sinners. Our giving cannot equal Jesus giving, but its clear that, as his disciples, we are to contribute in similar sacricial fashion. As opposed to giving out of unnecessary abundance, we willingly give up something we could have had in order to take part in giving to support the work of the church and its mission.

HONOR GOD BY GIVING REGULARLY.

The Bible does not mandate a specic frequency, day, or time for giving to the church. We have
31 32

Quoted in Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 192. 2 Cor. 9:7.

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freedom to establish a regular plan that matches the rhythm of our life. For most people, this tends to be a monthly or twice-monthly contribution that aligns with pay schedule and budgeting practices. Regular giving requires us to live a disciplined life and also serves as a constant reminder that what we have does not truly belong to us. Irregular giving indicates poor stewardship: a reluctance to give, lack of planning, or laziness. Of course, regular giving does not rule out spontaneous giving. In fact, Jesus celebrates many instances of spur-of-the-moment generosity. 33 Regular giving habits are merely a helpful and necessary foundation upon which to build a more thoroughly generous life.

BIBLICAL GIVING PRINCIPLES

Giving Principle
Cheerful

If present

If absent

Excitement and joy to Giving feels like a loss and not a participate in the work of Jesus. privileged gain. Giving hurts a bit it requires going without something. Church giving occurs on a regular basis. Lack of faith and trust in Gods provision. Other priorities take precedent over God. Laziness, poor planning, and indierence lead to sporadic giving (usually guilt-based).

Sacricial

Regular

Discussion: Which aspect of biblical giving is most difficult for you: cheerful, sacrificial, or regular? What does this struggle indicate about your heart?

HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?

Regardless of what the Bible says about cheerfulness and sacrice, the little legalist inside all of us still wants to know where to draw the line: how much does God want from me? Old Testament law required Gods people to give a tithe (tenth) of their income to the church. 34 But, as Pastor Mark Driscoll writes, The total mandatory Old Testament tithe resulted in over 25 percent of a familys gross income going to God and ministry. 35 But God has never needed money, For every beast of the forest is mine, he says. I know all the birds of the hills and all that moves in the eld is mine. If I
33 34 35

Luke 10:30-37; John 12:18; Matt. 19:21. Num. 18:2129; 27:30. Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, Doctrine, 393; cf. Deut. 12:1011, 1718; 14:2229; Lev. 19:910; Neh. 10:3233.

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were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. 36 God doesnt need our money. What hes truly after is us. Psalm 50 continues: Oer to God a sacrice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me (1415). Giving is important because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 37 It is impossible to love God and not give. 38 Since giving is a matter of the heart, and since Jesus fullled the law, Gods people are to give as a grateful response to his love, not to fulll a pre-determined percentage or quota. Thats why the New Testament encourages giving without providing specic numbers, and reminds us that if we fail to give, we dont harm Godwe only harm ourselves (and our church, since were all part of the same body). Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, Scripture says. Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 39 Contrary to what many popular preachers have taught, bountifully does not solely refer to material gain. Its about spiritual blessings on earth and tangible treasures in heaven. The more we give generously (see chapter 8), the more we will store up treasure in heaven (see chapter 9), and the more we will see Jesus mission progress in our lifetime. Without a hard-and-fast percentage that mandates how much we give, were left with the biblical qualiers for generous giving: cheerful, sacricial, and regular. C.S. Lewis sums it up well: I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charities expenditure [giving] excludes them. 40 If our giving does not require us to trust God, theres a good chance were simply going through the motions. In my decade-plus of experience at Mars Hill, Ive often counseled and taught that 10 percent is a good place to start. For most people, 10 percent represents an amount that challenges
36 37 38 39 40

Ps. 50:1012. Matt. 6:21., Matt. 6:24., 2 Cor. 9:6., C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins, 2001), 86.

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them to walk faithfully in this area of their life. Depending on the circumstances of life, for some a tenth isnt enough. For others it may be too much. Craig Blomberg speculates, If most affluent Western Christians were to be honest about the extent of their surplus, they would give considerably higher than 10 percent. 41 In any case, the absence of a specic mandate creates dependence on God because we must actively seek his will for our nances. We cant identify a percentage and set it and forget it. Rather, giving is meant to be an ongoing, dynamic component of lives lived in worship of Jesus. When we understand the joy of giving in response to Gods grace, how much does God want becomes how much can I give?

41

Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 199.

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CHAPTER FOUR FREEDOM FROM MASTERCARD . . . PRICELESS: THE BIBLE AND SPENDING

TAKE CARE, AND BE ON GUARD AGAINST ALL COVETOUSNESS. LUKE 12:15

To store up treasure in heaven and grow rich toward God requires patience and delayed gratication: laughable concepts in the Google Age. We cant wait around for ve minutes let alone for eternity. Nowhere is this more obvious than in our spending habits. Debt is crushing millions of Americans. The average credit card debt per household with a credit card is about $7,300. 42 We spend on credit cards when we fail to plan, or when we covet things outside of our plan. These expenses usually seem harmless at the time, and we can easily rationalize spending beyond what we have:

Its a really good dealIm actually saving money. Ill make sure to spend less next month to make up for this months splurge. Buying this thing will allow me to be more efficient and productive so Ill actually end up making more money. Its been a tough dayI deserve to indulge.

Proverbs says, The borrower is the slave of the lender (22:7). The temptation to spend, spend, spend is so strong, however, that many of us all but close the shackles across our own wrists. To make matters worse, over-extending ourselves severely limits our ability to give, which in turn draws our hearts away from Jesus. Godly wisdom in spending is important not only because it honors the Lord, but also because it saves us from a life of slavery to the money god and his earthly treasures.

HONOR GOD BY LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANSDONT BE A SPENDER.

Spenders commit themselves to more obligations than they have money to make good on. All of their money is gone before it even comes in. Spenders arent always poor; successful businessmen,
42

The Federal Reserve Board. 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances: Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2004 to 2007. Prepared by Brian

K. Bucks, Arthur B. Kennickell, Traci L. Mach, and Kevin B. Moore, A45.

31

pro athletes, and lottery winners often succumb to rash consumption. I grew up as a spender in a family of spenders. As soon as I turned eighteen I got my rst credit card (known as free money cards in our household). I took it straight to the electronics store and maxed out the $500 limit in less than an hour. My brand new stereo with a ten-disc changer was so rad that somebody stole it a few days later. I got my rst credit card bill shortly thereafter and reality sunk in: I was stuck paying o a stereo that I didnt even own anymore. Spenders wind up in trouble because they dont have the ability to maintain their chosen lifestyle. This leads to stress and fear as any faith is choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature (Luke 8:14). Over-spending and consumer debt are completely antithetical to the worship of a God who calls us to persevere, endure, and bear fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).

HONOR GOD BY SPENDING WELLDONT BE A HOARDER.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the penny pinchers, the cheapskates, and the tightwads. Hoarders seek to maximize their savings and investments. Like spenders, hoarders may have billions or nickels. In either case, hoarders are never satised with how much is in the bank. Like the Rich Fool, they selshly tuck it away for a rainy day that may never come. Im not opposed to emergency funds or investments. On a functional level, however, hoarders place their faith in money as lifeline/security/savior. They collect it, bury it, and obsess over it rather than using it to multiply the church and help people in need. Jesus tells a story about three servants who each received a sum of money from their master before he left for some time. He returns to nd that two of the servants put their gift to use, doubling its value. The third servant, however, returns the original sum. I was afraid, he confesses, and I went and hid your [money] in the ground. 43 The master is enraged and casts the worthless servant into the outer darkness (25:30). God gave us money in part so that we can spend it. The temptation to overdo it is strong, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt do it at all. Like sex, food, drink, or any of Gods gifts, we can use money faithfully for great good and enjoyment. Take your spouse out on a nice date. Plan a vacation for your family. Fix up your house so that you can have people over and show hospitality. There is room for the periodic celebration of Gods good, material gifts, says Blomberg, even at times to a lavish

43

Matt. 25:25.

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extent. 44 With guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Word, it is possible to spend money in a way that is neither selsh, nor frivolous, nor sinfuland even honors God. Discussion: What fears compel you to hoard or spend more money than what you believe brings honor to God?

HONOR GOD BY GUARDING AGAINST COVETOUSNESS.

Like instant gratication, covetousness is widely accepted in our culture, and even seen as something of value. Prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens calls Thou shalt not covet the most questionable of the commandments. He argues, Is not envy a great spur to emulation and competition? 45 While there is a dierence between healthy ambition 46 and covetousness, which is idolatry, 47 greed and envy are inevitable components within the engine of a capitalist society. The American Dream has become one big covet-fest that empties consumer wallets and then some. This is the water we swim inwere already drenched and, unless we heed Jesus words to guard against covetousness, well drown and drag our church to the bottom with us. Well always be tempted to want more, but it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs 48 The alternative? Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 49 Such contentment requires the supernatural work of the Holy Spiritespecially for we the people of Western affluence. A good place to start is with the prayer found in Proverbs 30: Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me, Lest I be full and deny you and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor and stead and profane the name of my God.
44 45

Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 145 cf. John 2:111; 15:23; Mark 14:3. Christopher Hitchens, The New Commandments, Vanity Fair, April 2010, http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/04/ See Dave Harvey, Rescuing Ambition (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010). Col. 3:5. 1 Tim. 6:10. 1 Tim. 6:67.

hitchens-201004. Ecclesiastes 4:4 makes the same observation and calls such competition vanity and a striving after wind.
46 47 48 49

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CHAPTER FIVE RETIREMENT ISNT IN SCRIPTURE: THE BIBLE AND SAVING

THE THINGS YOU HAVE PREPARED, WHOSE WILL THEY BE? LUKE 12:20
We live in a world of unexpected car repairs, costly medical care, and long life expectancies. It would be foolishand dangerousto squander your resources on day-to-day expenses. The lesson of the Rich Fool is not dont plan. Rather, the Bible oers numerous guidelines for how to save for the future in a way that honors God.

HONOR GOD BY BUILDING UP SAVINGS THROUGH HARD WORKNOT GET-RICHQUICK-SCHEMES.

Throughout his letters, Paul encourages believers to labor, persist, and press on if they expect to see any progress in faith and in life. 50 Proverbs also includes many verses on the connection between diligent work and long-term planning:

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise . . . she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 51 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. 52 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 53 Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. 54

HONOR GOD BY ALIGNING YOUR SAVING GOALS WITH HIS MISSION.

