Personally, I feel more grounded today than I ever have in biblical perspective about money. I have found myself learning to pray that God would give eyes to see/steward/use our money with the gospel of Jesus as my motivation. I have always known there was a "right" way to handle money as a believer. But as with most things that are the "right" thing to do, obedience seems to be short-lived for me. I've VERY SLOWLY realized how poor my motivations were and why I could never seem to "get it right" with my obedience financially.
So here are two chunks of Scripture that have been ministering to me, leading me to repentance and by the grace of Christ transforming me towards obedience in the stewardship of our finances. I think they speak for themselves, so I won't go into lengthy explanation.
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you; so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
~ 2 Corinthians 8:9
As we better understand our spiritual "poverty," the bountiful "riches" of our Savior Jesus becomes more and more clear. I am praying that this, and nothing else, motivates our stewardship and our giving. We are growing in our trust in God, who is the one that "provides seed to the sower." Open our eyes Lord, to see how your grace abounds around us.
