Intro

Some readers have asked how they can support this blog.  The blog itself is adequately funded without reader support; however, if it has blessed you please consider making a gift to Haiti Outreach Ministries.  They have a particular need right now, as they have lost the source of funding for the only medical clinic in one of the poorer communities in Haiti.  You can learn more about the clinic by viewing the video at:

The video calls into sharp relief the differences in wealth between the United States and our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, so this week’s blog post will explore some of what the Bible has to say about both wealth and giving.

 

Scripture

The scriptures indicate that wealth comes from God in 1 Samuel 2:7:

7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.

But wealth also comes with many warnings!  Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:6-10:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

James warned those that would hoard wealth in the latter times in James 5:1-6:

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

And perhaps the scariest warnings of all from our Lord in Matthew 13:22:

22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

And Mark 10:25:

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

In regards to giving, we are both commanded to give, as in Luke 6:38

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

And reminded that giving is our choice, as in Acts 5:1-4:

1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

And 2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Finally, in Corinthians 13:3 we are reminded that giving, in the absence of love, is useless:

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Commentary

Northern California, where I reside, has a very large immigrant population.  Many of these immigrants have left families in their home countries, and are working here to support not just themselves, but also the families they left behind.  On Fridays, you can see long lines at business that offer “remittances”- international wire transfers- and immigrant workers wait for hours to send money back to the ones that they love.  As the body of Christ, we have family members in other lands as well, and they are waiting for our kindness and support.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.