You may have heard the saying Money makes the world go round.  Well, in a sense it does.  One can learn a lot from money.  Knowing and appreciating its worth.  There is a term used in economics and accountancy called “opportunity cost”.   It is the lost of alternative uses for the money when one alternative is chosen.   In other words, the lost of a benefit that a person could have received, but gave up to take another course of action.  It is sometimes also called alternative cost. 

Think of it in the sense of all the good bad things you could have been doing if not chosen to follow Yahweh God.  The pleasures, treasures and fun you could have had.  The hurt by mouth or actions you could have imposed on others. 

Well as another saying goes, nothing in life is free.  There is no free lunch, even if not in the monetary sense and definitely not eternal salvation of Yahweh God.  Had you not chosen to give up an alternative lifestyle, you would not get His promise.  Yet there are those who teach we are saved by grace and it is a free gift.  If it is so free, why are we asked and taught by God through His bible to change? 

It is a basic principle of salvation and money.  If you want good things for the future, you or someone on your behalf, has to sacrifice and invest today.  Israel got the favour of God because of their father Abraham’s investment of faith and obedience  Gen 26:4  And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Gen 26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.  

Israel was God’s first born, yet 430 years earlier, before their conception through Jacob, God had planned and prepared for them.  Just like a loving well thinking father or parent.  Exo_4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: Exo_12:40  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. Exo_12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

PRE BIRTH: Even before we were born money came into our conception and prior existence.  If it was done rightly our parents would have planned our arrival.  They would have planned to have us, save up the money, have premises ready  as a room with a cot.  Maybe have a baby shower to get some gifts from family and friends.  All of which took money.   They may even have waited for a while to make sure they had a stable job and income.  When God created our original parents Adam and Eve, He too prepared for them with a premise, the garden.  Furnished it with animals, vegetation and all they would need.  Like a good parent He planned time to be with His newborns.  They are called seasons in Gen 1:14, feasts and holy convocations Lev 23: 2 and Sabbaths in 23:38 and elsewhere.  

All good parents have a plan and good intensions for their children.  They plan how to raise them, what they expect from them and how they want them to turn out.  Happy, good and successful.  They may have set some money aside to achieve those aims.  Similarly, spiritually, our heavenly father Yahweh God, set aside a price for us to be happy, good and successful.  It is said to have been done at Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

A price was paid before we were born. We are said to have been born in sin.  Not meaning we sinned when we were born or before being born; but we came from a tree of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God and sinned.  Thus the bible says just as sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, so through another man, Yahshua life came.  Both are called “sons of God”; but Yahshua represents the tree of eternal life.  One tree is disobedience and the other is obedience doing the Father’s will and speaking His words.  One tree contains sin or leaven and the other is sinless and leavenless. 

Paul tried to explain it in Romans.  Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  

So though we came from the tree of sin and disobedience, through the other son and tree we have been given the opportunity to be grafted into the tree of eternal life and be a child of God from the sinless tree.  How is this done?  Just as Romans 11:23 says people of one tree can be grafted into another through their belief, similarly we can be grafted into Yahshua’s tree.  With the Jews of Romans 11:23 it was adopting a belief mindset.  With us it is adopting the same plus the obedience that they had.  See Rev 14:12.  Those Jews were broken off for unbelief and were able to be grafted back in when they acquired the belief.  We coming from the sinful disobedient tree are cut off from it when we, unlike our parents Adam and Eve, obey God.  However, God is able to graft us back into the tree of our birth if we return to disobedience. 

Another basic principle of money, life and assets is if we over consume in the earlier part we will have nothing or insufficient left in the future.  Biblically we have the parable of the Prodigal son.  God’s world has reached an imbalance because of over consumption of earth’s resources.  Rain forest and trees affect our climate.  Waste disposal affects our seas and fish stock, meeting human merchandise demands affect our air and health through pollution and contamination. You can learn a lot about the character of an individual or country that lives for the now.  Most people, Christians included, live from wage packet to wage packet.  They have fallen for the same financial traps as the world despite their teaching not to be materialistic nor feeling valued by their appearance and assets.  The Pro_22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Is not applied financially nor religiously.  Most and their children still worship Christmas and other financial burdensome seasons.

Instead of individuals investing today for consumption tomorrow, they are consuming today for payment tomorrow.  Living on credit, borrowed funds and optimism and blanking out the problems it cause and costs when expected income does not materialise or in the time you expected or needed it.  How many follow the teachings of their manual Pro_13:22  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children. 

