The Gospel and Money

Christian Beliefs About Money Introduction: We live in a consumer-oriented society. Our culture insists that we think about money – about how we will earn it, how we will spend it, and whether we have enough of it. Since money is such a dominant force in our lives, as disciples of Jesus our faithfulness includes the actions we take with money. This is why Christians need a statement of beliefs about money. Belief #1: Money has godlike strength. Because money has godlike strength, our earning and use of money communicate our values. Belief #2: Christians share in God’s values. Christians are called to share God’s values – that is – to view and respond to the world the way God does. Belief #3: Christians use money to communicate God’s values. Because of our citizenship in God’s kingdom, and our loyalty to God’s values, our joyful response is to give our life’s work to God’s service, and to use wealth in cooperation with God’s values. Belief #4: Jesus Christ, the agent of Salvation. As Christians practice their beliefs about money, they must remember that God accomplishes his saving work through Jesus, the Christ and Lord of the universe. Belief #5: Profound conversion. When we joyfully meet God’s grace in Jesus, we are empowered to live out our belief that God is owner of all. We dedicate all of life in an act of worship to God. We commit ourselves to participate in God’s saving work. Belief #6: Firstfruits living. We show this dedication when we give back to God out of the first and best of the resources we manage on God’s behalf, and by managing the rest in generous ways that give glory to God. Belief #7: The benefit of a church family. When we make decisions about generous and grace-filled living, we are helping by seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of the church – our family of greatest importance. From pages 130-131 of A Christian View of Money by Mark Vincent, copyright 1997 by Herald Press. Adapted by the author. Used by permission.