The Rich Fool saved up to bless himself while the Proverbs ant saves to bless its family. Paul reinforces the call to provide for our families while also challenging the rich to use their resources

50 51 52 53 54

1 Cor. 9:2627; Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 4:15. Prov. 6:6, 8. Prov. 13:11. Prov. 21:5.

Prov.24:27.

35

to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. 55 If your objective in saving is to simply build wealth, you will fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 56

HONOR GOD BY NOT BEING ANXIOUS ABOUT SAVING.

Save as an act of prudence and stewardship, not as an act of anxiety and fear of what the future may hold. 57 God does not require us to save, but he does require us to trust him. Well discuss this more in chapter 7.

HONOR GOD BY RETIRING TO GIVENOT TO GET.

Work is a good thing. Right from the beginning, before sin even entered the picture, Adam had a job: to work and keep the Garden of Eden. 58 Though work became laborious toil after the Fall, that doesnt change the fact that we were built to work, and to bring glory to God in doing so. 59 Exactly what this looks like, however, will change with age. The word retirement is not in the Bible. faithfully saving money over the course of a lifetime and having the ability to quit your job is not a bad thing, provided your post-work years are spent worshiping Jesus (not comfort and ease). In fact, such a transition could be a great gift if the extra time is used to invest in our families, serve our church, and help those God brings into our life. Thats not to say its wrong to enjoy golf, naps, and other good things God has given, but he didnt create us to hit cruise control at age sixty-ve. Were storing up treasure for heaven, not treasure for retirement. To paraphrase Randy Alcorn, God grants retirement not to raise your standard of living, but to raise your standard of giving. 60 Take Rick Warren for example. After writing one of the best-selling books in the history of the world, 61 he decided to retire from sta at the church he founded: Saddleback, congregation 20,000plus. I could have bought an island, he says, and had people serve me little drinks of ice tea with
55 56 57 58 59 60 61

1 Tim. 6:18 cf. 5:8. 1 Tim. 6:9. Luke 12:2234. Gen. 2:15. 1 Cor. 10:31. Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 75. PurposeDrivenLife.com, About The Author, October 10, 2010, http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/AboutUs/AboutThe-

Author/AboutTheAuthor.htm.

36

umbrellas in them the rest of my life. Instead, Pastor Rick paid back his salary from twenty-ve years of ministry and continues his work at Saddleback as a volunteer. He now gives away over 90 percent of his income. 62 Gods people may at times be enormously wealthy, says Craig Blomberg, but a major purpose of God granting them wealth is that they may share it with those in need. 63 The Rich Fool took his wealth to be his ownnot a gift from God. When he died, he lost everything. Those who focus on others, however, giving, saving, and spending to honor God, grow rich toward him. And when they die, they will gain everything. 64 In the meantime, how much youre able to give, save, and spend will vary from season to season. You may not always be able to do as much as youd like, but dont make that an excuse to give up on diligence. Pray and plan in order to make sustained improvement and progress over a long period of time.

62 63 64

Rick Warren, Radical Generosity, (lecture, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA, February 12, 2010). Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 59. Col. 3:14.

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LIFE IS MORE THAN FOOD -PART TWO-

Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the eld, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the re, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Do not be afraid, little ock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus (Luke 12:2234)

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PART TWO DISCUSSION

Discussion: If somebody were to observe your life for a weekhow you spend your time, what you do with your money, who you hang out withwhat would they say your priorities are? (page 45) Discussion: What do you worry about? What sin does your anxiety reveal? What does repentance look like? (page 49) Discussion: Do you find it more difficult to be generous with your money or your time? (page 54) Discussion: Explain the difference between guilt-based and grace-based generosity. (page 56) Discussion: Do you feel that youre drifting toward your treasure, or away from it? How can you tell? (page 60) Discussion: Which excuses, questions, or financial sins did you use to struggle with? How did God teach you to mature in your giving habits? Which excuses, questions, or sins do you struggle with today? (page 67)

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CHAPTER SIX WANTS VS. NEEDS PRIORITIES: IS GOD TELLING YOU TO GET A BIG SCREEN?

FOR LIFE IS MORE THAN FOOD, AND THE BODY MORE THAN CLOTHING. LUKE 12:23
Air, food, and water. Thats all I need. Some may add clothing and shelter to the list, but I could run naked through the great outdoors and do just ne. I would probably need to re-locate to a milder climate and learn how to evade the authorities, but my life would not cease if I suddenly lost my house and then all my clothes disappeared.

SELF-MADE RELIGION AND ASCETICISM

We often separate desires into arbitrary categories of wants and needs to help us make decisions with our money. But this way of thinking can be problematic. In terms of purchases and possessions, almost nothing is technically a need. Therefore, honest attempts to manage your desires either lead to guilt (My conscience wont let me eat anything besides tap water and vitamin paste) or self-righteousness (If God wanted man to wear shoes we would have been born with Velcro on our feet). You go see a movie and then feel bad about it because its not vital for survival, or you avoid the cinema altogether and grow smug and judgmental against those who cant resist the latest comic book ick. Also, avoiding wants leads to a negative focus asceticism and self-denialrather than a positive emphasison Jesus and his mission. 65 If you give up a latte per week in order to pay o debt and give more to your church, the focus is on you and what you should not do (buy a latte) rather than on God and what hes called us to do (make disciples and plant churches). The truth is, my list of wants is really, really long. I want a lot of things. For starters:

65

I want to wear clothes. I want a roof over my head. I want to buy things for my family. I want to drive a car. I want to take my wife out on a date.

Col. 3:2023.

42

I want a new iPhone. I want to take a vacation. I want to have people over for dinner.

A straight-up comparison between my innite wants list and my three-point needs list inevitably leads me to think in terms of guilt rather than grace. Rather than embracing the nished work of Jesus on my behalf, I begin to construct my own pathway to righteousness, wondering, Which wants should I cut out in order to be a better Christian? How many can I keep and still be holy? This mentality implicitly denies the gospel in favor of a list of rules that I must follow (religion) in order to alleviate guilt and condemnation. In the name of holiness we end up rejecting Gods good gifts because anything remotely enjoyable or borderline indulgent stirs up remorse. Since we dont technically need a vacation, a deck, or a fancy dinner, some Christians suck it up and decline such gifts in blind devotion to austerity. Im not arguing against discernment, self-discipline, or moderationa good steward must pursue all threebut if youre in the habit of always rejecting Gods material blessings because they violate some arbitrary regulations, youre probably rejecting the fullness of his ultimate blessing as well: amazing grace. 66 The truth is, Im an imperfect sinner. Im going to screw it up, which means that any guilt and condemnation I may feel arent going anywhereunless theyre dealt with once and for all, which is exactly what Jesus did. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 67

PRIORITIES MATTER MORE THAN WANTS

Since the Bible does not draw any absolute distinctions between needs and wants. Were simply called to trust God for our needs 68 and be good stewards of everything else he provides. 69 Most wants are not inherently evil, but they are never-ending. Our resources, on the other hand, are nite, which means we must prioritize. As Paul puts it, Everything is permissiblebut not everything is benecialnot everything is
66 67 68 69

Col. 2:203:4; Rom. 6:14. Rom. 8:1. Luke 12:2425 cf. 11:13. We can trust him with our needs because God is a good and loving Father. Matt. 25:21.

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constructive. 70 Since the earth is the Lords, and everything in it, any want that doesnt involve breaking commandments can be justied. Therefore, our wants matter less than the priorities that actually determine how we spend our time, money, and energy on a daily basis.

A DISCIPLES PRIORITIES
Jesus guides his disciples through the work of the Holy Spirit, the wisdom of Scripture, and the family of believers known as the church. As Mars Hill pastor Bill Clem writes, we follow him as redeemed image-bearers, worshipers, a community, and missionaries. 71 Each of these components of discipleshipidentity, worship, community, and missioncarries with it God-given priorities that help us categorize our list of wants:

Prioritize Jesus. Our identity is found in the person and work of Jesus, our Creator and Sustainer, Savior and King. Without him we are lost, so we must prioritize our relationship with him, and live our lives in worship of him. Prioritize human relationships. We were created to need community, to love, serve, and help one another. Therefore, we must prioritize our relationships with people, beginning with our family (rst spouse, then children), then our church, friends, and neighborhood. Prioritize mission. God has given us the mission to make disciples, 72 and he calls his disciples to participate in this work. We are entrusted with the message of Jesus 73 we get to proclaim his work that saves people from death to life! 74 Therefore, we must prioritize the gospel, using our resources to bless, care for, and share the gospel to those in our circles of inuence.
Once we align our priorities according to life as a disciple, we can begin to evaluate our wants in light of this framework.
70 71 72 73 74

1 Cor. 10:23, NIV. Bill Clem, Disciple: Getting Your Identity From Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011), 51. Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8. 2 Cor. 5:20. 2 Tim. 1:10.

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Discussion: If somebody were to observe your life for a weekhow you spend your time, what you do with your money, who you hang out withwhat would they say your priorities are? Ask your spouse or a close friend to give their honest assessment.

IS THE HOLY SPIRIT TELLING YOU TO GET A BIG SCREEN TV?

Doug is a disciple of Jesus with lots of non-Christian friends. Doug wants to buy a nice, big, brand new TV for holy reasons and selsh reasons. Yeah, he plans to invite his buddies over to watch sports, build relationships, oer hospitality, and point them to Jesus. But Doug also thinks it would be pretty relaxing and awesome to own a decent home entertainment system for himself and his family. Is it wrong for Doug to drop a couple grand on home electronics? Its easy for legalistic Christians to issue blanket condemnation of anything that costs a lot and therefore impedes nobler pursuits. Some even used this argument to criticize Jesus. 75 On the other hand, its also easy for Christians to cite freedom in Christ to justify selsh, destructive behavior, making something a priority when it really should not be. If Doug can pay for a TV without going into debt or compromising his ability to provide for his family or ceasing to give to his church and those in need, then maybe Doug should buy a TV. If Doug were thinking in terms of wants and needs, he would never buy the big screen. Or he would buy it and feel bad about spending money on something thats not a need. In reality, some Dougs can buy their big screen, enjoy it, and use it as a ministry tool, guilt-free. Amen. Other Dougs need to honor their higher priorities before reaching the big screen item on their wants list. Stewardship is an act of worship that proceeds from a changed heartnot a rote list of dos and donts. The Bible gives us freedom, which compels us to rely on the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and wisdom, For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 76

75 76

Matt. 26:89. 1 Tim. 4:45.

