The Real Purpose Of Money

This Bible Study should have gone up last week.
I was on the road yesterday and really tired but still this morning I was awakened with it in my heart – it’s probably meant for someone… and me.

 

I remember telling a friend of mine about my brother’s testimony of a new job (see post here) and about the fact that he earns 3 times that of his former job and he said “really? Big boy!”
The reply grated at me because money doesn’t equate to “big boy!”
Again, I remember discussing with someone on my plans after NYSC and all I said was “I am still praying for God to lead me but mostly, I want to be where He wants me to be, I want to walk in purpose”.
And he said “so what plans do you have for money?”
I said “I have human plans, business ideas but ultimately, what I need money for right now is for the path God has set me on. Publishing the books, funds for doing the seminars at schools, etc. When I walk in purpose, I know that God has got me covered in other things, job and all that(this is probably a word for someone who’s scared and going along with worries, worry not sis and bro)
Both instances and more have led me into searching the Word for the real purpose of money.

 
As usual, I mostly state how God has dealt with me on things along with the Word as my background.
So let’s get into today’s study…

 
Ephesians 4:28
“If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.”

 

You would think that the Bible would say let him work so he can take care of himself but no.
It says let him work and then give generously to others in need.

 

Let’s check out some other versions.
New International Version
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

GOD’S WORD® Translation
Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.

 

Whichever way you look at it, it says “so that he will have something to share with those in need”.
So the money anyone makes isn’t even supposed to be for himself first of all.
It’s to be given away.
To who?
To those in need.
How do we classify what the Bible means by those in need?
Well, let me share a bit of my own experience here…

Old readers of this blog must already know that I won 100K from Diamond bank when I was at Law School last year(see post here) and that was where my lessons began on the real purpose of money.
I had said that I didn’t really know what to use the money for aside from paying my tithe and feeling led to give my brother a certain sum but God actually led me to give away the entire sum in a series of events that I won’t really go into here.

But let’s xray my own experience and bring out some lessons out of it.

 

Firstly, I knew that I was to pay my tithe and as at that time, I felt like that was my only due to God.
How many of us get money right now and feel as long as we section off God’s tithe to Him we are good?

 

Secondly, I felt led to give my brother some money.
And that was giving but it’s also easy to give our family money right? After all we are family.

 

Where it became heavy on me was after I felt like “I had paid my dues”, and God asked me to give to someone’s ministry.
Like Lord are you for real?
I have shared out the money that I am supposed to give out, what is this???
But then my lessons on the real purpose of money began for real here.
I went to Church and on the same day I told the person I can’t send any funds, the Pastor said “when God blesses you, it’s not for you, it’s to give into His kingdom, to fund His work”.
Boom!
I still didn’t give immediately but those words set a seed in my heart that the Holy Spirit began to work on.
I remember being in a bus and still discussing with the Spirit on the issue and finally I gave it out and now felt like “I had paid my dues”.

 
Fast-forward to this year and my wanting to start a business with the remainder and some cash I had saved and God said give it all.
I won’t say it was easy but at this time I already loved God too much to not obey Him and so I did.
But more than the obedience God worked on my heart.
From thinking just the tithe was His…
To knowing that I actually have to fund His kingdom from anything He blesses me with…
To knowing that actually EVERYTHING He blesses me with isn’t mine, it’s HIS and whenever He requires it, I the steward should lay it down at His feet.

 

 

But some of us may ask, what about our own needs?
If all my money is for God, what about what I will feed my family with?
Well, thank God that He has got us covered.

 

Matthew 6.31-33
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

 

Some of may think that seeking the kingdom first only means going to Church and living in holiness and purity.
But no, seeking the kingdom first also includes seeking Him first with our money, gifts, resources, time, etc.
So when we get any money in this instance, what are we supposed to do?
We are supposed to be looking out for the kingdom.
What can I solve in the kingdom?
Who has a need that I can fill?
Who can I share this money with in God’s house?
Is there a need that I can meet?

