Possessions - Part One
Someone said, ‘The way we handle our money is perhaps the truest indicator of the spiritual condition of our heart.’
The Bible contains more than five hundred references to prayer and almost five hundred references to faith, but there are more than two thousand references to money and possessions. Out of the thirty-eight parables that Jesus told in the Gospels, sixteen deal with how we handle our money. Jesus said more about money and possessions than about heaven and hell combined. One out of every ten verses in the Gospels deals with money and possessions – 288 verses in four Gospels. Jesus addressed money matters because money matters Why? – Because our possessions have a habit of possessing us.
One day a rich young ruler came to Jesus asking how he might inherit eternal life. Jesus questioned him on his observance of God’s laws. The rich young ruler was quite confident that he had been above reproach regarding this. “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” As far as he was concerned he had an exemplary record of good works and law keeping. But Jesus knew his heart. “Then Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:17-22) His possessions possessed him.
This rich young ruler thought he had kept God’s Law. In actual fact, he had been continually breaking the 1st Commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” His money had become his god. Jesus tested him. Sadly, he failed the test.
Mark 10:24 “How hard it is for them who TRUST in riches to enter he Kingdom of God.”
Matthew 6:21 N.L.T “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
‘When you fix your eyes on things, invariably it leads to materialism. You fix your eyes on things and you will be continually attracted to gadgets, money, an abundance of the plastic, chrome, metal, wood, all the elements about us. You will continually be dissatisfied. - The billionaire, John D.
Rockefeller, was asked one time, ‘How much money does it take to satisfy a man completely?’ He said, ‘Just a little bit more than he has.’ - Spiros Zodhiates
There are many things that money cannot buy. Money can buy: A bed but not sleep. Books but not brains. Food but not an appetite. Finery but not beauty. A house but not a home. Medicine but not health. Pleasures but not peace. Amusements but not joy. A crucifix but not a Saviour. A church building but not heaven. - Paul Lee Tan
“Happiness is not based on money, and the best proof of that is our family.” - Christina Onassis (Greek Shipping Heiress)
Apostle Paul, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, from which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
- Pastor David Goudy
Possessions - Part Two
Following part one on possessions, here are some quotes on the positive side of possessions and money.
Henry Crowell, founder of the Quaker Oats Company, promised God when he started his business that he would honour Him. For over forty years he gave 60% of his income to God’s work.
William Colgate, of the Colgate-Palmolive Company, tithed on the first dollar he made. Over the years he increased that to 20%, then 30%, then 50%, then 60%. Towards the end of his life he became so successful that he gave the whole of his yearly income to the Lord – 100%
J.L. Kraft head of Kraft Cheese, “The only investments I ever made which have paid constant increasing dividends, is the money which I have given to the Lord.”
Sir Fred Catherwood, great British Christian industrialist, said, “Every Christian should try tithing and prove God to see whether God does not bless as the prophet Malachi promised.”
R.T. Kendall “If every Christian would tithe, every congregation would be free of financial cares and could truly make an impact on the world that would change it. The Church instead is paralysed. Tithing Christians could make a big difference.”
John Stott “Tithing our income is a minimum Christian obligation, and that the Church and its mission is bound to suffer when we disobey.”
Billy Graham “The rediscovery about God’s principles about money and tithing could revolutionise the Church.”
Mr. Heinz, of the 57 Variety, was a tither.
Col. Saunders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame became a tither after his conversion.
Duane Hulse “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”
In his book Tortured for Christ Richard Wurmbrand tells of his many years in and out of many communist prisons because of his faith in Christ. He was often tortured, and on some occasions nearly starved to death. But the principle of tithing was so internalised in his heart that when he was given one slice of bread a week and dirty soup each day, he faithfully tithed from it. Every tenth day he gave his soup to a weaker brother, and every tenth week he took his slice of bread and gave it to one of his fellow prisoners in Jesus’ name.
Spurgeon on Giving: “Earn all you can, save all you can, then give all you can. Never try to save out of God’s cause; such money will canker the rest. Giving to God is no loss; it is putting your substance into the best bank. Giving is true having, as the old gravestone said of the dead man, ‘What I spent I had, what I saved I lost, what I gave I have.’”
Do your givin’ while you’re livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin.’
- Pastor David Goudy