UNFADING WEALTH | KAIROS GLOBAL | FEBRUARY 2021

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Just as everything else in life, our finances too are a God-given gift, asserts Anil Israel, who takes us through the Word of God on finances and its management.

What do you have that you did not receive? (1Corinthians 4:7) Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Whatever we think as ours is indeed a blessing bestowed on us as a gift from above. Our life, our health, our parents, our siblings, our spouse, our children, our friends, our education, our job, the place we call our home, our material and spiritual blessings, yes even our finances – are all God-given gifts. We might be tricked in believing that it is all my hard-earned money – the fruit of my labour. Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich (Deuteronomy 8:18). Our strength, our intelligence, our achievements, our innovation, our creativity, our touch of perfection – everything is a God-given gift. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Whatever is entrusted to us, is not merely meant to be used exclusively for our selfish purposes. It has been given to us so that we can put it to good use for the benefit of others as well. St. Basil the Great reminds us, ‘The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry man; the coat hanging unused in your closet belongs to the man who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the man who has none; the money which you hoard in the bank belongs to the poor. You do wrong to everyone you could help, but fail to help.’ Even the Holy Gospel proclaims: He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise (Luke 3:11). 

This is a strong reminder that we are called to be Good Samaritans to the neighbour in need. Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given (Luke 12:48). For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them (Mark 14:7). Our wealth is meant to be shared with those who have none. The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) further advices us against storing up riches for ourselves in this world. Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15). Besides, covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5)

Indulging in reckless living, lavish spending on credit, in the pursuit of satisfying one’s selfishness at all cost, could easily lead one to the world of debt. The borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). If we don’t waste, we will not be in want. Embracing a lifestyle of debt-free living enables us to be free of financial worries. The virtues of prudence and self-control prompt us to exercise financial disciple in dealing with our monetary blessings. Being aware of one’s income and expense levels equips one to enjoy financial freedom by ensuring that our liabilities (what we owe) do not surpass our assets (what we own).  

The ant has a powerful lesson to teach us. It stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:8). It is said, failing to plan, is planning to fail. Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough (Proverbs 21:5). An attitude of setting apart a little bit in terms of saving is a sign of being conscious in money-matters. Saving can be looked upon as asset-creation, which can come handy in emergency situations. I thank God for being blessed with the opportunity to learn the importance of saving from my father. In the initial years of earning when one has few liabilities, one can truly benefit from developing such a useful habit. Responsible parenting encourages one to consider saving small amounts for each child from an early age itself. 

When it comes to decisions involving huge investments which are not so frequent, one needs to carefully consider one’s paying or repaying capacity and distinguish between needs and wants. Needs are life-seeking expressions, which in other words are essential and must be met. A want is usually a non-essential desire which we could even do without. 

You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). You are the slaves of the one whom you obey. (Romans 6:16). Our lives are either ruled by God or by whatever that takes the place of God in our life. We are either God-dependent or self-dependent. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you’ (Hebrews 13:5). Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD (Jeremiah 17:7). He shall never be disappointed. There are innumerable instances in the Holy Bible, where we can see Divine Providence at work. Personally, we have experienced how God arranged providentially to pay the initial installments when we wanted to invest in a house. Likewise, God made it possible for us to repay our housing loan within few months in ways beyond our imagination. Every time we were prompted to support someone in need, we have been surprised by his showers of blessings. It was God’s loving care that prompted someone to leave behind an envelope with cash for us either in our post-box or tucked up beneath the windscreen wiper of our car.

If riches are a desirable possession in life, what is richer than wisdom who effects all things? (Wisdom 8:5) Earthly riches will decay and fade. But heavenly riches are an ‘unfailing wealth’ (Wisdom 8:18). God’ treasury is ‘uncounted wealth’ (Wisdom 7:11). Divine blessings are an ‘unfailing treasure’ (Wisdom 7:14). My learning lesson in life: God desires we rely on him always. It pleases him that we trustfully abandon our daily cares to him. For, my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). God’s provisions are truly an unfading wealth that never runs dry.

Anil Israel lives in Mannheim, Germany, with his wife Sunitha and their 5 children. He is the current National Formation Coordinator of JY Germany.

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