Why Some Christians Go Broke!
Sabbath Afternoon
12/05/2015
It is not the ideal will of God that His people should be mired in debt, or barely be able to survive from a pecuniary perspective, especially in places where an abundance of means and ample opportunities for a noble existence is available to all. Even though we have read of the faithfulness of the widow with her two mites, yet we are to understand that right here in America, and in other developed countries, her poverty is to be the exception, rather than the rule, whenever, and wherever we have the physical and mental ability to do better.
But we should never conclude that it is God’s ideal will for His people to be broke or impoverished, for the Bible clearly states that if God’s people were to adopt godly principles, instructions, and laws, then success will attend us on our way. Furthermore, if as Christians we are continually broke, then the cause of truth will ultimately suffer, because of a lack of funds, and because of the impressions that will be left on the minds of those who do not fear God, who are likely to draw conclusions based on what they see.
For instance, if a person is an atheist, or secularist, and has been exposed to some limited knowledge of Christianity, of which he would like to do more research on before deciding in favor of the religion of the Bible, then his curiosity and intelligence will lead him to do some investigation as to the pros and cons of the Christian faith. But if in his search he were to discover that the vast majority of God’s people are wallowing in serious debt, and losing their homes and churches at an alarming rate, he will be led to question what is the root cause, and this impression of Christ’s religion may produce a bad taste in his mouth.
And worst yet, if he were to read the following news headlines, he may have serious doubts about whether Christianity makes sense or not, if he is predisposed to reason along strictly logical lines of thought. Let’s read:
Personal Finance | Fri Mar 9, 2012 10:25am EST Related: U.S., MONEY, HOUSING MARKET
Banks foreclosing on churches in record numbers
LOS ANGELES | BY TIM REID
Banks are foreclosing on America's churches in record numbers as lenders increasingly lose patience with religious facilities that have defaulted on their mortgages, according to new data. The surge in church foreclosures represents a new wave of distressed property seizures triggered by the 2008 financial crash, analysts say, with many banks no longer willing to grant struggling religious organizations forbearance. Churches are among the final institutions to get foreclosed upon because banks have not wanted to look like they are being heavy handed with the churches," said Scott Rolfs, managing director of Religious and Education finance at the investment bank Ziegler.
However, this Bible study will not directly address the age old issue of tithes and offerings, for we have already covered those issues on several occasions previously, hence the reason why our focus will be on the practical application, or neglect of Biblical principles as it pertains to financial stability. In the word of God there are formats given to us for both temporal and spiritual success, and since The Lord is more practical than most Christians realize, it will do us well to study the principles and laws that are laid down in His word, so that we may chart straight paths for our feet. This does not mean that every single Christian will be lifted out of poverty, but as a general rule of thumb, great success will attend our way if we were to diligently adopt and implement the instructions given in the scriptures. Let’s read:
Joshua 1:7 “Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The following issues therefore are some of the most common reasons why some Christians end up being broke, and as we study from root cause to effect we hope that God will grant to us a humble spirit that we may be instructed from His word in these and all
other matters. First of all, we begin with the most common claim:
[1] We do not earn enough to be financially viable.
This has often been put forward as the reason why we cannot make ends meet, but in many cases, it’s not how much or little we earn, but rather how we manage the funds that are entrusted to us by God.
Now it’s important for us to understand that some of the truths presented will be pretty blunt, for as stated previously on this forum, God is much more practical than many Christians realize, and if we are to harbor reasonable expectations of Him, then we will need to follow the guidelines He has given us faithfully, without being motivated by emotionalism or spontaneous decision-making, that often causes us to go into the red. In addition to this, if we were to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, and drink our medicine, God will be more than pleased to guide and deliver according to His good will. But if we refuse and rebel against His plain utterances, we can be assured that satan will absolutely smoke us out, until we are reduced to less than nothing. Let’s read:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Thus, in accordance with the immutable laws of sowing and reaping, the real issue we must address as pertains to earned income, is that of living within our means, and having the necessary discipline and self-denial to keep our outflows below our inflows.
One of the first instructions given in the Garden of Eden is to “Replenish”, which simply means to put back or restore that which has been expended or used. Therefore if we do not have a plan in place to replenish what we desire to spend, then we should avoid spending in the first place, wherever this is possible.