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CHAPTER SEVEN REDEEMING WORRY: HEDGED BETS ALWAYS LOSE

AND DO NOT SEEK WHAT YOU ARE TO EAT AND WHAT YOU ARE TO DRINK, NOR BE WORRIED . . . YOUR FATHER KNOWS THAT YOU NEED THEM. LUKE 12:2930
Do not be anxious . . . nor be worried . . . fear not, little ock, Jesus says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (see introduction), but for many, nancial anxiety eclipses all reverence for God. Worry reveals our lack of faith in his promises. To put it plainly, worry is sin. Dr. Ed Welch explains this well: Worry, therefore, is not simply an emotion that erodes our quality of life or a pain to be alleviated. It is a misdirected love that should be confessed. It is trying to manage our world apart from God. It is making life about our needs, desires, and wants . . . nd anxiety about nances and you nd sin; it is as simple as that. 77 God redeems our worry by using it as a ashing neon arrow that points right to our sin. His objective is not to make us feel bad by illuminating our shortcomings, but to reveal our desperate need for Jesus. If we see worry as an emotion or as pain, we can only mitigate or manage it This makes us slaves to anxiety. But when we understand worry as sin, however, it is dealt with at the cross. Through Jesus death we are forgiven and set free from all sinincluding worry.

CONFESS WORRY
Over and over again, throughout Scripture, God assures us that we need not worry because we can trust him; 78 he is a good God. 79 No matter what we say about God with our mouths, as long as worry resides in our hearts we do not believe him. Rather than justify this anxiety, confess the truth. God is not surprised. In Matthews version of Jesus teaching on anxiety, he begins by saying, No one can serve two
77 78 79

Welch, Running Scared, 163. Matt. 6; Luke 12:24, 30, 32; Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5. Luke 11:13, John 10:1011.

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masters . . . You cannot serve God and money. 80 Theres plenty of things to be afraid of in a great big world lled with sin, but Jesus seems to recognize a certain universality when it comes to nancial fearsfear that Gods provision will not be sufficient when it comes to money, food, and clothes. In doing so, Jesus draws a clear line between a eeting material kingdom and the eternal kingdom of God. Maybe we assume that were on the right side of the line, but our worry indicates otherwise. Thats where confession comes in. Confession acknowledges that we still invest in both kingdoms, hoping to minimize our risk, Welch writes. The rule of kingdom investment, however, is all or nothing. All hedged bets are deposited in the earthly kingdomthe one with mine written all over it. Everything must go into one account or the other. 81 God knows that the temptation to hedge our bets is strongwhich is probably why the Bible addresses worry so oftenso when we blow it, theres no use pretending otherwise. As with any sin, freedom from worry requires admission of guilt. Confession is a humble declaration: I have committed treason against the kingdom of God by placing my hope and trust in an earthly kingdom of money and stu. I need Jesus death in my place, and I need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to change. Thank you Father, for your grace. Our worries reveal our slavery to sin. Our inability to cease worrying reveals our helplessness. Our helplessness reveals our need for Gods grace. Gods grace sets us free from worry and enables us to change.

80 81

Matt. 6:24. Welch, Running Scared, 163.

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REPENT FROM WORRY

As we learned in part 1, planning is not a sin. In fact, prudent preparation can help address many nance-related worries. For example:

Common Worry
Unemployment Sudden crisis Husbands death Cant aord kids Retirement funds

Suggested Plan
Maintain a savings account to cover living expenses for three months Build an emergency fund for unplanned expenses Purchase enough life insurance to pay o all debt and provide for ongoing living expenses Begin living o of husbands income; research cost of children; budget accordingly Use a retirement calculator to plan ahead; adjust lifestyle as necessary

Insofar as its possible, good stewards use these tools to prepare for the realities of life. Stu happens. Dont dwell on the possibilities; trust God and plan accordingly. Do not be anxious does not mean, Be lazy and make no plans. I share these ideas because repentance from worry may include putting together a plan (and maybe repentance from laziness as well). But prudence may still cover a sinful heart. Planning deals with behavior and circumstances; true repentance deals with what we worship, which then aects behavior and circumstances. If you worry a lot about your spouse dying, for example, purchasing a life insurance policy may alleviate nancial concerns, but that only gets you so far in dispelling anxiety because savings accounts and insurance policies cannot provide ultimate security. Discussion: What do you worry about? What does your anxiety reveal about what you believe regarding the character of God? What would it look like to be prudent while trusting God as a good Father? Rather than commanding us to fear not and leaving it at that, Jesus invites us to something greater. Seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. This isnt a distraction technique. Its not, If you stay busy seeking the kingdom of God, youll simply forget about your worries! Nor is it, Dont worry about food and clothes because those things arent important. Its a promise: Dont 49

worry about what you are to eat and what you are to drink because youll get it. Seek the kingdom of God and you will have enough. Jesus doesnt belittle our material concerns. He promises that God will provide for them, which means we can spend our time and energy on bigger things. Our job is to seek the kingdom; his job is to take care of us along the way, according to his will. And what instructions does he leave us for the journey? How do we go about seeking the kingdom? Sell your possessions, and give to the needy, Jesus says.
82

In a word: generosity.

82

Luke 12: 33.

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CHAPTER EIGHT GIVE WHAT YOU CANNOT KEEP: A LIFESTYLE OF GENEROSITY

SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS, AND GIVE TO THE NEEDY. LUKE 12:33

More often than not, God works through his people. As the community of the redeemed seeks rst Gods righteous standards, Blomberg writes, by denition they will help the needy in their midst. 83 Therefore, these things will be given to you as well 84 in part because the church as a community of Christians seeking the kingdom of God will be the church that provides for its impoverished members. And when believers realize that others will care for them if they unexpectedly nd themselves impoverished, Blomberg continues, they can then be freed to give more generously in times of plenty. 85 The book of Acts provides an example of what this looks like. There was not a needy person among the early Christians. 86 This pattern continued, and in A.D. 361 Roman emperor Julian complained that the impious Galileans [Christians, impious because they did not conform to the pagan practices of the day] support both their own poor and ours as well; all men see that our people lack aid from us! 87 What motivates such agrant generosity that moves people to sell o property, lower their standard of living, and cause the Roman emperor to take notice?

THE FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

For starters, God is a giver. Author Gordon MacDonald describes how each member of the Trinity demonstrates this characteristic, God the Father is the rst generous giver, God the Son is the chief of generous givers, and God the Holy Spirit is the ongoing expression of Gods generosity in us. 88 As Gods image-bearers 89 we bear his imprint, which includes an inherent sense that generosity is good. More specically, those who love Jesus want to emulate his example of generosity. But true, godly generosity goes much deeper than a basic desire to be like Jesus.
83 84 85 86 87 88 89

Blomberg, Neither Poverty nor Riches, 132. Luke 12:31. Ibid., 145. Acts 4:34. Quoted in Keller, Ministries of Mercy, 87. Gordon MacDonald, Generosity (Alpharetta, GA: The National Christian Foundation, 2009), 6. Gen. 1:27.

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DONT EAT THAT STEAK! (AND OTHER GUILT TRIPS)

In his book Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller writes this insightful passage explaining the motivation for Christian generosity by contrasting it with another very common yet fundamentally awed tactic: Often books and speakers tell Christians that they should help the needy because they have so much . . . Ultimately it produces guilt. It says, How selsh you are to eat steak and drive two cars when the rest of the world is starving! This creates great emotional conicts in the hearts of Christians who hear such arguing. We feel guilty, but all sorts of defense mechanisms are engaged. Can I help it I was born in this country? How will it really help anyone if I stop driving two cars? Dont I have the right to enjoy the fruits of my labor? Soon, with an anxious weariness, we turn away from books or speakers who simply make us feel guilty about the needy. The Bible does not use guilt-producing motivation. . . . The deeper the experience of the free grace of God, the more generous we must become. This is why Robert Murray MCheyne could say: There are many hearing me who now know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart. 90 Generosity is an outward sign of inward transformation: rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Its quite possible to give a lot of money without a generous heart. A wealthy family could give a lot of money and appear quite benevolent while failing to be generous with their time or their other possessions. Generous, biblical stewardship does include nancial giving, but it also extends to our time and the spiritual gifts (talents and skills) God has given us.

RANDOM ACTS OF GENEROSITY

True generosity is a lifestylenot a monthly nancial contribution or a checkbox on your to-do list. Here are some ideas for incorporating spontaneous generosity into your everyday life.

90

Tippingdouble the price of your latte or meal Buy dinner for the couple next to you, or the car behind you in the drive-thru Bring your wife a surprise gift card Take your kids out for ice cream Buy doughnuts for your co-workers (or low-fat Greek yoghurt)

Keller, Ministries of Mercy, 6263.

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If youre dining in the city, box up an extra meal and give it to a homeless person Mow your neighbors lawn Read the newspaper for stories about local needs you could help meet Offer free babysitting to families in your community group If youre a single lady, volunteer to help out a new mom

Participation in the local church cant simply be a business exchange where we essentially pay for religious services or give to satisfy our conscience. Jesus calls us to be all in, but this will look dierent in various seasons of life. Some may have few dollars but lots of hours to volunteer. Others may be in a frantic season of work when all they have time to do is write a tithe check. We cant impose unhealthy legalisms and quotas on the church body. Not only are life circumstances always changing, but also the Bible gives no grounds for such mandates. At the same time, church members must not justify their lack of involvement with inappropriate excuses. We need the wisdom and help of the Holy Spirit and church family to avoid sin and align our hearts with the work God has called us to do. Discussion: Do you find it more difficult to be generous with your money or your time? Explain why. What random act of generosity would you like to try this week?

GLORY THIEVES
Without the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts, our natural desire to give is hopelessly tainted by sin, and any act of benevolence we attempt contains some ulterior motive for personal gain: we give to get rid of guilt instead of trusting in grace; we give to get applause; or we give to get a favor in return. For example, scroll through the list of billionaire philanthropists on The Giving Pledge website (givingpledge.org) and see how many are vested in foundations and programs named after themselves. The berwealthy arent the only ones liable to twist generosity for some personal benet, however. C. S. Lewis observes, Sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help. 91

91

Lewis, Mere Christianity, 8687.

