A.      In the previous lessons, we have considered both godly and ungodly attitudes toward money as well as godly and ungodly means of obtaining money.

B.      In this final lesson, we will consider the Bible’s direction concerning how we should use the money we have.

                                                             1.      Once again, the issue turns upon our attitude toward money.  Do we love it?  Do we hoard it?  Do we waste it?  Do we place our confidence in it?  Or do we see it for what it really is – a blessing from God to be used in godly ways?

                                                             2.      The matter is well-summarizing in this quote by W. Graham Scroggie:

“There are two ways in which a Christian may view his money – ‘How much of my money shall I use for God?’ or, ‘How much of God's money shall I use for myself?’”

II.      THE USE OF MONEY

A.      One way to use money is to save it.

                                                             1.      There is great wisdom in saving money.

a.       A wise person does not spend every penny he earns, but instead he saves some of it for the future.

b.       Notice Proverbs 21:20 – “There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.”

c.        Like the ant in Proverbs 6:6-8, a wise man gathers provisions in store at a time of prosperity so that he will be supplied in a time of poverty.

                                                             2.      It is good to save, but we must not place our security in savings accounts and stored treasures.

a.       The rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) had “goods laid up for many years to come,” but his security was misplaced.  He laid up treasure for himself, but was not rich toward God.

b.       The Lord instructed us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to lay up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).  This is not a prohibition against saving, but it is an instruction for us to make heaven our first priority (Matt. 6:33).

B.      Another way to use money is to spend it.

                                                             1.      Some types of spending are necessary and good in the sight of God.

a.       It is right and good for us to use money to provide for our own families, including spouses, children, and parents (Matt. 15:1-9; 1Tim. 5:8).

b.       It is also necessary for us to pay taxes for the support of our government (Matt. 22:10-21; Rom. 13:6-7).

c.        Likewise, it is good for us to spend money for the needs of others (more on this below).

d.       We must use discretion in spending money for things we want that go beyond things we need.  God does not forbid all worldly comforts and pleasures, but we must be careful not to be wasteful or excessive.  God places money into our control (Acts 5:4), so we will have to account for how we use it.

                                                             2.      There are other types of spending that are evil.

a.       So much money is wasted in various ways.

i.         Waste is typically the results of foolishness – either foolish indulgence or foolish investments.

ii.        Notice Proverbs 17:16 (NIV) – “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?”

iii.      Someone once said, “A fool and his money are soon parted.”  Another said, “When a person with money meets a person with experience, the person with experience gets the money and the person with money gets experience.”

iv.      Benjamin Franklin said, “Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both.”

b.       A wasteful and evil use of money is for indulgent and godless pleasures.

i.         James spoke of ungodly pleasures when he wrote, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas. 4:3).

ii.        Consider the prodigal son, who wasted his inheritance on “loose living” (Luke 15:13).

c.        Another evil use of money is for bribery to obtain favor.

i.         “A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; wherever he turns, he prospers.” (Prov. 17:8)

ii.        “A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.” (Prov. 17:23)

iii.      “Many will seek the favor of a generous man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.   All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him!  He pursues them with words, but they are gone.”  (Prov. 19:6-7)

d.       Another common type of evil spending is unnecessary expenditures that lead to oppressive debt.

i.         As discussed in the previous lesson, the Bible does not condemn the practices of borrowing and lending.

ii.        However, excessive and unnecessary borrowing is an irresponsible use of God’s blessings.  The reason is because the resulting interest on debt takes away the freedom to use money for what is necessary, good, and right.

iii.      Notice Nehemiah 5:1-11.  Many Jews acquired oppressive debt in order to get food, and opportunistic extortionists took advantage of them.  Today, many people acquire oppressive debt not for food, but for unnecessary luxuries and pleasures.  This robs them of every resource and hinders their service to God.

C.      The third way to use money is to give it away.

                                                             1.      The very first use of our money should be to honor God with it by giving a portion back to Him.

a.       By the Law of Moses, Israel was to give the first fruits of the harvest back to God (Ex. 34:26; Lev. 23:9-11).

b.       “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Prov. 3:9-10)

c.        We likewise are to give for the Lord’s purposes as we have prospered (1Cor. 16:1-2; 2Cor. 9:6-8).

                                                             2.      The Proverbs are filled with exhortations to charity, benevolence, and generosity.

a.       “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.  Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” (3:27-28)

b.       “He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.” (14:21)

c.        “He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.” (14:31)

d.       “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” (19:17)

e.        “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.” (21:13)

f.        “He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (22:9)

g.        “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” (28:27)

                                                             3.      Christians have the responsibility to help the needy especially among their own number.

a.       This was well-exemplified in the early church (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 11:28-30; Rom. 15:25-27; 1Cor. 16:3-4; 2Cor. 8:1-5).

b.       Consider 1John 3:17 – “But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      This brief series concerning money has demonstrated to us that it is necessary to have a godly attitude about all aspects of money.

                                                             1.      It is not enough to obtain money in a godly way and then use it for ungodly purposes.

                                                             2.      Neither is it enough to make good use of money that has been acquired through dishonest means.

                                                             3.      In both our acquisition of money and our use of money, we must honor God.

B.      God has entrusted each of us with a stewardship, and our money is part of that for which we must give account.  Let us always look to God for wisdom in how we should use His blessings.