It is worthy of note that even though we live in the richest country on earth, America, for many years has had to borrow money from poorer countries to pay its debt, and what takes place in high places has all too often produced a trickle-down effect, for just as the rain water falls high up in the mountains and flows all the way down to the valleys, just so we are seeing the adverse effects of the majority of people not being able to meet their obligations without borrowing, just like the federal government cannot meet its financial obligations without going deeper and deeper into debt.
Thus, to cure this monetary madness, we will need to buckle up and take drastic measures to harness our spending, lest satan bind many of us with these financial chains, and thereby compass our ruin. This will call for great sacrifice and self-discipline, but we should here remember that the words disciple and discipline come from the same root, and therefore we should be willing and ready to implement the laws, instructions, and principles that are given in God’s word. Let’s read:
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
It is worthy of note that some of the world’s richest men are often found to be the most frugal in their spending habits, while the much poorer classes are usually the ones who are quick to spend on things that are not really needed, and who are motivated in many cases by impulse. Let us take for instance two well-known public figures who are billionaires, Donald Trump, and Warren Buffet. For all of his boastful claims, it is surprising that Donald trump has actually spent far less than most of the other candidates, whereas one would expect him to be flaunting his cash in every which way. In other words, he is running a very fiscally conservative campaign, and only spends when he absolutely has to. This contrasts with some other candidates who have already run out of cash, and were forced out of the horse race because of mismanagement, or a lack of funds. Let’s read:
The Washington Post: Donald Trump’s extremely fiscally conservative campaign. By Chris Cillizza December 2 at 7:44 AM.
Donald Trump has spent less than 1 percent as much money as Jeb Bush on ads so far in the 2016 election, according to calculations made by NBC News, even as the real estate mogul continues to lap the former Florida governor in both key early state and national polls. Jeb and his aligned Right to Rise super PAC have dropped $28.9 million on TV ads to Trump's $217,000 on a flight of radio ads. That spending chasm is almost the inverse of where each man stands in the race -- with Trump alone at the top and Jeb mired in the murky middle.
But Warren Buffet is even more of a case study than Trump, for although the Donald has a plethora of flamboyant homes across America, Buffet bought his house in 1958 for a mere $31,500.00, and has been content to live at the same residence ever since. It may very well be that those who do not know Christ are silently implementing Biblical principles, while those of us who profess to know the Bible are accepting the short end of the stick. Let’s read:
But Warren Buffet is even more of a case study than Trump, for although the Donald has a plethora of flamboyant homes across America, Buffet bought his house in 1958 for a mere $31,500.00, and has been content to live at the same residence ever since. It may very well be that those who do not know Christ are silently implementing Biblical principles, while those of us who profess to know the Bible are accepting the short end of the stick. Let’s read:
Article by The Motley Fool.
Warren Buffett's house is the object of endless fascination when people learn about him -- and for good reason. Buffett is one of the richest people in the world; therefore, it's always surprising to learn that he's lived in the same house for most of his adult life. Warren Buffett bought his house in Omaha, Nebraska in 1958 for $31,500. The house is stucco, and has five bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Warren Buffett has called his house "the third best investment" he ever made.
Now, there is a difference between being frugal and being cheap. A mature Christian will, by the grace of God be able to practice fiscal discipline, while at the same time being benevolent, for the two principles are actually inseparably intertwined in the scripture. In other words, those who have to give when there is a call for finances, are usually the ones who have exercised frugality from principle, gathering up the fragments that nothing be lost, whilst at the same time having their hands wide open to help those who are in need, or responding liberally whenever the cause of God requires funds.
This fine balance of frugality and benevolence can be found in Christ who set the example by precept and active exercise of both virtues. In addition to this, the servant of The Lord has written a note-worthy commentary on both principles, one which deserves our consideration. Let’s read:
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
[Counsels on Stewardship pp. 251] Those whose hands are open to respond to the calls for means to sustain the cause of God and to relieve the suffering and the needy, are not the ones who are found loose and lax and dilatory in their business management. They are always careful to keep their outgoes within their income. They are economical from principle; they feel it their duty to save, that they may have something to give.
[2] The issue of unnecessary upgrades.
