Six steps to using money God’s way

Part 2: Learn how to focus on what you've got, not what you haven't.

Where is your focus?

In yesterday's post, we began looking at 1 Timothy 6, and saw these three things:

We need to find contentment with what we have
We need to stop loving money
We need to flee from any love we have for money.

Now we will continue looking at 1 Timothy, and see what else the Bible says about our attitude to money.

4. Focus on eternal life

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses"

(1 Timothy 6:12)

Someone once said that this life is a bus stop. You don’t settle down at a bus stop, you’re only there until you reach your final destination. We are citizens of heaven, our homes are there. We are only in this world temporarily, so why invest in it? Take hold of your eternal life in a real way, allowing it to affect every part of your life here, including the way you use money. Invest your money in your permanent home, in things of eternal significance.

5. Don't hope in wealth, hope in God

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment"

(1 Timothy 6:17)

Money is fragile. Money is not secure (remember the Global Financial Crisis?). Money is subject to inflation, interest rates, exchange rates etc. Money only provides material possessions which never last. God is solid. God is secure. God is faithful and never changes. God provides everything for our enjoyment and he provides eternal life, things that will last. It just makes sense to not trust in wealth but to trust in God.

6. Be generous and willing to share

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life"

(1 Timothy 6:18-19).

At the end of the day, the money you have is not yours. God is the boss of all things, including your bank account. How does God want you to use His money? Be generous. Be willing to share it. This doesn’t mean don’t save – we need to make sure that we are always in a position to give. It does mean we need to be prepared to part with our money to support gospel work, to look after others and to share the blessings that God has given us.

Take a moment, and be honest with yourself.

When it comes to God’s money, how are you going?