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Whether its our name in the charitys title or a warm smile from the barista after dropping a dollar in the tip jar, we want accolades, gratitude, applause, and recognition. We want the worship only God deserves. We are glory thieves. None of it belongs to us, however, for when [a man] dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 92 We may be able to glean some temporary praise from our fellow humans, 93 but when we bring our gifts before God, looking for a pat on the back, he sees them as lthy rags. 94 This is not because its wrong to help people, tip generously, give to charity, or serve others. In fact, any act of generosity expresses shadows of truth:

A desire to do good, show mercy, and work for justice 95 reveals Gods imprint on our hearts. He is a good God 96 and we are made in his image. 97 God created us for good works. 98 God can use non-Christians to help redeem his creationhealing the sick, feeding the hungry, and promoting justice. 99
When these acts proceed from an unredeemed heart, however, the result nurtures human pride, self-sufficiency, and morality, drawing us away from God rather than toward him. Generosity is meant to spill out of our worship and love for him, not to complete a karmic transaction that moves us one notch closer to holiness. There is more than one way to get to heaven, Warren Buett said after giving $30 billion to the Gates Foundation, but this is a great way. 100

GOD SAVES SINNERS

When I was a new Christian, I didnt want to part with my hard earned money. I was going to school and working at a restaurant, so giving money to the church didnt make a ton of sense. But since the Bible says its important, I decided to give it a shot.
92 93

Ps. 49:17. Matt. 6:2. 94 Isa. 64:6. 95 Micah 6:8. 96 Ex. 34:6. 97 Gen. 1:27. 98 Eph. 2:10. 99 Luke 7:5. 100 Warren Buffett signs over $30.7B to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA Today, June 26, 2006, http://www.usatoday.com/ money/2006-06-25-buffett-charity_x.htm. He later tried to clarify his statement, but the underlying sentiment remains evident throughout American culture and religion: the way to get to heaven is by being a good person (Bob Gary, Jr., Billionaire clarifies get to heaven remarks, Chattanooga Times and Free Press, July 12, 2006, http://www.allbusiness.com/society-social-assistancelifestyle/philanthropy-charities/14639689-1.html).

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I was quite pleased with myself when I decided to start giving $10 per week to Mars Hill. The more I read the Bible, however, the more I realized that my contribution was merely a token gesture. For me, $10 in no way represented the sort of generous, sacricial, worshipful giving that God invites us to. So did he strike me down for my pride? Hardly. As a loving Father, he sent the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sin and graciously and patiently encouraged me to give more and more, while at the same time building my faith in his continued provision and promises. No longer lthy rags oered with self-serving hands, my gifts were becoming a fragrant oering, a sacrice acceptable and pleasing to God 101 because they came from a heart redeemed by his Son. Discussion: Explain the difference between guilt-based and grace-based generosity. Does pride, guilt, or grace tend to motivate your generosity?

GIVE WHAT YOU CANNOT KEEP

On October 28, 1949, Jim Elliot wrote in his journal, He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. 102 In 1956, he was speared to death in the jungles of South America while sharing Jesus with the Waorani people. Jim Elliot gave everything for the gospel, but he understood that none of it was his to keep in the rst place. We brought nothing into the world, writes Paul, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 103 Throughout Luke 12 we see that our life, our provision, and our eternity are completely in Gods hands. We are stewards and cannot keep any of it. But we can give it away, and in doing so gain much more in return: treasure in heaven and God himself.

101 102 103

Phil. 4:18. Billy Graham Center Archives, Jim Elliot Quote, October 10, 2010, http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/faq/20.htm. 1 Tim. 6:7.

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CHAPTER NINE INVISIBLE TREASURE: GAIN WHAT YOU CANNOT LOSE

PROVIDE YOURSELVES WITH MONEYBAGS THAT DO NOT GROW OLD, WITH A TREASURE IN THE HEAVENS THAT DOES NOT FAIL. LUKE 12:33
Generosity is the means to treasure in heaven. Not a means to get into heaven, but the means to treasure in heaven. Jesus says we gain treasure in heaven by giving our time, energy, money, and skills to seek the kingdom of God. If we are to be generous in order to gain treasure in heaven, how is this any less selsh than the generous non-Christian who gives in order to gain something on earth? There are two key dierences between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure. One, we cannot lose heavenly treasure. And two, the object of desirethe treasure to be gainedmakes all the dierence.

THE LOGICAL APPEAL

God is good and he makes good thingsin heaven and on earth. Even money is a gift that can be extremely helpful.104 When Jesus discourages us from storing up earthly treasures, hes not saying that earthly treasures are bad. They simply wont last. Keep your treasure on earth and youll lose it in the end, because here moth and rust destroy and . . . thieves break in and steal. 105 Give your treasure away, and youll never lose it. Like salvation for those who love Jesus, your treasure will be kept where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.106 Randy Alcorn calls it the Treasure Principle: You cant take it with youbut you can send it on ahead. 107 As Jesus said, Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 108 Its not an emotional appeal, explains Alcorn, its a logical one: Invest in what has lasting value. . . . . Whatever treasure we store up on earth will be left behind when we leave. Whatever treasures we store up in heaven will be waiting for us when we arrive. 109
104 105 106 107 108 109

Ecc. 10:19. Matt. 6:20. Luke 12:33. Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 18. Luke 17:33. Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 19.

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WHAT IS TREASURE IN HEAVEN?

Jesus does not downplay the fact that there will be rewards in heaven based on how we conduct ourselves on earth; the promise of treasure should serve as some encouragementincentive even for Christians to persevere. I beat my body and make it my slave, Paul wrote, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualied for the prize. 110 Since none of us have ever been to heaven, none of us can say how the whole treasure distribution system will actually go down, let alone the precise nature of these mysterious rewards. They are, however, secondary to the greatest treasure to be found in heaven or earth: God. In view of Gods innite power and wisdom and beauty, Pastor John Piper says, What could God give us to enjoy that would prove him most loving? There is only one possible answer: Himself! . . . He alone can satisfy the hearts longing to be happy. 111 When the Christian gives to gain more of God, everybody wins. Piper continues: The reason our generosity toward others is not a sham love when we are motivated by the longing for Gods promise is that we are aiming to take those others with us into that reward. We know our joy in heaven will be far greater if the people we treat with mercy are won over to the surpassing worth of Christ and join us in praising Him. . . . It would only be unloving if we pursued our joy at the expense of others. But if our very pursuit includes the pursuit of their joy, how is that selsh? How am I the less loving to you if my longing for God moves me to give away my earthly possessions so that my joy in Him can be forever doubled in your partnership of praise? 112 In our sinful state, it is difficult to comprehend a scenario where its healthy to desire something in return for our giving. When we consider the alternative, however, it begins to make a bit more sense. John Piper, one more time: The one who actually sets himself above God is the person who presumes to come to God to give rather than get. With a pretense of self-denial, he positions himself as Gods benefactoras if the world and all it contains were not already Gods. . . . You cannot please God if you do not come to

110 111 112

1 Cor. 9:27. John Piper, Desiring God (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2003), 4748, 96. Ibid., 195196.

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him for reward![113] . . . He is our exceeding great reward! In his presence is fullness of joy, and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore.[114] Its also encouraging to remember that this exceeding great reward and all of the treasures in heaven are equally accessible to everyone. How much you give counts for nothing. What matters is generosity according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 115 Thats how, when an old woman gives two pennies, Jesus can say, Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of [the rich]. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. 116 God asks us to live generously with what we have. Not with what we dont have, and not with what our neighbors have. The scope is intensely personal, aimed right at the heart.

HEAVEN PRACTICE STARTS NOW

Money follows heart. Heart follows money. The more you invest (money, time, energy) in Jesus mission on earth, the more youll look forward to seeing everything come to fruition when Jesus returns. In the process, giving generously will compel you to part with stu that you might otherwise be tempted to worship, trust, and cling tostu that could choke out 117 the hope of Jesus great promise: It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 118 Discussion: He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures, writes Randy Alcorn. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; hes moving daily toward his treasure. To him, death is gain. 119 Do you feel that youre drifting toward your treasure, or away from it? How can you tell? In the book of Revelation, John describes the scene in heaven when the kingdom of God is complete. The people of God, forgiven, redeemed, and made righteous by Jesus, celebrate in his presence together: Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and
113 114 115 116 117 118 119

Heb. 11:6. Ps. 16:11. 2 Cor. 8:12. Luke 21:34. Luke 8:14. Luke 12:32. Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 45.

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like the sound of mighty pearls of thunder, crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; It was granted her to clothe herself with ne linen, bright and pure . . . Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 120 Here is the ultimate fulllment of the provision Jesus promises in Luke 12. Clothes: ne linen, bright and pure. Food: the marriage supper of Jesus. Though in this world you will have trouble, 121 God will ultimately make good on his word to provide everything we needtangibly, for all timeand more. This heavenly treasure may still seem o in the distant future, but we have forgiveness of sins today. We have the free gift of grace today. We have the Holy Spirit today. Already the kingdom of God has come upon you, 122 and though its not yet time for the marriage feast of the Lamb, the countdown has begun. Its our great privilege, mission, joy, and treasure to invite others to the party.

120 121 122

Rev. 19:69. John 16:33 (NIV). Luke 11:20.

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CHAPTER TEN CHURCHES ARE ALL ABOUT MONEY: AND OTHER EXCUSES

FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO. LUKE 12:34
When it comes to giving, generosity, and the faceo between heavenly and earthly treasures, Ive pretty much heard it all. We can usually think up plenty of reasons not to steward our money well. Sometimes its a matter of ignorance or immaturity, and we need someone to explain what the Bible says on the subject. Other times its just an excuse, and we need somebody to rebuke us. One of my personal favorites was from a young gentleman who was looking for any reason he could nd not to settle down and pick a church. He passed on Mars Hill because he heard that we get access to every members bank statements in order to calculate their income and giving to ensure that everyone gives at a level of 10 percent. Im not an expert in criminal law but I assure you: if your church is secretly monitoring your bank accounts, youve got a signicant problem, a creepy church, and some talented hackers on your hands. Here are a few of the more common questions and concerns Ive heard in over ten years working on the nancial life of the church. My hope is that this chapter can serve as a quick reference guide for discipling ourselves and others toward more faithful stewardship, a more generous lifestyle, and more treasure in heaven.

