Beth-El Baptist Church

12/07/2008

Greg Tomlinson


Should Christians save and invest money?


I recently read and article associated with the current “financial crisis” that has hit upon not only America but the entire world. The author of the letter asserts that “Some have lost huge amounts of money that they had saved or invested in financial markets ... and strangely enough, some of these are Christians.” The implication is very strong here that the author does not believe that Christians are to save money nor invest money. They use Matthew 6:19-21 to back up their claim and point to Matthew 6:25-34 as validation that the Christian is not to give any thought to what the future may hold but only take care of or worry about today (referring to Matthew 6:34).


  1. What is the context of these starting passages?

Matthew 6:1-34 Matthew 7:1-5 (cmp 1 Corinthians 5:9-13)


The primary context of Matthew 6 is a man's religious live being expressed in public. Notice Jesus talks about “alms giving” that is to be seen by men and prayer that is to be seen by men and fasting that is to be seen by men. All of these issues are then followed by Jesus talking about where you gather together your treasures. This is then followed by Jesus identifying the judgment of one person by another. The idea of judging another is not in association with calling sin what it is, for we are called to judge (identify and deal with) the sin of the brethren. Therefore, Matthew 7 continues the theme of religious activities being carried out before men. In context then, the section of gather up treasures has to do more with an attitude of self exultation.


  1. What do the scriptures say about being wealthy?

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Matthew 13:22; 19:21-26; 27:57

Mark 10:23, 24 Luke 1:53; 6:23; 16:9-13

Psalm 49:6-9; 62:10-11 Jeremiah 9:23-34

Proverbs 30:7-9


The scriptures neither exalt nor condemn wealth all by itself. What is condemned is the attitude of the heart that pursues riches and forsakes the things of God. It is very difficult for a rich man to be able to humble himself before God and recognize the reality of their poverty. Although they may have great riches, in the presence of God they have nothing of true value. The wealth that they have is not for their own use but for the use of the body of Jesus Christ.


  1. What do the scriptures say about saving ?

Proverbs 13:11-12; 21:5-6, 19; 22:7 Genesis 41:34-36; 50:20

Ecclesiastes 11:2 Proverbs 3:9, 10

1 Corinthians 16:2


Setting aside some funds for the future is considered a wise thing. Having money in reserve can protect against very harsh economic times. Without Joseph saving the grain during the years of plenty, he would not have been able to save the lives of the Egyptians nor the lives of his brethren. It is through savings that difficult times of the brethren living elsewhere might be preserved.


  1. What might be reasons for saving?

1 Timothy 5:4-8; 6:17-19 1 Corinthians 7:21

Luke 14:28-30 Proverbs 13:22; 30:24-25; 31:16


There are several reasons for setting aside some funds in a type of savings account. One such reason is the care of the elderly family members who are incapable of caring for themselves. Those who diligently prepare for life beyond working years are better able to finish up their lives in some sort of comfort. Illness may set in, especially in the later years (think Alzheimer disease), making it impossible to continue working and savings eases the care. Another reason would be the setting aside funds to enable economic freedom. Those who have saved money are in a better position to begin their own business if they so desire, help their children to obtain an education which allows them the freedom for better employment and a better ability to provide for the needs of others. Savings also allows one to complete plans they have established. These plans may be for the growth of the kingdom. If people did not save, then special projects for missionaries, churches, Christian service organizations would have more difficulty raising funds.


  1. What is Jesus' point if saving and investing are the the primary issues?

James 32:31-33 Proverbs 28:20, 22

1 Timothy 6:7-10 Ecclesiastes 5:13-16

Luke 12:16-21, 34


The issue Jesus is dealing with is the saving of money for 'oneself' and not seeking to utilize their wealth nor their life for the things of God. They build up their lives to be seen by others as worth more respect and honor due to their personal wealth. The point ultimately is the hoarding of money and the trusting in money. The rich man who is able to lose all of his wealth and still rejoice in God because “the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21) has the right attitude concerning wealth.


Summary:


There is nothing in the scriptures that actually condemn saving. It is in many ways recommended to save money. The saved money can be used for the furtherance of the kingdom of God at opportune times. It can be used to preserve life during hard economic times. It can be used to procure a sense of freedom. All of these can be the results of saving and without saving there would be no way to pursue these goals that will enable one to more readily be able to serve God..