From early in the bible we have that teaching.  Noah took male and female animals into the Ark so the earth would always have them.  Man has subsequently hunted some into extinction.   The promise God gave Abraham was one of an inheritance for his offspring.  Only with secure provision for the future can one be secure, free and independent of others to live and worship as they want and the God they want.  God knew that and that is the basis of taking them out of Egypt where they were working for Egypt and worshipping Egyptian Gods.  Look at how the Jews and another religion operate today to get that point. God also instituted an inheritance system whereby a family would always be able to work for themselves even if they fell on bad times.  Each family had land and that land could not be passed to another family or creditor.  At least not beyond  a year of jubilee. 

You may know of the prodigal son parable.  One of two sons could not wait for his father to die to get his inheritance so he asked his father for it in advance.  He took it and left to enjoy life without restraint Luk 15:14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luk 15:15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luk 15:16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 

Despite all the teachings of the bible and events of history as the Wall Street and other crashes of economies or businesses, Christians still end up as those of 2,000 years ago. 

Matthew 20 tells of unemployed people who had no work and had not provided for such times.  They hung around on the streets hoping for a day’s employment.  In such cases then and today an employer can take advantage of you.  Cause you to do things you would not otherwise have done.  Get into industries would not have contemplated.  Sink to depths of the unthinkable.  Become a person way off the radar as your parents planned for you or you for yourself.  Whether hurting others or even selling your soul to the devil.  All because of not preparing and prevention planning.  With Jacob in Genesis 42 – 46, when the famine came, he had substance and assets; but not food.  However, at least he was able to exchange the assets for food.  Unlike, the Egyptians who also exchanged assets and land for food until they had nothing left and became servants to pharaoh, Jacob also had God who not only saw him through the famine, as He did Abraham and Isaac; but in the end replaced those assets when they came out of Egypt.  The same thing God did with Job when he proved God was more valuable to him than family, possessions or health.  

We have a limited life time.  The bible says an average of 70 years.  But many die at half that or less.  Some have the view of living for the present.  Trying to beat the system by enjoying themselves without  a care, plan or provision for tomorrow.  If successful they die owing the tax man compared to leaving hard earned money for him.  They have a problem when they do not die and need resources they do not have.  The prudent man does more than save up for a rainy day.  They save up for a storm.  Making themselves financially secure; but sometimes die leaving to the tax man.  There are times to be optimistic and times not to be.   It is better to have something you do not need than need something you do not have. 

Another saying is hope for the best, plan for the worst.  Those who plan and prepare are being optimistic that they would live to enjoy it.  When Jacob ran away from Esau, it was solely for life preservation and not intended to be permanent.  The same with Joseph and Mary who fled with baby Yahshua until Herod had died.  Probably the only reason Jacob remained with Laban beyond seven years was due to being tricked into marrying the wrong sister.  However, you can see he had a plan.  

Gen 30:25  And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Gen 30:26  Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. Gen 30:27  And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. Gen 30:28  And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. Gen 30:29  And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. Gen 30:30  For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? Gen 30:31  And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock: Gen 30:32  I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. Gen 30:33  So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. Gen 30:34  And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. Gen 30:35  And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 

Some may say Jacob stole Laban’s animal stock.  Others may say it was for being tricked with his wife.  However, Laban agreed to the terms.  Whatever the reason, we know God was in there somewhere.  Jacob had the faith and God of his father, worked hard and used his brains.  Three things are needed for success that many Christians today seem to miss.  Many rely on faith without hard work, brains or a long term plan and preparation. 

Success is not simply working hard; but working smart.  Produce more in less time or with less effort.  Though we have to provide for the future, we do not have to provide for future wants; only future needs.  If we focus on future wants, there will always be new wants on the market to keep you at work.  God put a balance on our working life. 

Exo 20:8  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exo 20:9  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exo 20:10  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Exo 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

There is more to that day than just taking it off.  It teaches us to down tools even when we do not want to.  Gives us time to enjoy our family and all the simple things in life we can do with them including unity of worship.  If we can adopt a mentality of downing tools regardless of the possible lost income, we will have a more balanced, peaceful and healthy life. 