MY GIVING HABITS ARE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. MONEY IS A PRIVATE MATTER BETWEEN ME AND GOD.
There is nothing magical or especially holy about money. Its just a gift. A tool. We can wield it wisely or foolishly, so we need to hold each other accountable for how we use it. Though we will give a personal account to God for how we steward our resources, 123 he has given us these resources in part to help build his kingdom and spread the gospel, which is not a solitary, private accomplishment, but work that is carried out by the church. 124 Plus, given the amount of airtime and gravity money gets in Scripture, if we can talk about prayer, marriage, parenting, worship, and so on, then surely we can talk about this integral component of discipleship.

123 124

Mt. 25:1430. Acts 2:4447; 2 Cor. 9:15.

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IM ASHAMED OF MY DEBT AND POOR MANAGEMENT. TALKING ABOUT MONEY MAKES ME FEEL INEPT.
As Christians, because our identity is secure in Jesus 125 (not our portfolio) we need not feel shame for the condition of our nances. Rather, we are free to bring all our iniquities into the light without fear. 126

I NEED TO SAVE MONEY BEFORE I CAN GIVE ANY.

Its not wrong to save or spend, but neither should replace giving. When the economy lags, our idols tend to shift from rash spending to incessant hoarding. Regardless of circumstances, God is trustworthy, 127 so we mustnt trade over-consumption for excessive self-reliance. 128

CHURCHES ARE ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

Again, money is just a toolJesus spoke about it more than we do. And more than that, its a means to our hearts and the hearts of others. This is kingdom work, not empire building. We want to use our resources to see as many people as possible meet Jesus. In addition, at Mars Hill we strive to give generously as a church to those outside our immediate congregation. This includes relief eorts in Haiti, church planting and online resources that reach people worldwide, and MicroMission projects that serve our neighborhoods and communities.

I DONT TRUST THE CHURCH.

If someone doesnt trust the church enough to give or be involved, this probably indicates another underlying issue, possibly a lack of trust in and resistance to authority in general. In any case, if someone cant be led to trust their church, they should probably nd a church they can trust and go there instead. At Mars Hill we work hard to be completely transparent with our nancial practices. Few churches welcome the same level of detail, visibility, and scrutiny that we do. No church is perfect, but were doing our best to operate above reproach and steward Gods nances faithfully.

FINANCIAL SINS: COMMON MONEY MISTAKES

125 126 127 128 129

Idolatry You cannot serve God and money. 129

Col. 3:3. 1 John 1:7. Ps. 73:2326. Matt. 6:2833; Luke 13:21. Matt. 6:24 cf. Luke 18:1830.

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130 131

Pride When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you. 130 Unnecessary debt The borrower is slave of the lender. 131 Envy and covetousness Envy makes the bones rot. 132 No fear of the Lord Better a little with fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. 133 Laziness The sluggard craves and gets nothing. 134 Lack of planning Everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 135 Greed The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 136 False doctrine . . . imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 137 Not giving or tithing Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, How have we robbed you? In your tithes and contributions.. 138 Selfishness You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 139 Hope in wealth For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing. 140 Seeking satisfaction in wealth Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. 141 Freeloading If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 142 Worry Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat. 143 Lack of vision I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. 144 Entitlement A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 145

Matt. 6:14. Prov. 22:7. 132 Prov. 14:30 cf. Eccles. 4:4; Rom. 1:29. 133 Prov. 15:16. 134 Prov. 13:4 cf. 1 Tim. 5:8. 135 Prov. 21:5 cf. Prov. 15:21; 13:22; 19:14. 136 1 Tim. 6:10 cf. 2 Kings :1527; Acts 5:16. 137 1 Tim. 6:35. 138 Mal. 3:8. 139 James 4:3. 140 Rev. 3:17 cf. Luke 12: 1321; 1 Tim. 6:1719; James 5:13. 141 Eccles. 5:10 (NIV) cf. 4:8. 142 2 Thess. 3:615 cf. 1 John 3:1718. 143 Luke 12:2234. 144 Matt. 25:1430. 145 John 3:27.

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I GIVE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, MINISTRIES, CHARITIESTHE CHURCH AT LARGE.

The church is not an organization; the church is a family. 146 Favoring some other charity above your local church indicates either a misunderstanding of the biblical denition of church, or sinful negligence. It would be like a father who works hard, earns a living, and then buys a bunch of new clothes for the kids down the street while his own children run around in garbage sacks. When it comes to giving, a Christians rst obligation is to contribute to the health and well-being of the church. 147 Exclusively cause-oriented giving could also represent a measure of pride (proceeds from this shirt benet my image), and a lack of passion for the gospel. Rather than cause-oriented interests, we as the church must remain a decidedly cross-oriented people. Causes come and go like fadswhether theyre resolved or not, sadly. Only the message of Jesus death and resurrection in our place oers consistent, universal, and eternal hope. Gods chosen vehicle for this message is the church, so we have a responsibility to make sure shes healthy. A generous lifestyle does not stop there, however, and I very much encourage widespread giving to other organizations, ministries, charities, etc., after you have given to the local church.

THE BIBLE SAYS TO GIVE IN SECRET. WE SHOULDNT TALK ABOUT OUR GIVING HABITS.
Secrecy is a spiritual discipline that is appropriate under certain circumstances and with right motives, 148 but the Bible also includes many examples of public benevolence. 149 Jesus says, Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 150 Paul even encourages healthy competition when it comes to giving, 151 and givers in the early church publicly presented their oerings. 152 Again, the dierence-maker is the heart: whats your motive? If you want everybody to know about your givingwhy? Do you want recognition, or do you want to encourage others? If you dont want anybody to know about your givingwhy? Are you ashamed or is their a legitimate reason why the details would be distracting?

I CANT GIVEIM A POOR COLLEGE STUDENT.

Our culture encourages college students to live beyond their means by taking out exorbitant loans
146 147 148 149 150 151 152

Rom. 8:1517; Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 5:12. Gal. 6:10. Matt. 6.4. Mark 14:39; Luke 21:14; Acts 4:3637. Matt. 5:16.

2 Cor. 9:15. Acts 4:35.

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against an uncertain future. Financial aid in the form of debt is not wrong, but its not something to be entered into lightly either. While investing in a career track and establishing discretionary spending habits, many college students practice little to no sacrice. Start somewhere. Also, remember that stewardship includes time. The church needs some time from the folks who can give us more dollars and some dollars from the folks who can give more time.

I CANT GIVEI DONT HAVE ANYTHING.

When people tell me they cant aord to tithe, says Randy Alcorn, I ask them, If your income was reduced by 10 percent would you die? They say, No. And I say, Then youve admitted that you can aord to tithe. Its just that you dont want to. 153 Start simple, start smallstart anywhere. God will grow your faith. If you never give God anything to work with, nothing will change. Give him room to cultivate in you a generous, faithful heart.

I WANT TO GIVE, BUT I JUST KEEP FORGETTING.

Invite others to hold you accountable. Pursue discipline. Set a calendar reminder on your computer or phone and give online.

I AM GIVING FAITHFULLY.
On behalf of your church, thank you. I want to encourage faithful, generous givers while at the same time recognizing that nobody ever reaches the spot of perfect generosity (again, stewardship includes time, energy, skillsnot just nances). Consider telling your story to encourage others to excel in this act of grace also. 154 Also, its important to remember that we can never out-give God.155 This reality should always keep us in humble pursuit of his grace. Discussion: Which excuses, questions, or financial sins have you struggled with in the past? How did God teach you to mature in your giving habits? Which excuses, questions, or sins do you struggle with today?

153 154 155

Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, 66. 2 Cor. 8:7. Ps. 16:11; Mal. 3:10; John 4:14.

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THE FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER -PART THREE-

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master nds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and nds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. . . .

Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will nd so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, My master is delayed in coming, and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his masters will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Jesus (Luke 12:3548)

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PART THREE DISCUSSION

Discussion: Which areas of your life do you tend to keep from God because you dont want to bother him with small stuff? (page 72) Discussion: Based on your season of life, which piece of advice is most encouraging? Which one is most challenging, and how do you hope to change? (page 81) Discussion: Share some of your long-term goals with your community group. How has Jesus shaped those plans? Invite your group to help you think through some long-term goals that build a gospel-saturated legacy. them to help shape your plans. (page 84) Discussion: When it comes to money, is giving your number one priority? Why or why not? (page 87) Discussion: Pray for the future of our church, that God would use the ministry and resources of Mars Hill to reach millions of lives for generations to come with the gospel of Jesus. (page 90)

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CHAPTER ELEVEN BE READY: BUDGET FOR JUDGMENT DAY

STAY DRESSED FOR ACTION. LUKE 12:35

The end of Luke 12 gets pretty intense. Jesus moves on from owers and birdies and starts talking about setting the earth on re and people getting hacked to pieces. Central to this passage is another story, this time about faithful and unfaithful managers. In other words, Luke 12:3548 is all about stewardship (though not only about stewardship). And in case we missed it during the ower-bird-treasure talk, Jesus gets scary serious: we will answer for how we spend our time, how we use our money, and how we live the life that he has given us. The stakes could not get any higher.

BUDGET FOR JUDGMENT DAY

It may seem odd to leap from a passage about Jesus return into a discussion about spreadsheets and budgets, and thats the problem. We minimize and compartmentalize certain aspects of life and choose to believe that God only cares about things like prayer, Bible reading, church attendance, and the token good deed from time to time. This is a lie we tell ourselves and a lie Satan is happy to perpetuate. The enemy wins when our money is separated from our walk with Jesus. Not only will our resources be less eective in the mission Gods given us, but also our hearts will remain distant from him. 156 The unfaithful servant in Jesus story falls prey to this mentality. The master of his house is delayed, and, rather than cultivating a sense of anticipation, he begins to cut corners and justify his actions. What probably began as a small breach of decorum (Surely my master wont miss one little sip of the good stu) quickly degenerates into the power trip from hell. It doesnt take long before the servant starts acting like he owns the placedrinking the wine, eating the food, and abusing the other servants. Everything we have is from God. He owns it. We steward it. And he cares about what we do with it. Therefore, in this section we will talk about creating a plan and building a budget for Gods glory and your joy. Discussion: Which areas of your life do you tend to keep from God because you dont want to
156

Matt. 6:21. Hopefully youve got it memorized by this point.

