Faith & Finance

There’s a correlation here to the Malachai passage we explored last month. On the surface, Malachai was berating the temple priests for robbing God of His tithe. As we dug deeper, it led us to a deeper discovery: that tithing means more when it’s given joyfully.

These lines from 2 Corinthians 9 take joyful giving a step further, exploring the relationship between generosity and thanksgiving.

Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve explored a difficult passage together. Malachai 3:8-10 asks us to reflect on the ways in which we might be robbing God; something many of us probably haven’t ever considered. We might say that we’re fulfilling our obligatory tithe; yet by not committing to tithing joyfully, we still rob Him.

Today might be our final day talking about this passage, but it doesn’t have to be the final day living it. If we employ tools for creating a joyfully giving heart, we can apply that practice every day and embrace financial fearlessness.

We’ve spent two weeks already with Malachai 3:8-10, reflecting on how failure to return our first fruits to God isn’t the only way to rob Him. We also rob God by tithing begrudgingly with a closed, resentful heart. Committing to tithing joyfully is as important as the act of tithing. Last week we talked about anticipating our harvest and offering a tithe as we go. What does that look like on a practical level and how do we equip ourselves to do it?

Last week we began a dive into Malachai 3:8-10 with a reflection on what it means to rob God and by asking: Why? Why would anyone rob Him when He gives to us so freely. Normally on week two, our exploration takes us into what it means and how to commit to the lesson in that month’s passage. This month we’re going to do something a little different. We’re not just going to commit to tithing, but to commit to doing it joyfully.

This is a big passage. Robbing God?? Who would dare? Maybe the more important question is why would someone rob God?

Some Christians happily tithe their 10% every month, others do it maybe out of habit or just because it’s “what you’re supposed to do.” Yet, why do we tithe? Why is it 10%? To really understand both that why and this passage, we need to look outside Malachai. The practice of tithing comes up multiple times across the Bible, in both the Old and the New Testaments. Our answers lie there.

During these last four weeks, we’ve spent time with Matthew 25:14-30, reflecting on the role of the often-overlooked servant who received two talents. He demonstrates that it’s not how much we have, but what we do with it that shows our commitment to God’s plan. We also talked about simple ways we can equip ourselves to multiple our talents. This week, we’ll wrap up our study on the Parable of Talents and see how, by applying ourselves to faithfully steward that which we’ve been given, our talents will multiply themselves.

There’s one aspect of this parable we haven’t fully discussed: trust. Trust is faith. By affirming our faith in God we’re saying that we trust in Him. However, no matter our faith, many of us shy away from using the word trust.

So far this month, we’ve reflected on the significance of the servant who received two talents in Matthew 24:14-30 and committed ourselves to taking responsibility for what we’ve been given and using it for God’s purpose and serving others. This week, we’ll look at some concrete tools that will equip us to do exactly that.

By putting away a small amount of money every week, we accumulate enough by the end of the month to make a difference to someone. You might have heard me talk about financial “buckets.” We can look at this as our “talent bucket.”

Last week, we reflected on how many of us resemble the servant from the Parable of the Talents who received two talents: we have the ability to rise to the occasion, but we often don’t until we’re tested. This week, we’ll look at what it means to commit to using our talents to be better stewards of God’s blessings.

Committing to using our talents for God’s purpose comes down to a question that’s simple to ask, but may be difficult to answer: Are we willing to take responsibility for what we've been entrusted with? 

When most of us read Mathew 25:14-30, our attention goes to the servant who received five talents, or to the servant who received one. Rarely do we consider the servant who received two. As we explore this passage this month, we reflect on the significance of the two-talent servant and how what our resemblance to him means.  

First, what exactly is a talent?

Earlier in August, we reflected on the opportunities we miss when we enjoy plenty to the detriment of our preparation for the future and talked about the need to commit ourselves to see God’s provisions for what they are: not resources to be spent to depletion or simply to be enjoyed, but as resources to prepare us for life’s droughts. Our delay in posting means that this week, we tackle together both how to equip ourselves and apply the lessons we’ve learned from Genesis 41.

What if the financial resources we enjoy today have a purpose beyond today? Genesis 41 shows Joseph recognizing that Egypt’s years of plenty were preparing the nation for the drought ahead. Pharaoh had a choice: admire the wisdom of Joseph’s proposal or commit to it. He chose to act.

We face the same decision. Retirement, unemployment, a health emergency, or another unexpected hardship may eventually change our financial picture. We may not know which drought is ahead, but we do know that one will come.

The question is whether our financial decisions today reflect what we say we believe about tomorrow.

Genesis 41:33-56 records one of the most remarkable financial plans in Scripture: seven years to prepare for seven years of famine. Most of us won't get that kind of warning. But we know that droughts, financial and otherwise, are part of life. The wisdom isn't in predicting when they'll come. It's in how we steward what we have right now. Reflect with us this week on what it means to prepare wisely, without losing the joy of today's blessings.

We don't become faithful stewards by making one good financial decision; we do it by applying wise decisions consistently until they become part of how we live. Jesus said: "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?" (Luke 14:28) Counting the cost is where the builder begins. Applying that wisdom day after day is how the builder finishes.

What are you building? Jesus' illustration of a builder reminds us that wise stewardship requires more than good intentions. It requires a plan. This week's Faith & Finance Fridays blog explores a practical exercise that equips us to turn financial goals into actionable steps by defining the goal, establishing a timeline, and counting the cost.

Jesus' builder counts the cost because the tower matters to him. This week's Faith & Finance Fridays explores why conviction matters and how caring deeply about the future strengthens our willingness to pursue it.

Jesus uses the image of a builder to teach something deeper about discipleship, wisdom, and direction. This week’s Faith & Finance Fridays reflects on Luke 14:28, what kind of life we’re hoping to build, and whether the direction of our money reflects it.