High income earners may find it hard to take a day off work for leisure due to the level of wages they would lose.  The cost of going  to see a child’s sports day could be huge.  However, if they looked at it God’s way, they may put the family life above the extra income where money is not seen as the number one or the measuring tool.  Their reward may be far more and beneficial than money. Yet do not use that as an excuse not to work hard when it is time to work. 

LOVE  

Through the correct appreciation of the value of money we can understand the depths of someone’s love.  1Sa_2:19  Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.  Hannah brought Samuel a coat every year.  Jacob made Joseph a special coat.  The example I would use to reflect a monetary cost is that of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11. 

Luk 15:11  And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luk 15:12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luk 15:13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.  

The son was not entitled to what he got.  It was only meant to be his on his father’s death.  Until then it was the father’s.  The accumulated proceeds of his careful “living”.  Provision he may have needed in the event of famines or other occurrences as with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Provisions he had set apart to meet his obligations as a father, employer and head of household.  Yet, out of great love for the son, he put his son above him, his obligations and security of household. 

Today some parents and children do the same.  Children play the emotional card and take advantage of parent’s love.  Parents act against better wisdom in order to show the child they love them.  Borrowing or spending money that could be put to better use now or in the future.  They live on credit and teach children to live on credit.  The results are long and varied from future poverty, suicides or working in jobs and for hours against their will.  With Christmas coming up many families will embark on that trap forgetting the previous years’ traps and things they bought that are now even forgotten a few months later.  Love should not be measured in monetary terms; but on genuine care for you.  Pro_27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 

A parent may not buy their child presents; but pay for an extra education lesson as an investment in the child’s future.  That is better love displayed.  Though money can show the depths of someone’s love, it can also misrepresent love.  Many people confuse money being spent on them as love.  It is not love if something is expected in return.  Nor can love be bought by spending money on someone.  If you do not know how to identity genuine love you may fall for someone who spends money on you initially only for you to be doing all the spending for years thereafter because they lured you in.  Genuine love is given without money.  Isa_55:1  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

SACRIFICE

Not only does money teach us about love; but also sacrifice.  God Himself, through Yahshua, made the biggest sacrifice.  Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac as a sign of obedience and faith.  From Moses to the prophets to the apostles, servants of God made or were willing to make huge sacrifices, even to death.  Daniel and his colleagues either in the lion’s den or furnace.  In the New Testament a rich man, a keeper of the whole law was not willing to give up his wealth.  To which Yahshua said Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 

Being saved requires sacrifice to the extent of putting everything and everyone including ourselves, second to God.  Mat_10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Luk 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  

Even Paul’s life tells us of the sacrifice he made.  Unmarried, travelling from city to city.  This is some of the sacrifices he said he made 2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  

For monetary examples of sacrifice I will remind you of one.  Mar 14:3  And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. Mar 14:4  And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? Mar 14:5  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 

PRIDE

The bible honours many who have sacrificed more than money.  I gave some examples of servants of God.  Ordinary people did similar.  Sometimes pride was their sacrifice as the Canaanite woman of Matthew 15 who wanted Yahshua’s mercy.  Two verse being  Mat_15:26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.  Mat_15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.  

The two blind men who cried out when all told them to be quiet Mat 20:29  And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. Mat 20:30  And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. Mat 20:31  And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.  

Zacchaeus, a rich chief who climbed a tree in full view of the crowd. Luk 19:2  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. Luk 19:3  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. Luk 19:4  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  

Mar 2:1  And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. Mar 2:2  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. Mar 2:3  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. Mar 2:4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 

Many parents clean toilets, work late hours away from family, drive the old broken car or other sacrifices unknown to their children so the child can have a better education, start in life or life than them.  Sacrifices that have greater value than money because of the hardship, tears, pain or humiliation endured to achieve the outcome. 

Conversely, many fail to achieve due to pride, even foolish pride.  They pretend to be well off.  “Fronting it”, the slang word given by the youth to mean putting up a false front or appearance.  They may pretend to have passed their exams, have certain qualifications when applying for jobs, drive a nice car purchased on credit, have no money in the bank yet dress as if affluent.  They may even be unemployed or living from pay packet to pay pack.  Even hand to mouth.  Not thinking they will ever be out of work.  Some may lose their job, yet leave home daily as if going to work rather than tell their family.  They set their value by what they drive, wear or compared to others.  By a monetary value rather than character. 