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bother him with small stuff?

BUDGET FOR GODS GLORY

I encourage you to see these exercises as an act of worship rather than a chore. Building a nancial plan requires contemplation of all that God has given usand regardless of our wealth, he has been exceedingly generous. We respond to his grace and goodness not only in song and in prayer. We can also glorify God with a life lived according to his Lordship, choosing to follow and honor him rather than running after the money god and tumbling headlong into nancial slavery.

BUDGET FOR YOUR JOY

If you think balancing your checking account means looking at your balance each time you withdraw cash from the ATM, then you may need some help. Living with no plan and no budget is not freedomits a recipe for stress, hardship, and folly. Imagine if your car had a blank dashboardvoid of any dials, indicators, or panels whatsoever. You never know how fast youre going, you never know if the engines about to explode, you never know if the trunk is ajar, you never know if youre about to run out of fuel. Every outing is a giant guessing game, and every successful trip merely delays the inevitable crisis. A budget or a planor Gods commands, for that mattersmay feel restrictive, but the boundaries are there to protect us and guide us. Its not the gas gauges fault when you sputter to a halt on the middle of the I-90 bridge. Our own sin and poor decisions get us into trouble, wisdom helps us stay out of it. And wisdom says make a plan, create a budget, and obey God. Im not arguing against spontaneity. In fact, the more prepared we are, the more likely well be ready to roll when the Holy Spirit leads us. Spend time with Jesus. Budget. Read the Bible. Date your spouse. Love your kids. Share Jesus with friends and family. Keep a calendar. Then when the time comes for spontaneity, you can enjoy it rather than playing catch-up. It takes wisdom to balance all of this stu, so remember where wisdom comes from. Dont leave God out of your nancial planning. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you. He is our Helper (John 14:16), so ask him to help you, and follow where he leads.

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CHAPTER TWELVE STEWARDSHIP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: MONEY ADVICE BY LIFE STAGE

YOU ALSO MUST BE READY, FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COMING AT AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECT. LUKE 12:40
The servants Jesus describes in Luke 12 await their master through the night and for some days. For us, this time period represents our entire life. Whether its in death or his return, we never know when we will nally see our Master. In the meantime, our circumstances change constantly as we grow from infants into young men and women, into adults and old age. The biblical principles of generosity and good stewardship always apply, but the details of your budget and plans will evolve with your life. In this chapter well consider how to be a good steward in a way that is unique to dierent seasons of life: childhood, youth and singleness, marriage, and middle and old age.

CHILDREN (ADVICE FOR PARENTS)

Teach your kids about Jesus and their need for his grace.
Generosity stems from Jesus. We may be excellent money managers, able to instruct our children in the way of nancial planning, but if neither our children nor we understand the gospel, then all the nancial knowledge in the world amounts to nothing.

Invite your kids into the conversation.

Too often we parents go about our day, doing chores, paying bills, running errands, and forgetting to invite our kids to participate and learn about things like responsibility, work ethic, joy, and decision-making. Children can handle more than we give them credit for, and the sooner you begin developing them nancially, the sooner theyll learn.

Teach your kids to divide their money (from birthdays, holidays, and allowance) into three categories: give, save, and spend.
Ill never forget when my son opened a fth birthday card from his grandparents. There was some money in it, and he blurted out, Yes, now I can pay my bills! He didnt have many bills as a ve-year-old, but I loved the fact that he was beginning to think through stewardship.

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Dont stie innovation; allow failure.

I know its a lot of work to setup the lemonade stand, but what a great opportunity to teach your kids about work, business principles, and managing nances. As your kids get ideas, take the time to encourage them and invest in them so that these mini-ventures can be used as teaching opportunitieswhether or not theyre nancially protable.

Engage your kids and teach them discernment.

Most parents expect their kids to learn through osmosis rather than intentional development. And the truth is, without any parental discernment to guide them, kids will absorb their life lessons, but through marketing, friends, and TVnone of which tend to rely on the principles of Scripture for instruction. Kids need to be equipped to recognize the dierence between truth and lies.

Model generosity.
Practice what you preach. Dont give to impress your children, but dont hide it from them either. (When you miss the mark, confess your sin to your family and let your kids see that Dad and Mom need a Savior, too.) Since generosity ows from grace, we can use it as a tool to teach about Jesus.

SINGLES
Establish giving patterns now.
I hate to say it, but single people are some of the most selsh people on the planet. Were all selsh, I get that. But you singles excel in this vice (I know I did). Youre in a season of your life in which you have a lot of time and (often) excess money to manage. And whether or not you agree doesnt change reality: what you do now sets the course for the next twenty years. Think about what it would look like to set a pattern of giving and serving, one that chips away at the selshness rather than reinforces it. When you get married, your spouse will be a mirror that points out the aws and highlights the healthy patterns youve established.

Learn from others that are ahead of you.

Use your extra time to learn from married men and women. Ask them about their successes, their mistakes, what worked for them, and what they would do dierently. I assure you theyll have a list.

Consider what youd bring into a marriage.

Are you working on building up your shoe collection, or your savings for a down payment on a house? There is a huge dierence between debt and cash when it comes to starting a marriage. Ive worked with couples beginning life together under $100,000 of school loans and credit card debt.

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The burden can be smothering, and it often becomes the dominating issue for many years of the marriage. On the other hand, Ive also worked with couples that brought savings into their marriage, and the nancial freedom they enjoy is life giving. What you do with your money today will have a profound eect on your future marriage. Start loving your future spouse now by practicing good stewardship.

Take advantage of compound interest (ages 1830).

Rather than seizing the day by spending all your money as it comes in, seize the opportunity to build a nancial future that will be signicantly more generous. The word retirement is not in the Bible, but that doesnt mean youll always be able to work as hard or earn as much as you can when youre young. The purpose of saving is not just future provision, however. Invest enough so that you can continue to be generous in your old age, rather than hoarding your nest egg for yourself. Right now, the magic of compound interest is on your side. If you save $300 per month from age twenty-two and continue through age twenty-eight at an interest rate of 10 percent per year, your seven years worth of savings will grow to $1 million by age sixty-ve. If you start investing your $300 a month at age 31, however, itll take thirty-four-years of saving to reach $1 million by sixty-ve. 157 Though ten percent may be optimistic these days, the same principle applies: The younger you are, the more your savings is likely to grow. Even if you can only contribute a small amount, its to your advantage to start right away. Be proactive.

Have fun.
Working toward goals, plans, and a vision for your future doesnt mean you cant enjoy Gods blessings, gifts, and grace to you today. If your priorities are in order, its both/andnot either/or. Remember, preparing for the future should look and feel much dierent than banking on the future (Luke 12:1920) or worrying about the future (Luke 12:2223).

MARRIED COUPLES
No secrets.
Financial secrecy destroys marriages. It usually starts small but anything kept in the dark will grow into a massive shadow that will cloud and destroy the oneness God intends for marriage. If you are not 100 percent honest with your spouse about your debt, spending habits, secret hobbies, and
157

Erin Burt, Behold the Miracle of Compounding, Kiplinger, November 8, 2007, http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/starting/ar-

chive/2007/st1107.htm.

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such, put this book down immediately and begin the confession and repentance process. Jesus died for your sin, and he will forgive you. If your spouse loves Jesus, he or she will too.

Leverage each others strengths, but dont abdicate responsibility.

There are no authoritative rules on who does what when it comes to managing the household budget, but both husband and wife should be involved. Hopefully, one of you is more administratively gifted than the other, so that person will be better at balancing the checking account and managing the spreadsheets. Use those gifts eectively. Too often, however, the nancial management of the household is abdicated by one spouse and forced on the other. Both husband and wife need to have their heads in the game: know the budget, know your giving, and know where you stand nancially as a family. Husbands, you are ultimately accountable. 158 So dont burden your wife with the whole task. Make the experience fundate your wife at home while you talk numbers.

Understand each others weaknesses.

Financial conict and stress lead to way more divorces than they should; money is the number one thing American couples ght about.159 Ive found that savers often marry spenders, which isnt wrong, but the dichotomy can lead to all kinds of marital strife if you dont understand one another. Dont point ngersstart by knowing and owning your own style and sin patterns (saver, spender, cheapskate, frivolous, coveter) so that you can learn to communicate humbly and eectively with your spouse and build a united plan that honors God together.

Use money as a gift to foster oneness.

Weve talked a lot about giving in this bookhow about giving to your spouse? Do you have a fund in your budget dedicated to loving your spouse, or enough margin that allows you to spontaneously bless them? When your wife is stressed, send her to get a pedicure. When your husband needs a gift, gure out a way to make it happen. Stress tends to dominate our nancial lives, and we forget to have fun. This is yet another way we fall into devoting ourselves to money as a god (allowing it to aect our moods, our mental health, our marriage), rather than receiving it as a gift from God. Figure out how to use money to have fun in your marriage, which will foster love and intimacy.

Start living on the husbands income as soon as possible.

The sooner this transition can be made, the sooner a couple will be prepared for the day God gives
158 159

Eph. 5:2223. Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace Revisited (New York: Viking, 2003), 195.

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them children. Whether weeks or years before a child arrives, money (or lack thereof) should not be the deciding vote. The transition to one income allows you to use the wifes income to give, save, and pay o debtall of which will give you a rmer foundation for your future. Too often newly married couples immediately adjust their spending to match the double income, and they begin to live a lifestyle that isnt sustainable and easily supported by one income.

Husbands and fathers: purchase life insurance to provide for your family in your absence.
Your policy should be enough to cover your familys debt (including mortgage) and living expenses for some years so that your wife can concentrate on taking care of your children (who will need all the more care without a dad) and not have to worry about earning a livable wage. Life insurance is another nancial decision to make sooner rather than laterthe younger you are, the cheaper it will be.

