One of my Favorite Scriptural Principals

Luke 8:18(NKJV)

18Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

This has always been one of my favorite Biblical concepts.  This same principal is echoed in the Parable of the Talents.

Luke 19:20-26(NKJV)

20“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 

21For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 

22And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 

23Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

24“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 

25(But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 

26‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 

Please note that both of these passages are red letter passages indicating that Jesus himself said these words. 

Is this about money and finances?  Yes it is, and about so much more.  Let's start with the money issue first so we can get it out of the way and talk about the deeper issue. 

Contrary to popular belief I think the majority of people of wealth are decent hard working, everyday people.   There is an interesting book that was written back in 1996 called The Millionaire Next Door.  This book focuses on the everyday people in our lives who are millionaires, many of whom you would never guess it if you didn't know. 

Here is a little bit from the review on Amazon.com.

"How can you join the ranks of America's wealthy (defined as people whose net worth is over $1 million)? It's easy, say doctors Stanley and Danko, who have spent the last 20 years interviewing members of this elite club: you just have to follow seven simple rules. The first rule is, always live well below your means. The last rule is, choose your occupation wisely. You'll have to buy the book to find out the other five. It's only fair. The authors' conclusions are commonsensical. But, as they point out, their prescription often flies in the face of what we think wealthy people should do. There are no pop stars or athletes in this book, but plenty of wallboard manufacturers--particularly ones who take cheap, infrequent vacations. Stanley and Danko mercilessly show how wealth takes sacrifice, discipline, and hard work, qualities that are positively discouraged by our high-consumption society."

Pasted from <http://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/0671015206>

So one of the reasons that whoever has, more will be given is because they are following good Biblical principals on financial management.  In other words, as they have shown them selves worthy in the management of their finances at a smaller level, Good has continued to bless them at higher and higher levels as they have earned it.  This leads me to the deeper issue.

I believe the underlying principal is that when God sees us using the talents that He gave us we grow and when we aren't using those talents we don't grow, we atrophy.  I believe this principal works in all areas of our lives.  And if we apply this principal to all the other areas of our lives, the financial area will take care of itself.  Here is what I mean.

We are all given 24 hours in a day and we are all given many blessings, talents and abilities.  Are you using them to the best of your ability?  If not your skills will probably slowly deteriorate.  Are you actively doing anything to maintain and improve your health?  If not your health will probably fade more quickly than someone who does take care of themselves.

Are you doing anything to actively improve your job skills and your value to your employer?  If not you may find yourself out of a job and no good prospects for the future.  Are you actively doing anything to improve your relationship with your spouse and kids?  If not, why not?  And most importantly, are you actively using your time, talents, and ability to further the Kingdom of God?  If you are then expect growth, if not then expect atrophy.

Folks, as Christians we have all been given much, we all fall into the category of those to whom much has been given.  Therefore much is expected of us.  I believe that the more we apply our talents and abilities to God's Kingdom, the more He will turn around and take those skills that we develop in His service and He will use those same skills to bless us in all other areas of our lives including the financial.  

That is why I have always said, "When God calls, answer the call.  And the more uncomfortable the call, the more important it is to answer the call because God has identified an area of your life He would like to help you grow in."  If you will just trust God and follow His lead, more will be given; if not, well you know the rest of that story.  It's your choice!