The economic downturn and the now-cliché recession has pushed people out of work and families out of homes. Those still managing to hang on have tightened their purse strings—preparing themselves for the fabled fall-out. But is that how God wants us to live? After all, Proverbs 11:28a says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall!”
So, with the plague of financial uncertainty, what are we supposed to do with our money?
Jesus says in Luke 16:9, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
Jesus doesn’t say: “Use your worldly wealth unless there is a recession and, in that case, keep it for yourselves.”
He wants us to use our “worldly wealth” to “gain friends” regardless of our outside circumstances or economic condition.
In the King James Version, “worldly wealth” is called “unrighteous mammon.” It is literally money or wealth that is not unrighteous in its own right, but becomes unrighteous because people treat it as their own, when they are really only stewards.
Jesus calls us to use what He entrusts to care for the needs of others—to “gain friends.” By meeting those needs, those you help see Christ through you—through your love, compassion, and mercy. “Gaining friends” simply means to win people for Christ.
This concept is also seen in Jesus’ parable of the talents (Luke 19:11-27). A king gave his servants 10 minas and said, “Put my money to work until I come back” (Luke 19:13). The first servant invested the minas and earned 10 more. The second servant also invested the minas and earned five more. But the last servant was afraid to lose the minas so he buried them in the ground and did not earn anything. When the king came back, he was furious and took the minas away saying, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away” (Luke 19:26).
Therefore, whatever God entrusts you with, He expects you to invest it wisely in eternal things—not bury it in the ground. Otherwise, like the king did to the servant, He will take it away.
how to invest
1. realize it’s God’s paycheck, not yours
Remember “for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36)—that includes your paycheck, your tax returns, your year-end bonus, and your raise. Every cent flowing in and out of your bank account is from Him and therefore ultimately is His. He is simply entrusting you with it to glorify Him.
2. pay God first
Tithing has been encouraged for centuries throughout churches. Literally meaning “one-tenth,” God challenges us to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” (Malachi 3:10a). However, many of us only write the tithing check after the bills have been paid, groceries bought, and gas tank filled. Throughout the Bible, God wanted the first tithe of the harvest, the first tithe of the herd. By giving God your first 10 percent, you are truly trusting in Him to provide for your needs…and He will.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33).
3. find a need, fill a need
Being called to care for the needs of others is one thing. Choosing where to give your money is quite another. To simplify the search, remember that the church (not the building but the group of believers) is a representation of Christ on Earth. It should hold all the characteristics of Christ (see the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22). When one member or part of the church is weak, it is the responsibility of the other members to lift him/her up. Therefore, your first priority should be toward the church (other believers).
This should not be your only priority, however, as God also calls us to provide and protect the poor, orphans, and widows (Zechariah 7:10).
4. be prepared for serious ROI (return on investment)
God promises big rewards for your investments in others. As mentioned in Malachi, God says that when you invest, He will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10b). Considering that God is the Creator of the universe and has the power to make and do whatever pleases Him, this is a powerful promise.
Also, in the story of the talents, the king says to the investing servant, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with small things; I will put you in charge of greater things” (Luke 19:17). God promises that if He can trust you with small responsibilities, He will give you bigger responsibilities.
Lastly, investing in others is a way to “store your treasures in Heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Treasures in Heaven can never be destroyed or stolen and ultimately pleases God.
will you take the risk?
Investing money in others might scare you and conjure up questions of doubt:
Am I really enabling their financial problems?
What if they aren’t thankful?
Will I have enough to live on if I give so much away?
But remember what God commands in Luke 16:9 and that He wants to use you—and the money He entrusts—to fulfill His purpose. Will you stand in His way?
