The Bible has a lot to say about money. There are over 2350 verses in the Bible on how to handle money and possessions. Yet, many people, including believers don’t understand the biblical principles concerning money. Many of our ideas about money come from the world. So, they are wrong and lead to great problems in our lives.
Our title “What is God’s Plan for Your Money?” has a problem. Most people think of the money in their bank account as their money. They reason that they earned it, so it’s there’s to do with as they please. But that’s not what the Bible teaches about our money.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (ESV) Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
These verses, as well as many others tell us that everything on this earth, including your bank account is God’s, He owns it. “All that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.” Any riches that we manage for Him came from Him as gifts to us. We are manager or stewards of the finances that we have been given. So a more accurate title would be: “What is God’s Plan for His Money in My Bank Account.” But that’s a little long for a title. Let’s look at a key principle of God’s plan for His money in your bank account.
Malachi 3:10 (ESV) Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
This is a command and a promise concerning our handling of God’s finances. God instructs us to regularly give the first 10% of our income to His house. In the Old Testament, that was the temple. In the New Testament and today, it is the church. When you are faithful to give your tithes to God, He promises to bless you, so you will have no more needs. What if you choose not to obey this command?
Malachi 3:8-9 (ESV) Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me,
When we don’t give our tithes to God, we are stealing from God, that which He told us to give directly to Him. Rather than receiving the promised blessing, we will receive a curse, which is the opposite of blessing. That is why believers who don’t tithe are generally in perpetual financial difficulty. Tithing purpose is to bring financial blessing into your life and to help extend the kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
When we seek God’s kingdom first with our finances, He promises to meet all our needs. Exactly the same promise as given to us in Malachi 3:10. What of the other 90% that is not part of the tithe? Is that ours to do with as we please? Absolutely not. All of my money, all of your money is His. We are to use it extend the Gospel and His kingdom. That includes meeting the needs of your family, blessing others, giving to missions above your tithe and following His direction with all your finances. So, let’s learn some exciting principles from Jesus about God’s Plans for the Money He’s given us to manage.