Why do I feel guilty for being blessed?

Expensive Chuck,

Is it improper to get pleasure from wealth or good issues? I really feel responsible for a way the Lord has blessed us.

Counting My Blessings

Expensive Counting My Blessings,

No, it isn’t improper to have good issues; nevertheless, let’s study two false teachings about cash.

One is the prosperity gospel, which says we are able to demand God to make us materially wealthy and that wealth is an indication of His favor in our lives. The opposite is the poverty gospel, which deems cash to be evil, assumes the wealthy should be grasping, and believes electing poverty makes yet another righteous in God’s eyes.

Keep in mind, we’re all unrighteous and solely made righteous as a present of Christ’s righteousness via religion in Him; it isn’t earned by our works. 

The Bible teaches us that every thing belongs to the Lord; all that we have now is not only a blessing but in addition a duty as His stewards. 1 Corinthians 4:2 declares that “stewards must be found faithful.” So usually, Christians thank God for his or her abundance however disregard their duty to make use of their sources as trustworthy stewards of momentary riches.

Once we suppose cash is ours, we normally ask ourselves, “How much of my money should I give?” The higher query is, “How much of God’s money should I spend on my lifestyle?”

Trustworthy stewardship

It’s essential to prayerfully decide a balanced monetary place and be cautious in opposition to advisors who create guidelines out of rules. We have to study our personal hearts earlier than the Lord and His Phrase: Are we accumulating an excessive amount of? Are we defending moderately than rising in generosity? How a lot ought to we depart our kids? How a lot ought to we make investments or maintain for retirement?

Solutions differ for each household, they usually have to be prayed over and mentioned with clever, godly counselors.

How a lot is sufficient?

We’ve sufficient after we can “do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for ourselves as a good foundation for the future, so that we may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18–19 ESV paraphrased).

Let’s aspire to dwell this manner! We’re to work and supply for our family members whereas holding a humble dependence on God. Affluence presents an incredible risk to our stroll with the Lord. For “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21 ESV).

We should always not rely on the federal government, the church, or others when we have now the flexibility to work and supply for ourselves or the chance to advance our training. Laziness is unacceptable. We must also not really feel responsible when our work has monetary rewards.

Choices about future provision differ in line with our circumstances. God’s plan for our lives will decide essential way of life changes. 

At a minimal, we must always implement plans to save lots of for upcoming wants and emergencies. Then we are able to give attention to growing our generosity, long-term financial savings, and investing.

Wealth carries threat

God warned Israel of the chance in Deuteronomy 8: “When you have eaten and are satisfied … when your silver and gold increase … then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10–14 NIV).

Their hazard wasn’t poverty; it was prosperity. Affluence can quietly shift our dependence. When sources improve, it’s simple to belief salaries and financial savings accounts greater than our Supplier.

Jesus stated in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (NIV). Wealth provides safety, however except accompanied by give up, it will probably result in self-sufficiency and change into an enemy of trustworthy stewardship.

Wealth will not be evil. It’s a device. However instruments can construct — or they’ll distract.

If God has entrusted you with a lot, guard your coronary heart. Apply gratitude day by day. Work joyfully, give sacrificially, and spend money on what lasts ceaselessly.

The best risk of affluence isn’t dropping cash; it’s dropping dependence on God.

Be pleased about what you’ve

The reality is, most People are wealthy past comparability when considered within the context of financial historical past. However too usually, we solely examine ourselves with what our buddies have. In the event that they purchase a brand new automotive, we could also be tempted to do likewise. Or we are able to rejoice with them whereas being grateful that our automobile nonetheless works and that we will help others afford a reliable automobile of their want.

Paul spoke with the Ephesian elders, saying,

“I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 6:33–35 ESV).

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11–13 ESV).

Time right here is brief, however eternity is lengthy

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21 ESV).

I refer you to a few of my buddies, the Hobelmann brothers, who set a monetary end line:  https://www.finishlinepledge.com. Prayerfully think about if the Lord is main you to do likewise.

Whether or not you’ve been a part of Crown for years or are simply discovering us, we’d love so that you can be a part of our fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. For 5 a long time, Crown has taught biblical stewardship rules that remodel funds, strengthen households, and deepen religion. Lives have been modified. Communities have been empowered. Objective has been rediscovered. And we’re simply getting began!