The story is told of a little country church where one Sunday morning the preacher is “waxing an elephant” (waxing eloquent), railing away at sin in the community. He speaks for several minutes against alcohol and an old man in the back yells, “Preach it, Brother!” Then he launches out against whoring and running around with loose women, and again the old man hollers out, “Preach it, Brother.” But when the preacher begins to speak against chewing tobacco, the old guy is heard to say, “Aw heck, he’s quit preaching and gone to meddling!” ?.
Some sins are obvious to us, but others are harder to see because they are too embedded in our culture and in our personal lives. We have excused ourselves for them for so long, that it does not even occur to us they might be sins. For over 100 years, the Christians of the antebellum south considered slavery to be morally right. Both black and white preachers justified it from the pulpit to both black and white congregations. They were wrong.
Jesus told the Pharisees that they were long on keeping the Torah but woefully short on loving their neighbor. Moreover, they often saw their lack of love for their neighbor as righteousness. For instance, they claimed that their lack of caring financially for their parents was justified because they gave that money to God when they gave their tithe, a process they called “Corban.” Jesus told them they were wrong.
Mark 7:10-13 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death’; 11 but you say,’ If a man says to his father or his mother, anything of mine you might have been helped by is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ 12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that. ” NASB
Too often we come to see our sins as virtues. A good example is the vitriol and bitterness that has overtaken our public discourse when we speak about people with whom we disagree. Instead of just making our point, we feel that we have to demean or even demonize our opponent. Political commentators on television make a good living publicly excoriating their opponents. They call it “telling it like it is,” but the Bible calls it reviling, and Jesus calls it sin. It is wrong.
Matt 5:21-22 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder ‘ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. NASB
I always find it disheartening when God shows me my hidden sins, especially because they are unintentional and I thought I was doing so well. It never occurs to me that I am offending God by such behaviors until God reveals it to me. Then the problem begins. If I have obvious sin in my life, I am expecting to have to change some day. I know it is wrong and I have to stop it, but I am patient about it for now.
Hidden sin, on the other hand, requires significant changes I have not imagined or planned for. It requires a radical change in my behavior. In other words, I have to find its roots. That takes new focus and dedication to change, and it takes more time and effort.
In my opinion, the largest, most pervasive hidden sin in our American culture is the sin of “consumerism;” i.e., shopping as a regular exercise, purchasing as an addiction, buying things as a hobby or as a means to happiness. But why, you ask, is consumerism a sin? It’s my money! Why can I not spend it any way I see fit? But is it my money, or does it belong to God? Am I the owner of my resources or am I just God’s appointed steward over them?
As Americans, we have an overblown, culture-based, non-biblical notion about our resources and even our very lives. It is my life, we say! Why cannot I do whatever I please with it? However, the Bible tells us we are not our own. We are bought with a price. We belong to God who made us, and as Christians, we belong to Christ who bought us with His blood.
1 Cor 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body. NASB
1 Cor 7:22-24 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise, he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called. NASB
Both Old and New Testaments taught and even the Pharisees agreed that we exist here on this earth to “know, love and serve God with our whole hearts, minds and bodies.” Jesus said, “It is the foremost commandment.”
Matt 22:35-38 And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. NASB
As Christians, we are twice bought. Every New Testament writer called himself a bond-servant of Jesus and Jesus was called a bond-servant of God. A bond-servant is a slave who was bought with a price, usually to pay off a debt. In our case, the debt is our sin and the price is Jesus’ blood. I am not my own and my life does not belong to me. I cannot just do with it as I please.
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” NASB
Luke 2:28-29 Then he (Simeon) took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; …NASB
Rom 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, …NASB
Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. NASB
Phil 2:5-7 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. NASB
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, … NASB
Col 4:7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. NASB
2 Tim 2:24 And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, …NASB
James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. NASB
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: …NASB
Jude 1-2 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. NASB
Rev 1:1-2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. NASB
Rev 15:3 And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. NASB
The Bible also contains a large developed theology concerning money, spending and resource management. People hate it when preachers talk about money, but Jesus talked more about money than almost any other topic. People are open to preachers talking against sexual sin, stealing, murder and many other things, but talking about money (and giving money in particular) is seen as “meddling.”
Good pastors do not talk about giving for their own sake; i.e., because they want our money. They talk about it because they are watchmen responsible to God for our souls. They do not want us to be surprised by God on judgment day because we failed to be proper stewards of His money. We are not going to talk about giving here. We are going to be even more “rude” and talk about spending.
