Finding Peace in Our Finances
In our fast-paced world, peace often feels like a luxury we can't afford. Yet, for followers of Jesus, peace is not just a fleeting mood but a profound promise. As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This peace isn't about chasing momentary relief from our worries. Instead, it's about cultivating a lifelong vision of abiding with Jesus. As Jesus Himself said in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." Simply put, we find peace where we fully trust and abide in Jesus, and we lack it where we try to go it alone.
One area where many of us struggle to find peace is in our finances. It's a topic that Jesus addressed frequently in His teachings, speaking about money as often as He spoke about heaven. This emphasis reveals a profound truth: our approach to money is deeply connected to our spiritual lives.
Consider the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector whose encounter with Jesus led to a radical transformation. After dining with Jesus, Zacchaeus declared, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus responded, "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:8-9). This story illustrates that our attitude towards money can be a powerful indicator of our spiritual condition.
But why does Jesus link money so closely to our spiritual lives? One reason is the hidden danger of greed. Greed isn't just about loving money; it can also manifest as excessive worry or lack of peace over financial matters. Like Zacchaeus, we might be blind to the greed in our own hearts until Jesus holds up a mirror to show us.
Jesus offers us a different perspective on wealth, one that contrasts sharply with the world's view. While the worldly principle of greed says, "All I have is mine to do what will make me happy," Jesus teaches us what we might call the Treasure Principle: "I can't take it with me, but I can send it ahead" (inspired by Matthew 6:20).
This principle invites us to shift our focus from accumulating wealth for ourselves to investing in eternal treasures. It's not about having more, but about being more. As Randy Alcorn puts it in "The Treasure Principle," the more we give away in love, the more we become.
So how can we cultivate this peaceful approach to our finances? Here are a few key principles:
1. Honor God as your ultimate source
Remember that all we have comes from God. As Moses warned the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8:17-18, "He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful."
2. Be a blessing to others
Jesus taught that "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). When we use our resources to bless others, we participate in God's generous nature and find joy beyond mere accumulation.
3. Biblically prioritize your financial "buckets"
Instead of the common order of Spend, Save, and Give (if anything's left), consider reversing it to Give, Save, and then Live/Spend. This approach aligns with God's economy and can lead to greater fulfillment and peace.
4. Give in response to God's gift of Jesus
As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." Our giving is a response to the immeasurable gift we've received in Christ.
Practically speaking, how might this look in our lives? It could mean sponsoring a child through an organization like Compassion International, supporting local charities, or committing to regular, intentional giving to your church or other ministries. It's not about the amount, but about the heart behind the giving.
As we navigate our financial lives, let's challenge ourselves to see money through God's eyes. It's not just about balancing our budgets, but about aligning our hearts with God's purposes. When we do, we may find that the peace we've been seeking in our finances was available all along – not in having more, but in trusting God more fully with what we have.
In closing, let's reflect on Jesus' words in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." As we learn to treasure what God treasures, we'll discover a peace that transcends our bank balances – a peace rooted in the unshakeable love and provision of our Heavenly Father.