Financial Faith: By faith…
Posted by Gabe Graumann on October 6, 2007
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Heb. 11:1
Faith. A simple word of only five letters. So simple that many people fail to understand how much power is packed into this one word when it is applied to our life. Chapter 11 of Hebrews shows the power of faith when put into action stating that, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made by things which are visible” (vs. 2). By faith we obtain salvation. By faith we walk in healing. By faith we live each day in pursuit of a Savior we do not physically see. It is all done by faith. If then we are committed to living a life by faith in so many other areas of our life, why is it difficult for us to include financial faith into the equation?
When people start talking about faith for financial prosperity there is almost immediately one of two responses that rise up on the inside: criticalness or excitement. On one hand you have people who have bought into a theology that speaks against financial prosperity for Christ followers. It may be that these people have watched one too many Christian television networks or heard of one too many Christian personalities who have publicly failed in their financial management and thus thrown a poor witness to the on-looking world about who we are. In an attempt to distance themselves from such a poor witness of The Faith they deny any spiritual connection between being truly financially prosperous and being holy. So to these people, holiness equals poverty (or distance from wealthy). Anything that includes the word “prosperity” becomes like an evil omen of doom, something to be avoided at all cost. Let’s get this one straightened out right from the jump, shall we!
Nowhere in the Bible is there a correlation made that holiness equals poverty or vice versa. Nowhere! Anyone who wants try to contradict this point can be my guest. You won’t find it (but you will end up learning a lot more about the Bible, hence the invitation to try…enjoy!). This is because every time poverty is illustrated in the Bible it correlates with a curse, problem and/or situation to get free from. The incorrect conclusion that many people draw is based on inaccurate interpretation of scripture. One verse is pulled out of context and used to make a point. In the process the scripture is twisted and people formulate a warped view of financial doctrine. A verse that gets used in this way frequently is 2 Corinthians 8:9 which says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” I’ve heard this scripture twisted into the argument that “Christ had to become poor because it was the way to becoming the most righteous, and if He had to so should we.” Hello, did you miss the rest of the verse? Let me share the correct interpretation for you in a way that should rock your financial and spiritual world!
When Christ went to the cross on our behalf it made a way for salvation first and foremost. Secondly, the cross was the physically demonstration of Christ taking all authority and power away from the devil and placing that authority in its rightful place: Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered what power and authority Christ took from the devil seeing how God is all powerful, all loving, and created every living thing in the first place? The power and authority discussed here is referenced in John 10:10 stating, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come to that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” When Adam and Eve sinned and diluted the perfect plan God had established for them in the garden, the devil took the power that MAN gave him and started taking parts of God’s promises away from us without so much of as a fight from us. Did you even catch what I just said?!
God’s plan in the Garden of Eden was a one of complete relationship with Him, complete protection by Him, complete power and authority through Him, and complete PROVISION because of Him!!! (I’m bouncing in my seat as I write this…I have to preach somehow!) God’s first plan was complete provision for every need that we would ever face but because of our deception and belief in the devils lies we traded in God’s perfect plan for a flawed one. Christ regained the power and authority we gave up and presented it to us again. However, instead of sticking everyone back in a garden with provision all around us, He requires that we stand on His Word and decide to act on the authority and promises He has made to us. Breathe…..take that all in.
We were created to mirror God Himself who is rich in all things and in all ways. Later I will discuss what mirroring Christ looks like financially, but you should get picture that Christ paid a high price to secure all the promises found in His Word. It’s time we all start living like it and get on to accomplishing the plan He has for His people while on earth. The only thing stopping us from living a faith filled life that includes His complete provision is our decision to walk out what He has already done. Our choice to trust His Word and be faithful to His principles is the only limiting factor in play.
Money Talk With Gabe 
Eddie Fearon said
‘Complete provision for every need’ is not the same as ‘financial prosperity’ which includes having enough to meet our needs but goes beyond this in implying a surplus beyond what we need. To be “financially prosperous” is to have more than we need. Furthermore, “need” being a word we should use with caution in the West, given our comparatively affluent lives. The question of whether we need to be able to pay our mortgages, for instance, must also be asked alongside the questions of whether we need to live in this house in this neighborhood? Do we need to live without debt? Is this really a “need” when we are managing to eat, stay clothed, and enjoy shelter? These latter three are basic needs which are not being met in many parts of the world, and it seems much more in keeping with Jesus’ teaching to focus not upon our own supposed “needs” but to seek to assist the genuinely poor with their true needs.
I am not suggesting a return to the ‘righteous poor mentality’, but to a lived concern for other peoples genuine NEEDS rather than our own wants and dreams.
Gabe Graumann said
You are correct that basic provision for needs is different from financial prosperity, and it is also relative to where in the world you abide and work and worship. For instance, in many third-world nations you’d be considered very financially prosperous if you owned a vehicle to drive or if you had twice the average SF’s of farmland to work with. In nations such as America, Canada, or many European countries, financial prosperity often is gauged by the “surplus” that you mentioned. It isn’t the numerical amount that defines prosperity, but the portion in comparison to your needs.