The theology of finances, money and resources begins with the principle of stewardship versus ownership. The first thing we need to see is that we are not owners of anything, including, as we have seen, our very lives. God owns everything and we are His designated stewards. The first commandment God gave mankind was to “be fruitful, multiply and steward the earth.”
Truth is that God intends that we all prosper at some level. Prosperity in one time and/or place is different from prosperity in another time and/or place. Prosperity in Poland is different from prosperity in Alpharetta, GA, a wealthy suburb of Atlanta. Prosperity in 1812 is different than prosperity in 2012. Prosperity is not evil, just dangerous. It is God who gives us the power to make wealth and even the desire to have it. But if it is not properly understood and stewarded, it can destroy us.
Deut 8:18 “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. NASB
Prov 3:9-10 Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. NASB
Ps 112:1-3 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. NASB
The problem is not wealth. The issue is how we use it. Resources are from the Lord, but those resources are given to us for a purpose. THAT is the issue. Why has God blessed us? For what purpose do we prosper? Is it to spend it all on ourselves, or is it given for the sake of others as well.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. NASB
2 Cor 9:7-11 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness abides forever.” 10 Now 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; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. NASB
God intends to provide for us what we need, but not necessarily all that we want. It is often said that the gateway sin to all other sins is coveting; i.e., wanting what others have that you do not. “Thou shall not covet” is the tenth commandment, but often the first impetus that causes us to sin is coveting.
James 4:1-4 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust (covet) and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. NASB
Coveting is often found in the list of “big sins” which are to be avoided and which will keep us from entering the kingdom of God, even the kingdom of God on earth. Coveting is seen as idolatry; i.e., loving something more than God. It is a violation of the First Great Commandment.
Eph 5:5-6 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. NASB
1 Cor 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. NASB
The biblical virtue that is the opposite of coveting is contentment. We are called to be contented with what God gives us in good times and in bad times.
1 Tim 6:6-10 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. NASB
Phil 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NASB
The world does not want us to be content. It wants to sell us goods and services, even goods and services we do not need, so it encourages covetousness in us. The marketing techniques of the world system are one large Jedi mind trick. “You need a new car!,” says the shapely blond on TV. “I need a new car!,” we respond. “You can’t be happy without a weed buster!,” say the ad man. “I have GOT to have a weed buster!,” we respond, “so I better buy a house with a yard IMMEDIATELY!!!”
We are encouraged to covet, to want to have everything and to be like others. We are lured by the greed in our hearts and the fact that “it is on sale.” I know people who hearing that they can get a beating at half price will rush out and buy two ?.
Perhaps the clearest biblical passage on this subject can be found in the third chapter of Isaiah. The Lord starts out by telling the people of Judah why they are going to be hauled off into captivity in the most egregious manner. The people have given themselves over to the sin of consumerism. Rather than care for the orphan, the widow and the poor, they have given themselves to excessive buying of things they want but do not really need.
Isa 3:1-5 For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is going to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water; 2 the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the honorable man, the counselor and the expert artisan, and the skillful enchanter. 4 And I will make mere lads their princes and capricious children will rule over them. 5 And the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor. The youth will storm against the elder, and the inferior against the honorable. NASB
Gods tells them that He is going to bring their society to ruin! He will take away their provision. He will remove their skilled warriors. He will take away their wise judges and their insightful prophetic men and women. Honorable men will no longer be found in leadership, expert craftsman will no longer be found in business and trade, and their musicians and poets will no longer be skilled at lifting their spirits.
Inexperienced men (lads) will be their rulers and “capricious children will rule over them.” Oppression, dishonor and conflict will grow rampant in their national life.
Isa 3:6-9 When a man lays hold of his brother in his father’s house, saying, “You have a cloak, you shall be our ruler, and these ruins will be under your charge,” 7 On that day will he protest, saying, “I will not be your healer, for in my house there is neither bread nor cloak. You should not appoint me ruler of the people.” For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their actions are against the LORD, to rebel against His glorious presence. 9 The expression of their faces bears witness against them and they display their sin like Sodom. They do not even conceal it. Woe to them for they have brought evil on themselves.
No good man or woman will want to govern this people. The society has become too self-centered to manage even by the wisest of men and women. God’s people, (whether it be Judah then or America today), have fallen and no longer bother to hide their sin. They boldly violate God’s commandments.