MIDDLE AGE AND OLDER

Dont defer or compartmentalize ministry.
Many successful Christian business people wrestle with whether they should trade their secular vocation for a life of full-time ministry serving the church. This may be Gods call on your life, but I would have a few pastoral questions to ask before you quit your day job:

Do you believe that, by virtue of being a Christian, you are in full-time ministry? Every Christian is an ambassador of Jesus, no matter if their work is secular or spiritual. Just because its not your job doesnt mean you still cant serve people, share the gospel, pray, and be a missionary to your neighborhood, culture, and sphere of inuence. Are you being faithful where you are? Many people think switching to a more ministry-oriented career will provide the spiritual juice and accountability that seem to be lacking in their life. Oftentimes, however, changing circumstances is simply a way to avoid dealing with sin. Youre the problem, most likelynot your situation. If thats the case, dont go anywhere. Start repenting and see what God does. If you are being faithful where youre at and feel called, be free in Christ to explore where the Holy Spirit might be leading.

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Did you know that giving is a spiritual gift? 160 It may feel more holy to drop every thing youre doing to start volunteering full-time at your church or pursue oversees missions, but if God has blessed you with great business skills and nancial success, your role in the kingdom of God may be to make a ton of money and give a ton away.

Share your story, your wisdom, your success, and your failures.
When it comes to life stages, I have the least amount of experience in the middle and old age categories, so I invited some of the seasoned men in our church to share their thoughts: 161 Instead of grabbing all you can get and enjoying it now, we should practice intentional living that points to eternity as our source of joy, peace, and contentment. It could be that God allows you more discretionary time and resources as your earthly clock ticks down, and how you choose to invest those reects what is most treasured in your heart. My dad used to say, You win or lose, by the way you choose. We should make certain we choose wisely in this area as the stakes are very high to future generations. Dave, age 50 The vision I had of retirement led me to follow a steady course for many years. The path included established goals to work hard, sacrice, spend wisely, save diligently, practice delayed gratication, give faithfully, and to be content with what we had. My success in these areas varied signicantly, but by Gods grace, the original vision was realized. My vision for retirement was not very dierent from the same lifestyle and goals I used to get there. The main dierence was trading production for time. I wanted to have a life where people, grandbabies, relationships, and service didnt have to compete with my productionthe need for income, a full-time job, and all the accompanying trappings. I understand the value of work, and that production and time can co-exist, but I also know myself and my tendencies well enough that, for me, retirement had a better chance to succeed than a longer or scaled-back career. This all sounds ne in theory, but will be wasted if my life does not bring glory to God. I am
160

Rom. 12:8.

161 Names have been changed.

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praying that Gods grace will continue to lead me, that I continue to grow closer to him, and that my life brings him glory and blessing to others. Stan, age 60 Most of us grew up with the thought that retirement is what Grandpa did when he didnt have to go to work anymore and was able to spend more time with us kids. And to be certain retirement is some of that. But retirement as it relates to our vocation is much dierent than what we do with our lives after our primary vocational responsibilities have ended. We never retire from our faith. Christians never retire from serving Jesus and community. We are called to serve and the only change is the address of where we work. John, age 55 To older men and women attending younger churches (like Mars Hill): your war stories are invaluable. Share them in your community groups, take young folks out for coee, and enjoy the privilege of extending the work of the gospel beyond your life and into the life of the church. This idea is called legacy, and its never too early or too late to start thinking about how your time and money can pave the way for future generations. Discussion: Based on your season of life, which piece of advice is most encouraging? Which one is most challenging, and how do you hope to change?

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN DIE BEFORE YOUR MONEY DOES: ESTABLISHING A LEGACY

BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS WHOM THE MASTER FINDS AWAKE WHEN HE COMES. LUKE 12:37
You will die. What will you leave behind in your absence? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Or maybe youve dismissed it because you feel too young (I dont need to worry about that right now) or too old (Its too late). Both excuses are untrue. As long as God has given you life, he expects you to use it. Dont delay it, and dont diminish it, or else youll waste it.

DREAM BIG
John Piper says, We waste our lives when we do not pray and think and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in all spheres of life. 162 Where do you want to go? What are you pursuing? What drives you? What bugs you? What do you want to see changedin your life, in your city, in the world? For Christians, youve got the Holy Spirit working with you. Dream really big. To be truly ambitious, our dreams need to reach into the next generation, says author Dave Harvey. A biblical denition of success means we transfer the work to them, positioning them to run stronger and farther, while we cheer them on. 163 Legacy. Though nances are a piece of this puzzle, your life amounts to more than the money in your bank account. Here are some questions to get you thinking about the various pieces of the puzzle and how they t together in the one big, long-term picture that is your legacy. Consider the answers youd like to give ten, twenty-ve, or fty years from now, and then on the last day of your life:

Walk with Jesus Who will be impacted by my walk with Jesus? A particular age group, culture, neighbor, family member?

162 163

John Piper, Dont Waste Your Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003), 32. Harvey, Rescuing Ambition, 200.

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Giving How much will I give between today and my last day? Have I given generously throughout my life, and will I continue to do so through my estate? Family What will my family look like? How many children? Where will we live? Friendships Who will my friends be? To whom will I have been a friend? Mission What will I have done in obedience to Jesus commandment to make disciples of all nations and fulll the Great Commission? 164 Career What will I have spent my life working on or working for? Housing Will I pass on real estate as part of my legacy? 165 Finances What will I leave behind nancially and to whom? 166 Where will the money God has entrusted to me have the greatest impact for the gospel?
The questions you ask today will ultimately shape the legacy you leave at the end of your life. In between, youll need a plan. Discussion: Share some of your long-term goals with your community group. How has Jesus shaped those plans? Invite your group to help you think through some long-term goals that build a gospel-saturated legacy.

PLAN BIG
Im not sure who said it rst, but I like it: The dierence between a vision (or a dream) and a goal (or an achievement) is a plan. A plan takes our desired future and turns it into reasonable, specic steps we can take in succession to achieve our goals. Proverbs says, A man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 167 We need to plan, we
164 165 166 167

Matt. 28:19. Prov. 19:4. Prov. 13:22. Prov. 16:9.

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need to write things down, we need to pray for specic direction in our lives, but we also need to hold our plans in an open hand for God to chart our course. Thats okay. Hes God. Hes allowed to do that. Our plan will change as he shapes your life and your convictions, but we still need to plan.

GOD IS GOD (NOT YOU, NOT PLANS)

We participate with the Creator of the world to map out a direction for our life. That is a profound, encouraging, humbling thought that should constantly align our will with his. Make plans and shoot for something, but dont place that something over Gods kingdom. God is not Santa Clause. Our plans are not a wish list that we hand him in exchange for our good deeds. We plan to his glory. The object is to make highest and best use of the things hes given us for the biggest gospel impact as possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The legacy you leave denes your faithfulness and stewardship of everything God has entrusted to you, and God has blessed you to bless others. Dont delay.

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN IT STARTS TODAY: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS

WHO THEN IS THE FAITHFUL AND WISE MANAGER? LUKE 12:42

By now, youve read, youve discussed, and hopefully youve learned more about biblical stewardship. Its time to take these lessons, turn them into convictions, and apply them to the day-to-day, life and doctrine together. 168 In the past couple chapters Ive shown you the mountain that were trying to scale (big vision) and provided a basic map of the trail youre on to get there (lifestage). Now its time to put one foot in front of the other and start making progress toward these tangible milestones: 169

Give Purchase life insurance Budget (see appendix B for sample budget template) Create an emergency fund Pay off debt Save for retirement Save for college Estate plan (will, legacy giving)

Always begin with give. After that, the order will vary depending on your priorities. As you get to work dening the specics of your plan, your money, and your life, here are a few ways to pace yourself: Discussion: When it comes to money, is giving your number one priority? Why or why not?

KEEP IT SIMPLE.
People often make nancial planning more complicated than it needs to be. You dont have to have expensive software, a CPA degree, online banking, or lots of mutual funds to be a good steward. Find a system that works for you. The simpler it is, the easier it will be to stick to it.
168 169

1 Tim. 4:16. For practical advice (templates, techniques, and tips), I recommend Dave Ramseys Total Money Makeover (Nashville: Thomas Nelson).

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STAY ON TRACK.
As you begin to give and sacrice youll feel the pinch. Temptation will creep in and the path of least resistance will start looking pretty good. Dont give in. Know that you will be tempted and prepare accordinglymemorize Scripture, seek accountability, and pray a lot.

DONT GO IT ALONE.
Proverbs says, Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 170 Ask for wisdom and accountability from trusted advisersfriends, community group, family. Listen to what they have to say, even if it hurts. 171 Husbands and wives must work together to steward their resources as one.

YOURE NOT IN HEAVEN.

The world is broken and life rarely ts together like a nice puzzle. Dont spend a ton of energy trying to create heaven on earth. Creation is subject to frustration, 172 and you will get very, very frustrated if you try to make things perfect. Dont replace money with good stewardship as your god. Work with what youve got and worship Jesus.

CARRY YOUR OWN LOAD; SHARE YOUR BURDENS.

Galatians 6 says, Bear one anothers burdens, but also, Each will have to bear his own load (6:2, 5). Your load refers to your responsibility: your budget, your money, your giving. Dont make somebody take care of what you should be taking care of. At the same time, when a legitimate burden arises (death, job loss, illness, tragedy), dont be too proud to ask for help. God gave us a large family (the church) in part so that we can make sure everyone is cared for.

STEWARDSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE.
Managing your money and your resources well takes more than a one-time knowledge injection or a three-week study course. Like all aspects of discipleship, being a good steward takes a life of faith and repentance, love and obedience. We need ongoing teaching, prayer, and time with Jesus to continually ask the question, how can I be most faithful with what Ive been given?

TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Its important to think long-term, but dont get overwhelmed by the fty-year big vision. Tomorrow will worry about itself, Jesus said (Matthew 6:21, NIV). Ask God for wisdom each day, and begin there, starting with today.

170

171 Prov. 9:8 172

Prov. 15:22

Rom. 8:20

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN CONCLUSION: WHAT CAN GOD DO WITH 10,000 PEOPLE AND $300 MILLION?