“Needs”, as you defined them, would be limited to items that are only needed for survival. You could also use the word “necessities” to illustrate the point that depending on your geography in the world will greatly determine what your necessities are. For instance, a nomad living in the Sarah Desert has little need for heat, but has a great need for water, while a family living on a river in Siberia has less of a need for water, but a great need for heat. Is the person in Siberia praying for heat just as important to God as the nomad praying for water in the desert? Are the necessities of a family living in a country of great abundance and opportunity any less important to God than a family living in a desolate and war-torn land?
According to scripture they are one in the same regardless of their geographical position or the implied “needs” they desired met. “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Ph. 4:18-19, NIV). In this passage Paul writes that he received more than he needs required, and that the gift was pleasing to the Lord. It goes on to say that the Lord will supply ALL of our needs. The scriptures show us time and time again that God is looking at the heart of the giver and the receiver and weighs the motives of each, and based on the heart and motives He sees comes the reward.
Finally, the issue of focusing on the needs of others over our own is constant message throughout scripture. All true Christ followers should be looking for ways each day to help those less fortunate than ourselves. God even says that we are to be “give generously” to those in need (Deut. 15:7-11, NIV). So if God’s people are blessed in numerous ways including financially, doesn’t it stand to reason that we are in a better position to be the type of generous giver that God expects us to be? And if God expects us to be generous givers to those in need doesn’t it line up with His Word to be blessed with all of our needs met and living in a position to be a blessing to those in need all around us?
I’ll leave the discussion with this point to think on. Christ looks at the heart of all individuals to determine who He can trust with spiritual and physical gifts alike, and because of this, He is the best judge to determine into whose lives a surplus of financial blessing will best be utilized for His eternal good. That being the case, I’ll continue to live in such a way that He would count me trustworthy of that blessing, and to equip me with the wisdom in how to give generously each day.
Eddie Fearon said
Thanks for the interaction Gabe.
One problem is that our estimations of “prosperity”, “needs”, and “poverty” all vary depending upon many factors which shape our perspective, including our country, local community, and social networks. All of these interact to set the bar at different levels for different people. Sometimes we simply use these terms in superficial ways.
However, I still feel we can come to workable definitions for each of these concepts by defining them in relation to the necessities of life or basic human needs. To be living in “poverty” is to lack or struggle daily to meet ones basic needs (Food, water, clothing, shelter). “Basic needs” are those things that are required for healthy living in one’s particular environment and correspond to our shared biological and physiological makeup. Thus, what is required to survive in good health differs depending upon ones context, a good example being that while one needs heating in Siberia due to its cold climate it is not required in a desert because it is naturally hot (at least during the day). Whereas in the desert water is a more pressing need because of the effect of the heat on ones body. However, whether in Siberia or a desert the body still requires both water and a certain body temperature. Ones biological/physiological makeup provides the “anchor-point” for determining what counts as “basic needs” in different environments.
“Are the necessities of a family living in a country of great abundance and opportunity any less important to God than a family living in a desolate and war-torn land?”
It depends on what these “necessities” are. If we work these necessities out in reference to our biological/physiological makeup and the particular obstacles found in our country to meeting these, then yes. But I do not think that our fitting into a culture of abundance is important for GOD right now in view of the great poverty throughout the world (even within our own cities). I certainly do not believe GOD promises to help us fit in by granting us financial abundance.
As for “prosperity”, I think we should take a global perspective. In comparison to those who do not have access to clean water, who sleep on the streets, who are dying from disease without medical aid, who have lost their homes and possessions in wars and natural disasters, who cannot supply food to their families because of famine, we who enjoy all these things are prosperous.
It is my contention that we live in a “global village” with an awareness of the suffering taking place throughout the world. There are many avenues through which we can channel our “surplus” resources to meet the needs of those living and dying in absolute poverty. We may need to divorce ourselves from the cultural estimations of prosperity and poverty and take a more ‘black and white’ view for the sake of the truly poor.
Does being financially prosperous put us “in a better position to be the type of generous giver that God expects us to be?” Obviously it does. But this does not mean that this is GOD’s plan of action. In seeing the trap that wealth lays for us, Pauls warns Timothy of the dangers of seeking wealth: “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6.9-10: NRSV)
It is not that they already “love money”, but that in seeking it for whatever reason they are enslaved by it and then become lovers of it. And while I’m not sure that you encourage us to seek out riches, this passage is enough to caution us about believing GOD wants to grant us riches for “His eternal good”.
Gabe Graumann said
Thanks for the continued dialogue. I will be answering your comment in the form of a new posted (posted on 2/25/09) titled “Financial Faith: Do I Really Need This?” I hope you will read this and keep the dialogue going if you so desire.
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