Isa 3:10 Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions. 11 Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, for what he deserves will be done to him. 12 O My people! Their oppressors are children, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray, and confuse the direction of your paths. NASB
Those who are rightly related to God and to their neighbor will survive (even in captivity), but into captivity they will go with the rest of the nation. Those who have abandoned God and failed to care for their neighbor will get what they deserve; to include inexperienced leadership and female domination (a real slap in this patriarchal world).
Isa 3:13-15 The LORD arises to contend, and stands to judge the people. 14 The LORD enters into judgment with the elders and princes of His people, “It is you who have devoured the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses. 15 “What do you mean by crushing My people, and grinding the face of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of hosts. NASB
God now arises like a prosecutor in court and brings the official charge against Judah. The leaders of the society have “devoured the vineyard.” They have consumed the people’s inheritance. They were entrusted with wealth and prosperity (taxes or the control of the public purse) to insure the well-being of all the people, but instead consumed it all upon themselves.
That which was given by God to care for the poor has been plundered and can be found stored in the rich man’s house. The rich man has excess goods while the orphans, the widows and the poor go hungry. The rich have second homes while many have no shelter over their head.
Having a second home is not necessarily wrong, but we better be actively working to also shelter the poor. If we bought the second home with money God designated to shelter the homeless (only you and God will know), we probably are in trouble with God. By their mismanagement of God’s provision, says God, the people of Judah are “crushing the poor, grinding their faces into the ground!” So now it will be their turn to suffer. God will haul them off as slaves into captivity where they themselves will become the orphan, the widow and the poor. OUCH!!
Isa 3:16-17 Moreover, the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud, and walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps, and tinkle the bangles on their feet, 17 therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare. ” NASB
Rarely does God chastise the women in the bible because they have so little power and authority. But women in every age have influence and are required by God to exercise it for the good of the society. Historically, it is the women who lead the society to care for the sick, feed the poor, educate the children and leverage the culture for decency.
But the daughters of Zion here are not influencing the society for good. They are, instead, leading the society away from righteousness by their attitudes and behaviors. They are caught up in the culture of seduction and hedonism as evidenced by their commitment to consumerism. This next little section inspired me in my book Isaiah: A Prophet For Our Times to refer to Isaiah 3 as the “Dillards’ chapter” because it sounds like someone has just bought out the women’s accessories department at Dillards.
Isa 3:18-23 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, 19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, 20 headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, 21 finger rings, nose rings, 22 festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses, 23 hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans, and veils.
The prophet paints a picture of conspicuous consumption; e.g., Imelda Marcos with more than just shoes. He accuses the women of consuming excessively upon themselves rather than caring for their neighbor. Then God speaks judgment and outlines the consequences.
Isa 3:24-26 Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. 25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your mighty ones in battle. 26 And her gates will lament and mourn; and deserted she will sit on the ground. NASB
This is a picture of exile, and it is ugly! The men have been slain in war. The women are all gathered up, stripped of their finery, shaven and branded, clothed in sackcloth, roped together and marched into captivity. The ones who survive the death march will live as slaves. The party spirit has been replaced by the lamenting and mourning of the women sitting in the dirt each night on the march.
Is God against wealth? Is He opposed to us having nice things? Is he opposed to nice houses, second houses, nice cars, multiple cars, nice clothes and retirement plans? No, He is not. He gladly gives us those things when our hearts are rightly related to both God and to our neighbor. But God is opposed to consumerism; i.e., the spending (consuming) of resources upon ourselves as a lifestyle with little or no concern for others.
Let’s take a look at another well-off woman that gets God’s highest marks. (Let’s also remember that these principles are also true for men.)
Prov 31:10-19 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She looks for wool and flax, and works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it. From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
Here is a highly-recommended woman who presides over a wealthy home. She is hard working and industrious. She provides for her household the best of things. She operates in significant authority even in her patriarchal society. She buys a field and purchases goods necessary for the well-being of her prosperous family.
Prov 31:20-26 She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for herself. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
This lady cares for the poor and the needy, not just herself and her family. Her family eats well and is well dressed, but not at the expense of the basic needs of others. She is industrious and contributes to the family income. She is not afraid nor does she worry about what the future holds. She speaks wisely and teaches others around her to be kind.