EVERYONE TO WHOM MUCH WAS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED. LUKE 12:48
At the time of this writing, Mars Hill Church includes about 10,000 people. Seattles King County has a per capita income of just under $30,000, which means God has given us about the same collective resources as the nation of Tonga ($300 million). This is a tremendous gift that calls for great responsibility. Weve been given much. Our mission is to make disciples and plant churchesas many as possible. What would it look like if everyone in our church used their money on mission? What would it look like if other churches joined us? What would it look like if we stopped worshiping money as a god, and received it as a gifta useful tool in the kingdom of the true God? We could see thousands of churches planted in our lifetime, and hundreds of thousands of people meet Jesus as a result. Our faithful stewardship could bless generations to come, and our childrens childrens childrens children could hear the gospel based on how we live today. That is my prayer for all of us stewards in Jesus kingdom. Of course, this depends on the work of the Holy Spirit, but he already weve seen him do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think173 in our lives. Its more present than we realize or even fully understand. Lets not it for granted or grumble our way through life, complaining about the gifts weve been given. From our good, faithful, and loving God weve received forgiveness, salvation, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, a church family, the kingdom, life, and the message of the gospel to share with the world. We have every reason to be grateful, and use our gifts to the glory of Jesus, for the good of others, and for the joy of being what we were created to be. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 174 Discussion: Pray for the future of our church, that God would use the ministry and resources of Mars Hill to reach millions of lives for generations to come with the gospel of Jesus.

173 174

Eph.3:20 2 Cor. 9:15

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To conclude this study, here is a brief summary of each chapter for review and wrap-up discussion:

INTRODUCTION: FEAR
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 175 Fear of the Lord leads us to worship him: acknowledging with reverence and awe that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, always good Creator and Sustainer of the universe. When faced with financial stress, we are free to fear not, knowing that our future, our eternity, and our lives are in the stable, trustworthy care of Gods

hand.

CHAPTER ONE: HAVES AND HAVE NOTS

Everything we have comes from God and belongs to God. We are stewards of what God has given us. He owns it; we use it. Haves are grateful and grace-filled. Have Nots are greedy and grumble (see chart on page 18). Every opportunity to give becomes an opportunity to demonstrate and share our truest, most valuable possession: the generosity, goodness, and good news of Jesus.

CHAPTER TWO: MATTERS OF THE HEART

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Any financial transaction (giving, spending, saving, investing) reveals our heart by presenting an opportunity to worship Jesus or worship ourselves. The significance of the heart levels the playing field between rich and poor. Righteousness has nothing to do with wealth. God does not require his people to renounce material possessions (poverty theology), nor does he promise that all of his disciples will be wealthy (prosperity theology).

Prov.1:7

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CHAPTER THREE: THE BIBLE AND GIVING

Honor God by giving before you save or spend. Honor God by giving cheerfully, sacrificially, and regularly (see chart on page 27). How much should I give? The absence of a specific mandate creates dependence on God because we must actively seek his will for our nances.

CHAPTER FOUR: THE BIBLE AND SPENDING

Honor God by living within your meansdont be a spender. Honor God by spending welldont be a hoarder. Honor God by guarding against covetousness.

CHAPTER FIVE: THE BIBLE AND SAVING

Honor God by building up savings through hard worknot get-rich-quick Honor God by aligning your saving goals with his mission. Honor God by not being anxious about saving. Honor God by retiring to givenot to get. schemes.

CHAPTER SIX: WANTS VS. PRIORITIES

All we need is air, food, and water. Most wants are not inherently evil, but they are never-ending. Our resources, on the other hand, are nite, which means we must prioritize. A disciples priorities: Jesus, human relationships, and mission. When it comes to aligning wants with priorities, there is no prescription. Its about the heart.

CHAPTER SEVEN: REDEEMING WORRY

God redeems our worry by using it as a flashing neon arrow that points right to our sin. No matter what we say about God with our mouths, as long as worry resides in
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our heart we do not believe him. Rather than justify this anxiety, confess and repent (see chart on page 49). Jesus doesnt belittle our material concerns. He promises that God will provide for them, if only well trust him. Our job is to seek the kingdom; his job is to take care of us along the way.

CHAPTER EIGHT: GENEROSITY

God is a giver; we are his image-bearers. Grace-based generosity is an outward sign of inward transformation: rebirth by the power of the Holy Spirit. Giving for (unrighteous) gain: Its quite possible to give a lot of money without a generous heart. Motives = guilt and/or pride. There is something (righteous) to be gained by generosity: treasure in heaven (including God himself). Random acts of generosity page 53

CHAPTER NINE: TREASURE IN HEAVEN

Logical appeal: Earthly treasures will not last. Why not invest in heavenly treasures that will last? No one knows the precise nature of treasures in heaven. They are, however, secondary to the greatest treasure to be found in heaven or earth: God. It would only be unloving if we pursued our joy at the expense of others. But if our very pursuit includes the pursuit of their joy, how is that selsh? (John Piper) All of the treasures in heaven are equally accessible to everyone. How much you give counts for nothing. What matters is generosity according to what a person has. 176

176

2 Cor. 8:12

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CHAPTER TEN: QUESTIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, AND FINANCIAL SINS

Money is a private matter. Im ashamed of my debt and poor management. I need to save money before I can give any. Churches are all about money. I dont trust the church. I give to other organizations, ministries, charitiesthe church at large. The Bible says to give in secret. We shouldnt talk about giving habits. I cant giveIm a poor college student. I cant giveI dont have anything. I want to give, but I just keep forgetting. I am giving faithfully. Common financial sins (see page 64): idolatry; pride; unnecessary debt; envy and covetousness; no fear of the Lord; laziness; lack of planning; greed; false doctrine; not giving or tithing; selshness; hope in wealth; seeking satisfaction in wealth; freeloading; worry; lack of vision; entitlement.

CHAPTER ELEVEN: BUDGET FOR JUDGMENT DAY

We minimize and compartmentalize certain aspects of life and choose to believe that God only cares about holy things. This is a lie. The enemy wins when our money is separated from our walk with Jesus. If you want to honor God with your money, building a budget is a form of worship. A budgetor Gods commandsmay feel restrictive, but the boundaries are there to protect us and guide us. Its not the gas gauges fault when you sputter to a halt on the freeway.

CHAPTER TWELVE: STEWARDSHIP BY LIFE STAGE

Children Teach your kids about Jesus and their need for his grace. Invite your kids into the conversation.

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Teach your kids to divide their money into three categories: give, save, spend. Dont stifle innovation; allow failure. Engage your kids and teach them discernment. Model generosity.

Young Singles Establish giving patterns now. Learn from others that are ahead of you. Consider what youd bring into a marriage. Take advantage of compound interest. Have fun.

Married Couples No secrets. Leverage each others strengths, but dont abdicate responsibility. Understand each others weaknesses. Use money as a gift to foster oneness. Start living on husbands income as soon as possible. Husbands and fathers: purchase life insurance to provide for your family in your absence.

Middle Age and Older Dont defer or compartmentalize ministry Share your story, your wisdom, your success, and your failures.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ESTABLISHING A LEGACY

Walk with Jesus Who will be impacted by my walk with Jesus? A particular age group, culture, neighbor, family member? Mission What will I have done in obedience to Jesus commandment to make disciples of all nations and fulll the Great Commission? Family What will my family look like? How many children? Where will we live?
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Friendships Who will my friends be? To whom will I have been a friend? Career What will I have spent my life working on or working for? Finances What will I leave behind nancially and to whom? Where will the money God has entrusted to me have the greatest impact for the gospel? Housing Will I pass on real estate as part of my legacy? Giving How much will I give between today and my last day? Have I given generously throughout my life, and will I continue to do so through my estate?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: IT STARTS TODAY

Plan Give Purchase life insurance Budget Create an emergency fund Pay off debt Save for retirement Save for college Estate plan

Best Practices Keep it simple. Stay on track. Dont go it alone. Youre not in heaven (it wont be perfect). Carry your own load; share your burdens. Stewardship is a lifestyle (not a one-time knowledge injection). One day at a time: ask God for wisdom for each day, and begin there.

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APPENDIX A FOR FURTHER READING

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe
By Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears Explains stewardship within the context of the whole Bible.

Total Money Makeover

By Dave Ramsey Mainstream practical nancial advice that aligns with many of the principles found in Scripture.

Financial Peace
By Dave Ramsey Ramseys original book takes a more general approach (what to do) than Total Money Makeover (how to do it).

The Treasure Principle

By Randy Alcorn An excellent introduction to biblical stewardship that you can read in one or two sittings. Alcorn is a pastor and a best-selling author who walks the walk.

Money, Possession, and Eternity

By Randy Alcorn Alcorns denitive book on the subject of stewardship tackles the same themes as The Treasure Principle, only at greater length and in much greater depth.

Desiring God
By John Piper One chapter deals with money specically, but the entire book provides helpful insight on what it means to make God our greatest treasure.

Dont Waste Your Life

By John Piper How Christian stewardship plays out in our lifestyle, our priorities, and what we treasure.

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Neither Poverty nor Riches

By Craig Blomberg A tour through the whole Bible in sequential order to discuss what each book, genre, and Testament teaches us about money and stewardship.

Running Scared
By Edward T. Welch Great insight on a subject that drives our money decisions. Welch devotes a chapter to nancial worry specically.

Passing the Plate

By Christian Smith and Michael O. Emerson A team of researchers present the most comprehensive study to date on giving, Christians, and the church. The subtitle is telling: Why American Christians Dont Give More Money.

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APPENDIX B BUDGET TEMPLATE

There are many great budgeting tools available, but here is a basic template to help you get started. Look up Dave Ramsey or Crown Financial for further nancial guidance.
Monthly EARN Gross Wages Taxes/Deductions Retirement Deduction Other Income Total Income GIVE Church Other Total Giving DEBT Student Loan Auto Loan Credit Card #1 Credit Card #2 Other Total Debt
Make it a priority to pay o debt ASAP List Mortgage in Housing (below) 10% of earnings (suggested starting line) If Other income is taxable, be sure to save enough of your earnings to pay the IRS

Yearly Total

Notes
Use Net Income (After Taxes and Deductions)

SAVE Emergency Retirement Other Total Savings SPEND Insurance Life

College, down payment, etc.

Calculate how much you need to save per month Essential for fathers

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Auto Home Housing Utilities Electricity Water Trash Gas Auto Fuel Maintenance Groceries Clothing Upkeep Hygiene Recreation Eating Out Entertainment Hospitality Mobile Phone Internet/TV/Phone Christmas

Probably 0-40% of income Budget according to high-use months

Probably 10%-30% of income Replacing, xing and cleaning things around the house Toiletries, haircuts, etc.

Plan to bless others

Save a little each month to have money for gifts, dates, etc. Subscriptions, membershipsdont leave anything out

Other Total Expenses

TOTAL MARGIN

This number should be close to zero (not negative). A good budget accounts for the majority of income and expenses

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