The issue of unnecessary upgrades is one of the points we need to observe closely, for it is often the case that we decide to purchase new and upgraded furniture, or a new car with hefty payments, when in fact, the one we have presently works just fine. The Joneses who live next door should not be the motivating factor for any of our new purchases and upgrades, neither should we permit fad or fashion to ultimately drive us to the showroom or the mall. The desire to have the latest model car, or even the newest i-phone, has driven many Christians deep in the red, for the wages of sin is “Debt”.
Very careful consideration of actual needs versus wants should be done before making purchases of any kind, and it will help a great deal to budget first before going window shopping, where certain items that glitter the eye have the potential to suddenly become urgent needs. Especially are we to guard against the abuse of agent plastic, which history has shown is far less painful to use than cold, hard cash. Credit cards do allow us to make our purchases with someone else’s money, and after the euphoria of the moment is gone, then we are left saddled with high interest payments that often cause us to stint the cause of God. In addition to this, our net worth is based not on what we owe, but rather on what we own, and thus it is important that Christians not fall into the snare of unnecessary upgrades. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
[3] Loose spending in times of plenty.
There is a general tendency for many Christians to spend loosely in times of plenty, when we are far less likely to give careful thought to our outflows. When there is an abundance of cash, most people do not think of the rainy days, which according to the Bible will certainly come, and many more are persuaded by satanic agencies dressed in garments of light, to spend wantonly on what may seem to be good, at the time.
The common excuse, that we can afford such an item is often touted as the reason why we should indulge in unwarranted purchases, but the real question is will we be left empty-handed after “Affording” it. The fact that folks do tend to be more lavish and careless in times of plenty is one of the important points mentioned in the Bible, with the hope that the knowledge of this phenomena will ultimately cause a change for the better in our thinking and decision making processes. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
This last point is borne out in the experience of the prodigal son who, because of an over-abundance of cash, spent it all on riotous living.
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
On receiving such a large sum of cash so suddenly, the prodigal son, who did not have the necessary experience to handle so much funds responsibly, immediately embarked upon a wild shopping spree, making his first stop at the local Porsche dealership, where he picked out the priciest automobile that money could buy at the time. And he did not desire to settle for the base model, but added a few extras such as 22 inch rims, low profile tires, and a robust sound system with 18 inch speakers. From there he went to your local mall, where he bought the latest types of bling in abundance, ranging from the new I-phone six to a large 80 inch flat screen TV, so he could view his favorite games and movies in larger than life proportions.
And to make things worse, whilst at the shopping mall he ran into his financial advisor “Santa Claws” who then encouraged him to spend more than he should, with the promise that after the yuletide season, the monetary issues will just vanish into thin air. Then after spending those huge sums without thinking soberly, he decided to pass the evening at south beach, where apparently there are girls, girls everywhere. And so it was, that in one day, he blew the better portion of his father’s hard-earned cash, drinking at earth’s polluted cisterns on things that do not satisfy.
But as the word of God declares, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap, and thus, swiftly and surely a day of reckoning was coming, in which he would be now forced to ponder in silence, his rash decisions with vain regrets and remorse. And then, to avert total collapse he has no choice but to feed swine, the only job he could get at the time, since his youthful days and energies were not spent in pursuing an education, but was rather expended on the instant gratification of the moment, when he was spending loosely in times of plenty. Let’s read:
Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, for in each and every one of our Christian experiences, there are times when we have made grave mistakes in both the financial and spiritual realms, and God who is faithful, and takes no delight in the poverty of His people sends us words of reproof, caution, and encouragement, with the hope that we will grab the bull by the horns and make the necessary reforms so that we may extricate ourselves from financial slavery.
Then it is, that the results of His gracious overtures will depend on what we do with the instructions and cautions given, for if as stated before, we were to humbly drink our medicine, God will respond in the affirmative by helping us out of the hole we may have dug for ourselves, for as the scriptures declare, He takes no delight in the many adversities we may have brought upon ourselves, but rather seeks earnestly to reinstate us to where we ought to have been in the first place to be.
Therefore, in harmony with His good purposes for His people, and for Christians everywhere, we end with a passage of scripture which ought to trigger sober reflection, and thus be the catalyst for permanent change in our behaviors and decision-making, that we may avoid answering in our own personal lives, that cryptic question “Why some Christians go broke”. Let’s read:
1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called”….
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!