Prov 31:27-31 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. NASB
This lady is praised by all who know her, especially her family. Her beauty is not just physical, but is reflected in her deeds, her reputation and her very being. She fears (deeply respects) the Lord and He praises her also. Let her have the “products of her hands.” Let her enjoy what God had given her, because she knows how to care for others as well as to prosper.
We who live in America are blessed materially at many levels and have been given a life of freedom, opportunity and prosperity. Yet there are many among us who have not been able to share in all of that. God wants to reach out to those people and show them His love, but God always uses His people to reach other people. We are God’s hands and feet in the earth, His ambassadors of good will to men.
Obviously, there are many who have made themselves poor by unwise behaviors. God can and does deal with people at times by allowing them to suffer the consequences of their bad behaviors. But that is God’s role, not ours. For every person out there being “disciplined,” there are many more who are being “dumped on” by the ravages of our economy and the vagaries of life through no fault of their own. “There but for the grace of God, go I.” We are not called to bring everyone up to middle class standards (in spite of what some politicians say), but we are called to make sure people do not starve or die of exposure in our midst.
A wise man I know once said that we in America are being challenged by God to figure out what to do with our money. We have been given much, and some of us have been given very much, but for what purpose? Is it to spend it all upon ourselves or are we called to use some significant portion of our resources for God’s ministry to the world around us.
God had no special funds, no physical bank in which to store the resources that He plans to give to the poor. Everything God has for ministry is stored in the bank accounts of His people. For me to use God’s money stored in my bank account is misprision of funds, a felony related to embezzlement, fraud and theft.
Consumerism as a national pastime assumes that all that we have belongs to us and can be used to purchase luxuries while others fail to get basic needs met. That is contrary to what the Bible teaches us.
When we underfund our churches by failing to tithe, we are robbing God and the people
that are usually cared for by the church, the storehouse for our tithes. When we do so because we want more to spend upon ourselves, we are guilty of the sin of consumerism.
Mal 3:7-12 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes, and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts. 12 “And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts. NASB
Beware false teachers who “tickle your ears” by telling you that tithing is an Old Testament commandment of the Law that is no longer binding upon us. The command to honor the Lord with our first fruits preceded both the Law and the Fall. Jesus told the Pharisees that they should, as a minimum, tithe, but not neglect the weightier matters of providing for our neighbor. Jesus saw tithing as a starting point for stewarding our resources, not the upper limit of it.
2 Tim 4:3-4For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. NASB
Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. NASB
Paul teaches the Corinthians that the righteous man regularly and habitually gives to the poor, and he does it voluntarily and cheerfully. Why? The righteous man knows that such behavior pleases God. In addition to his own teaching, Paul is quoting Ps 112.
2 Cor 9:7-11 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness abides forever.” 10 Now 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; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. NASB
In Ps 112, David gives us a definition of what a righteous man looks like and how he behaves. Among his strong characteristics is his generosity to others, and because of it, the righteous man does not live in fear of the darkness nor of evil tidings.
Ps 112 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth. The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. 7 He will not fear evil tidings. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear, until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. 9 He has given freely to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted in honor. NASB
It has been suggested that if Americans quit buying goods and services, the economy would collapse. Once again, the sin of consumerism is being portrayed as a virtue. It keeps others in jobs if I buy a fifth flat screen TV for my bathroom or my dog’s house. I am not recommending that we stop buying. In fact, I think we should spend more money, but spend it on others rather than on ourselves.
We live in a land where it has become increasingly difficult to know what to give our friends and family for Christmas or birthdays, because they already have everything they want and more than they need. Many have discovered the joy and fulfillment of other-centered holiday celebrations like feeding the homeless a holiday meal and “gifts in lieu of” to the needy. It is an exercise we need to do more than holidays. Given the magnitude of the need in our society right now we need not fear economic collapse because we eschew consumerism.
No one, except God, can tell us how to spend our money, because it belongs only to Him. I cannot possibly know what you should or should not buy. I am not suggesting that I do. Some day we will stand before God and He will sort us out into two groups, those who are accepted into His eternal presence and those who are not. According to Jesus, part of the criterion is based on whether or not we housed, clothed, fed or nurtured “the least of these my brethren.”
There is a causal relationship between caring for our neighbor and our own salvation. Simply put, if we do not care for our neighbor, we cannot have a saving relationship with Jesus. He will tell us that He never knew us.
Matt 7:19-23 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ NASB
Matt 25:41-46 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they themselves also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
1 John 3:17-20 But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him. NASB
James 1:27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. NASB