The beginning of wisdom and knowledge is fear of the Lord
- As we take a look at wisdom with our work and finances, we need to start with the beginning of wisdom. We discussed a few weeks ago about how the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. We can incorporate this into our understanding of work and finances and how to faithfully steward the resources (time and money) that God has given us.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- This is the through line of the entire message today: when considering our work and finances, we MUST have the fear of the Lord at the forefront of our minds.
- It is all His anyways (our time and our possessions) and we are simply stewards of what He has given to us.
Psalm 24:1-2 “1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”
- Whether we have been given much or little, it is our job to steward the resources that the Lord has entrusted to us well and to make sure that our will is aligned with His.
Proverbs for wisdom in our work
We are called to work for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 “23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
- In our work, we are called to keep in mind that it is the Lord whom we are working for. No matter who you are employed by, whether you’re a teacher, a nurse, a mechanic, a stay-at-home mom, or any other profession, it is the Lord that you should give your life to and serve.
- Work in our lives is one of our primary venues of worship. From a time perspective, we spend a majority of our time at work, and therefore we must be careful that we are using it as a means to worship the Lord.
Jesus’ teachings on wisdom in our work
- Jesus himself was a tradesman! Jesus is referred several times in the Bible as a carpenter and a carpenter’s son. The fact that he chose to spend some of His time on earth working with his hands tells us that having wisdom with work in our lives is important.
- Having balance in our life for rest and time with the Lord: Jesus modeled how to live a life full of diligent work that is balanced with rest and time with the Lord. Very often, He would go away to solitary places to rest, pray, and spend time with the Lord. This should be a model to us in our own lives. While diligence is important, we must not let work consume our lives.
- Wisdom in our work looks like daily faithfulness to what God has called us to. Our mindset must be on what the Lord has called us to and not accumulating wealth.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Laziness versus diligence
Proverbs 6:6-11 “6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
Proverbs 10:4-5 “4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”
Proverbs 13:4 “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
Proverbs 24:30-34 “30 I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - 34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
- From the very beginning of creation in the garden of Eden, God created us to have a healthy perspective with work. God charged Adam and Eve with taking care of the garden. Similarly, we need to have diligence with work in our lives as we serve the Lord.
Proverbs for wisdom in our finances
- Finances in the Bible are less about worrying over your stuff and more about managing His stuff well, because all of it belongs to Him anyway.
What did Jesus have to say about finances/money?
- Jesus spoke on money and finances quite often during His ministry. Given this, we would be wise to pay attention and to strive to ensure that money and finances are put in their proper place in our own lives.
- Finances are a means for us to build up treasure in heaven, not a means to acquire physical wealth in our lives.
Luke 12:32-34 “32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Jesus calls us to sacrificial giving.
Mark 12:41-44 “41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.”
- Turning to the Proverbs, we are given some practical examples of how to steward finances well in our lives.
Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
- More money will not solve all of your problems. Instead, it is one of the means of accomplishing the plans that God has in your life.
Debt is not your friend
Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:26-27 “26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”
- When struggling financially, we need to remember that the Lord is our provider. He knows our needs and will provide for them.
Matthew 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ Or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- This is not to say that budgeting and planning with our finances are not important traits. Instead, these verses emphasize having trust that God knows and will provide for all of your needs. When your will is aligned with His will, all of your needs will be taken care of as well.
We need to honor God by being wise with both our work and our finances
