Money Matters

Money matters to people's lives a lot. To many, money has even been worshipped as a god. To such, they will do anything for money's sake. In fact, money is one of the key baits Satan uses to trap many children of God. To be pure in money matters really needs the Lord's mercy. I have been learning this lesson of dealing with money, not just for myself but even in helping others to learn the lesson in money matters.

A brother has been directly mentioning his monetary needs since the time he met me. He has the burden to serve the Lord but he cannot really get rid of money in his thought for ministry. For everything that he planned to do, his consideration is more leaning toward money. I have been very careful with him and I do not want money to come in between our relationship in Christ. Whenever he mentioned money matters, I simply ignored it and never talked on that line. Recently, he separated one of his shops for a meeting hall. He directly asked me to help him in the renovation work as a brother. But I never had any burden from the Lord nor any leading from Him to participate in his request. Even if there were offerings that could be designated to him, I'd rather not offer to him at all. I wanted to keep our relationship in Christ without any monetary tag. 

When I visited him after he renovated the meeting hall, he still kept mentioning his lack and his concern about money matters. Then I finally had to give a testimony of how the Lord provided all my needs since the time He called me to serve Him. I strongly emphasized the point that "I would not mention my financial need to anyone except the Lord." The Lord has His way of providing for His children's needs. And shared with him how the Lord provided all my needs since the time I came to serve Him full-time. 

He and his wife were very much touched by the testimony. I do believe, they have got the message concerning money matters in the service of the Lord. And I also told them that I would offer to their needs whenever the Lord leads me so, until then, even if I had money, I would not participate in their work without the Lord's leading.

Another brother whom the Lord graced me to participate in meeting his financial need last year as he was barred from attending his high school classes and exams due to nonpayment of fees which was also due to the pandemic that made his father jobless for two years now. All the amounts were offered to them through the offerings the Lord provided. I told them not to pay back as the Lord had already supplied their needs. 

In the last two Lord's days, they mentioned their need again for an even higher amount than before, for the same school fees. But this time I was not burdened at all yet I told them that I would fellowship with the church brothers. When I fellowshipped with the church brothers, we all felt the same that this time we may not give them any financial help. If they could not afford it, perhaps, they have to change school and go to a school they could afford. Therefore, we were clear this time that their request would be rejected. We would help them to trust the Lord and find ways to meet their needs, but not through the church, this time.

Another brother was helped financially during the pandemic. In fact, some amount was loaned to him which he should pay back as and when he could, but he eventually never bothered to pay it back. Now, this brother's wife is pregnant and she will give birth in a month's time, increasing the need for finance. Besides, his source of income from tuition classes also was dwindling. Whenever I considered designating a certain amount of offering to him, I had no leading from the Lord. I realized that the Lord wanted him to learn some precious matter of faith. Therefore, monetary help will be given only when the Lord gave me the peace to do so.

In all of these cases, I am learning my lesson on dealing with money matters as money matters. I hope I am learning this lesson well. I must be wise in money matters as money matters even in the Christian life.