From blessing to burdens...

I recently listened to a series by the Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert, Arizona. The teaching series was on biblical financial money management. For those of you that know me, you understand this is a passion of mine and I feel that the church could not have batched this any more badly than we have today. This can be represented in the misquoting of 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Most people, utter this phrase without "the love of" changing the meaning of the scripture.

Although, it may on the surface seem subtle, but it changes everything. By making the money, and not the pursuit of it, the seed of all kinds of evil we have made money fundamentally evil. Furthermore, it is not even the pursuit of money that is evil, rather the fruits that came from the seeding. Daresay, not only do I think that it is possible to pursue money in a holy way, but I believe that it is scriptural to pursue money. And yes, God wants you to have plenty of it. So much that my hope is that all Christians possess the capacity of character to have millions touch their fingers.

I realize that this seems like I'm preaching a prosperity gospel, but if you reread my statements carefully and understand the scriptural principles it is founded in, you will see that I'm not telling you that God wants you to healthy, wealthy, and happy. Rather, I am making the statement, "How did we allow our pastors stop teaching us about money when 1/3 of the bible refers to material management?" This is the most written about bible topic, yet is the least spoken of in the church. If we are to be like God, and He is the ultimate example of a giver, why aren't we giving like He wants us to? I believe it is because church goers become so offended when they hear a preacher talk about money, that they have neglected to ever do so from a pulpit. In doing so, we have unwittingly tossed the most abundantly talked about subject in scripture creating a gap for all the unbiblical perspectives of money to creep into God's people. It's never about the amount of money, it's always the attitude towards money.

There was a phrase uttered in one of the sermons referring to money as God's blessings being turned to burdens. Food, money, relationships are some examples. These are all gifts from our creator and we turn them into burdens, or worse, idols. Why is this so?

I believe that we've walked away from the fundamental concept of personal restraint and wisdom. There are so many things in life that when overdone, or not at all, become a problem. We all need to eat but if you took your cues based upon what you see in the world you wind up with a eating disorder. Advertisements teach us to be anorexic or obese depending on whether you care more about what others think or what you desire and deserve.

Money is no different. The church generally preaches that we are supposed to have peace, freedom, and growth in our lives but how many in the church today would describe their finances like that? The more likely scenario is a description of turmoil, slavery, and stagnation. Most feel like they are spinning their wheels and no traction is being made.

Where does the path to this financial freedom lie? Well, any positive growth begins at a negative starting line. This is natural and should be expected. If you want something different, you need to act differently. Things need to change because as Dave Ramsey would say, "Broke is normal, so let's get weird."

Time to get weird people. If you want material that will change your life, you need to read and change it yourself. You dug yourself into the hole, time to do the work to climb out. Let me say though, it is absolutely possible. There is always hope, sometimes it's hard to see, but it is always there.

Some books to start strong:
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
by Dave Ramsey


The Millionaire Next Doorby Thomas Stanley

At the end of the day, there is no get rich quick plan. Getting wealthy so that you can give it all away is a path of baby steps. There are no teleporters on God's path to financial money management.