Money and The Kingdom: To Save for the Day of Redemption

Disclaimer: The financial teaching below is what I believe to be true and accurate, biblically speaking. It should not be read like a "how to be a millionaire". It's also not whatcha call prosperity gospel, that stuff isn't really gospel to my way of thinking. The real reason for this disclaimer is, as of 2022, 1. I am not a millionaire, and 2. I am not able to give as much to the Kingdom as I want to. So, what follows is not so much a way I am teaching you to live as it is a way that I intend to live. I will lay this out fairly methodically and thoughtfully for my benefit and will do so publicly for your benefit. (Hopefully! :D) Check back in 2042 and we shall see how this went. :)

Here we are, to finally account for the last 40% of God's money from His money maker for you. (Say that 3 times fast.) What is it for? Simply to spend on all those things that do not fit within the monthly. These "things" fit into 3 categories. Here they are:

1. Reserves. There is a benefit to having cash on hand. You never know when the air conditioner might go catawampus. Also, unfortunately, a large percentage of the population drives GM products, if that's you, start a fund for a new: engine, transmission, wiring harness, and maybe even a Ford logo. (I kid, I kid.) Well, you get the point, reserves serve as a big beautiful border wall between you and Mexi....er debt. That's right, reserves can protect you from debt. When there is an emergency, it's hard to shop for a good interest rate. With reserves, you don't have to think about such things, just fix the AC! 

2. Investments. There are places to spend money that will generally increase in value. Property, precious metals, stocks, business ventures, etc. All these things carry their own level of risk when it goes wrong and rewards when it goes right. 

3. Living Costs. These are things that really don't increase in value. For example, new vehicles, big boy toys, and ultimately, anything that doesn't fit in the monthly 40%

So, all that is pretty straightforward, I doubt I said anything you didn't already know. I want to make this point. If it is actually God's money, then I would say that every time a decision is made on which of the 3 directions to go, there should be a long and earnest conversation with God and if applicable, your spouse. I don't want to tell you how to divvy this out. I just want to impress on you that it's God's and He should have first dibs on the decision.

So wrapping this up then.  20% is given away. 40% is spent every month. 40% is saved in our scenario. This equals 100% of the resources God has blessed you with. However, this is not the point. The point is this: 

1. Identify that the funds we earn are actually given by God to meet our needs. 

2. See that our work is ultimately a for-profit ministry. No less important than a non-profit ministry. 

3. Take this ministry very seriously, and intentionally acknowledge the 3 basic ways to make money "go away." 

4. Ask God to inform or guide you on how much goes towards each of the 3 directions and plan your financial roadmap accordingly. For you that might be 10 90 10. Or 50 20 30. You get the idea. I don't expect this to be the same for everyone. 

Recommended Reading (Also available on audible.)

A Letter From a Brother (Chapter 1: Reunion Through Martyrdom)

 For nearly 30 years his older brother was just an older brother to him. He was always kind, a good example, and a good person to work with. A good Jew. However, other than the fact that he was always kind and never did anything wrong, he was simply an older brother. 

 When his older brother turned 30, the world changed. His older brother went to see John the Baptist and got baptized. Then, he disappeared, for over a month. He came home, dirty, worn out, and starving. That's not all, something changed, and he stopped being the normal safe person. He began to preach, and caused trouble, he collected a motley crew of rough men and called them his disciples. He insulted the religious leaders. Eventually, this caught up with him, and he was crucified. So went the perspective of Jesus' little brother, James, a devout and holy Jew. 

 Until one day...after Jesus had been crucified, he appeared to James. (1 Corinthians 15:7) Then James understood. This wasn't just the older brother him, this was The Him, Messiah, Lord. The older brother of anyone who believes. James understood on that day and James believed.   

 James went on to become James the Just. A devoted Jew who also believed in the Messiah. He became a strong leader in the church in Jerusalem. Why "the Just"? Probably because he was noted for his own personal holiness and fairness in his dealings with others. He remained Jewish and kept most if not all of those Jewish customs that did not interfere with a belief in Christ as the ultimate Saviour for all sin. 

James followed the customs and held the hearts of the Jewish people in Jerusalem. As a result, he was able to lead many to Christ. James was a tremendous prayer warrior and spent hours on his knees, talking to his Brother.

 There was a controversy. Apostles were teaching gentiles about Jesus. So, the question was, how Jewish should the gentiles be? Well...there were the apostles who believed in the saving power of Christ that transcends the law, the most outspoken of them would have been Paul, Barnabas, and Peter. Yet, there were also all the good pious Jews of Jerusalem. Many of them said, no, circumcision and the law of Moses must be followed. The most pious Jew of all sat there and listened as the talks went on and on and on. Finally, after everyone who wished to had a chance to speak. James stood, and all eyes turned toward him. What would he say? He said, "We should not make it difficult for the gentiles who are turning to God." We should just write them to avoid eating meat offered to idols, avoid sexual immorality, avoid meat from strangled animals, and avoid drinking blood." This was settled on, all agreed and it seemed good to the Holy Spirit as well. (Acts 15:1-35) 

 Eventually, like it has done for nearly all mankind, death found James. Here is how it happened: The Pharisees were really wishing to shut the "Jesus thing" down in Jerusalem. So, who was a respected Jewish leader that had the hearts of a vast multitude of Jews? Why James of course. So, they led him to the pinnacle of the temple and asked him to persuade the multitude to not be led astray by Jesus. (The multitudes were there for Passover.) James responded, "Why do you ask me about Jesus the son of man? Why right now he is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty, and He is about to come down out of the clouds again!" The people went wild, James had their attention, and they began chanting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Unfortunately, the Pharisees were unhappy, and yelled, "Oh no, the just man is also in error!" They charged up the pinnacle and threw James down! The fall didn't finish him, so, he simply began to pray, "Lord, I entreat you to forgive them for they don't know what they are doing..." That's when the rocks and clubbing started, and that was the end, but only in this life. Throughout his life, he had prayed so much in a posture of kneeling that his knees were the same hardness and texture as a camel's! It seems so fitting that it was in that posture that he finally got to be reunited with his Brother again. (Source material from Hegesippus)

 So, what can be learned from James? I think he grasped a concept that so many of us are still groping for. There is a tendency among us to believe in either legalism (I will do the right things in obedience to God and pressure you to do the same.) or, libertinism. (We are saved by grace, there is no need to do anything, all our works are filthy rags.) Yet James believed in personal holiness without unhealthy concern for how others lived their life. The concern he felt would have been based on love. So, we sit at the start of my next blogging project. I want to study and unpack the epistle of James, and you can watch over my shoulder if you want... 

James 1:1-4

James 1:5-8

James 1:9-11