 

Now God says “when you do this He will give you everything you need”.
Some of us try to work this in reverse order.
We keep what we need first and then give Him His own.
His saying place me first doesn’t mean that He will then start taking all your salary/allowee.
Placing Him first mostly works in the heart and finds expression outwardly.
When your heart places God first, then He knows that anytime He requires finances from you, you will give Him first before any other person.

 

 

Let’s wrap up with 1Timothy 6:17-19
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

 

I remember reading this verse and linking it up with Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

 

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be too.
So when 1Timothy says” they will be storing up their treasures as a good foundation for the future”, it doesn’t mean on earth, it means in heaven.
And how do you do that?
By placing the kingdom first.
And how do you place the kingdom first?
By giving.
Being rich in good works, generous to everyone.
Not just “me me and me” but “give, give and give.”
Give of your money, give of your time, give of your talents, give of your gifts, give of your resources.
Spill them out not just for what you can get but for others.

 

We should know that this directive isn’t only for the rich, because some of us will claim that we are not rich yet but that’s not technically correct is it?
The word say, Jesus became poor so that we can be made rich so we all in Christ are rich!
We are blessed with all blessings on high.
We may all be walking in different physical manifestations of the blessing but we are all rich in Christ so that applies to us all.
That said, even though you might not be as rich physically right now, what do you do with the little money you have?
Me, myself and I, that’s all?
Where’s the kingdom on your list?
Where’s the less privileged on your list?
Where is that guy who doesn’t have a job that lives on your street on your list?

 

We must know also that this purpose of money isn’t just for the kingdom, this is actually the ticket to getting more from God.

Remember Jesus said, when you place the kingdom first, you will get everything you need.
So when you don’t place the kingdom first what happens?
I leave that to our imagination.
Now, if we really get this right, we will know that the fact that you earn “3 times that of your first job” doesn’t make you a big boy.
It makes the kingdom a big kingdom!
Wowzers!
Can you imagine having Christians in Churches who get huge incomes and are not afraid to give it out at God’s say so?

 
Those on my BBM know that these days I have been pointing out different things and saying “#There is a need!”
Everywhere there is a need!
Some I can help in my little capacity right now, some I cant.
But there is a need.
And I pray that God opens our eyes to see these needs.
There is a need for Christians who know the real purpose of money to arise.
There is a need for Christians who look beyond themselves to arise.
There is a need for Christians who are more concerned with the kingdom than with themselves.
Christians who have no unhealthy attachment to money but know that they are simply stewards.
Am I there yet in totality?
Sometimes I still argue with Him when He says give.
But I want giving to be my default mode.
That when He says give it, I do so promptly!(obeying promptly is a study I should have posted sinceee)

But I am glad that He is teaching me and teaching us on the real purpose of money now.
Everyone that reads this study cannot plead ignorance later on.
Let God work on your heart and let Him peel off every unhealthy attachment to money that may be in there.

 

 

 

Prayer:

Lord search my heart.
Peel off every mindset that is not of you.
Let your kingdom be my first priority.
Let your house and sharing with your people be my first goal.
Help me to place you first in all that I have, including my finances and when you say “let go”, help me to give of what you have given me promptly.
Thank you Lord, for in Jesus matchless name I have prayed, amen.”

 
Now, subscribers would have gotten the emails with links to the page to download the PDF of this study.
And I will upload it on the page and also upload on this post for everyone to download the PDF of this study for everyone who’d want to re-read and meditate on it later on to do so without coming online.

So please check back on this post later on.

 

And please share with us in the comment section below what was laid in your heart as you studied along with us.

Hope you didn’t just read this? Fix those Bible passages in your heart and let them come alive in you.
I believe that God is molding us all into perfection in Him, even in this area.
Till our next #OnlineBibleStudy,
Love,
Frances.

 

P.S- We have done a study on giving before and if you missed it, read it here

 

UPDATE…

Click here to download the PDF of this study

And click here to go to the page for free PDF’s of Bible Studies on the blog.