Jesus lived an adult life of abject poverty. He owned nothing, gave away what he had, and depended on the largesse of others for the barest of necessities.
Mother Teresa was the same. She headed a vast organization of ministries set up to help others, yet she owned a single sari, and had no desire to amass things.
How far off base are today’s leaders of the church who abide in mansions, sleep in soft beds, and travel on private jets? Isn’t the money better when it’s given away?
Perhaps not. It’s not what we have. It’s how we use it.
2 Corinthians 8:20 sets God’s parameters:
“Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in the abundance which is administered by us.”
Great abundance. Hm. So, they were filled with the spirit of God…no, that wasn’t it. God must have blessed them with new converts. Yes, that must be it. Nice, but nope! Well, it must have been a massive healing service that swept through the city. It took many men to organize the crowd, so that the service would function efficiently.
All wrong on all accounts. They were flush with cash! God had loaded them up, and they had more than they could quickly spend.
What did that verse say? “…That no man should blame us…”
The rich Christian is still a Christian. Their money is not a sin. God only gives two qualifications for trusting us with money, and both are found in the very next verse.
2 Corinthians 8:21 tells us that we must use the money to:
1. Provide for honest things in the sight of the Lord.
2. Provide for honest things in the sight of men.
Poverty is not next to godliness. Neither is wealth. If God gives us money, our mandate is to provide for honest things in the sight of both God and man. Then and only then does God put his stamp of approval on our wealth.
If we’re poor, we can’t afford to be jealous of those with massive bank accounts. If they use it wisely in the sight of God and men, then it’s theirs by rights, and they have God’s stamp of approval on each and every bank account they hold in their name.
God’s blessing are to whom he pleases, and jealously makes no one a better person.
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Code: FGO.E.17.15.vp.kjv