There have been enormous misunderstandings of the Christian view of money since the days that Jesus walked the hills of Galilee. Based on the story of the rich young ruler, some have thought wealth was sinful. This was not the case, the ruler was sinful in the priority he placed on his wealth. Jesus went right to the heart of his problem and told him to divest himself of his first love his assets. This he refused to do.
Let's consider some other Scriptures. Jesus worked as a carpenter until his ministry began. He made money. He called money-making men to leave their fishing business and follow him. He told parables about investing money to make more.
Jesus taught about a man from Samaria who had enough money to help a Jew in need. This Good Samaritan became a model because he was able and willing to fund a needy man. One of the tests on Judgment Day is whether we have feed the poor. This cannot be done by those who have taken a vow of poverty.
Listen to Paul:
. . . if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously . . . .These words were written to men and women who had earned and saved. They had money on hand. They could dig down beyond their planned giving and meet the needs of the needy among them.
Paul even suggests that Christians become earners instead of takers for the express purpose of giving to others:
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.Earning and saving are right. Our checkbooks are not a symbol of sin, but a symbol of our lives. They are morally neutral. How we use and misuse them is a major subject in God's Word.
PRAYER: Help us to use what we have with godly wisdom.