The foolish pride that some have may prevent them asking for help due embarrassment or other reason.  Help they need to prevent downward motion in their lives or building them back up.  The opposite to them are fraudsters who pretend they are poor and needy to get the charity of others which they add to their wealth. I recently saw videos of people pretending to be one legged for such a purpose.  They do not care about pride, they just want the money.  In the faith, we also have the fakers, hypocrites etc.  People who would pretend to be Christian to prey on others or to get married to one.  Or when couples separate for whatever reason, refusing to reunite even when they are struggling financially, realise the error in separation or things would be better as a twofold cord. Ecc 4:9  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecc 4:10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecc 4:11  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Ecc 4:12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

All errors of pride can be cured if people would accept the error and drop the pride.  Admit you need help, ask and accept if offered.  It may take some sacrifice; but it would be for the better.  Return and study to pass the exams you failed.  Live within your means with money to spare for unexpected events not only expected ones.  Stop the cycle or do not be tempted to borrow especially the payday type of loans with huge APR interest rates.  It may be paying back £50 to borrow £30 for one month; but the problem would only get worse.  Do without the loan.  Eat bread and water or whatever sacrifice and hardship it takes to get back in the red.  If you borrow from a friend, make sure you pay them back on time or you may never have that escape route again.  Two is better than one and enables saving by sharing common expenses.  Saying sorry is a good healer and means to profit.  It also works with God, which I shall cover under Repentance below. 

The Widow's Offering:  Luk 21:1  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. Luk 21:2  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. Luk 21:3  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: Luk 21:4  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.  

Samuel’s mother Hannah, in a sense also sacrificed her living.  A life for which she yearned in a child. 1Sa 1:11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head...  1Sa 1:22  But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever...  1Sa 1:28  Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. 

In the first scriptural example the widow who had no husband to care and provide for her in her old age, gave all she had, probably not knowing from where her next meal would come.  In the second example, Hannah a woman who shared a husband and had no one of her own.  Imagine how lonely she may have felt.  Especially being mocked by the other wife and being childless being seen as God’s disfavour.  How she longed for a child.  Praying year in and year out.  Looking forward to having a life raising him and maybe he proving for her in her old age.  Having grand children etc.  Then to give all that up when he is just weaned.  Both women gave up a financial security.  There are other examples of sacrifice not so directly tied to money as in Judges 11:34 where Jephthah vowed to sacrifice whatever came out of his house, and it was his daughter Mizpeh.  Or the widow in 1King 17:12 who gave the last meal reserved for herself and son before they died to Elijah. 

ENDURANCE.  Money can also affect ones level of endurance.  I alluded to it in love above.  How a parent or other person will endure things they otherwise would not for the sake of love.  It can also be for the sake of money.  Either to get, or because they do not have.  To get is easier to see.  Examples as television programs as Big Brother and I Am A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.  Where in the latter, people eat or mix with unthinkable things,  or endure other mental challenges to get a financial reward.  Others may do the same or similar to keep a job, reach a destination, survive an incident.  Or pay a price to recover something or someone or avoid pain.

Again mental strength and endurance are things taught in the bible.  Man is made in God’s image and like Him we have in us the strength to endure 1Ch 16:34  (Psm 136:1) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Job endured alot.  Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

Those who do not have root will not endure, even for money.  Someone who does something for money may have less endurance than one who does it for love or faith Mar 4:17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 

1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

2Ti 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 2Ti 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 

2Co_12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Co 11:23  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 

2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 

2Co_12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  

Money can also be an indication of one’s EMPATHY

1Sa 1:4  And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 1Sa 1:5  But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 1Sa 1:8  Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 

Ones’ PATIENCE or impatience can also be affect by and measured by money.   How long are they willing to wait, to study etc.  Job and Abraham are cited in the bible as patient people.  We are also called to have patience, especially in the waiting for the second coming of our saviour and His vindication of us i.e. judgement on our oppressors 2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; Rev_6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Rev_13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Rev_14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

REPENTANCE: 

There is another saying “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”.  When we see people in problems or we ourselves get in them, it may mean we failed to prepare or prepare adequately for them.  It could be anything from laziness, complacency, not having the foresight or knowledge needed to prepare. If it was foreseeable problems, then it is the fault of the individual and a sign of their character.  There are people who have been rich and became destitute or bankrupt.  At one time they lived the extravagant life thinking the money would never stop coming in or end.  We read of them from the sports, Hollywood, and music industries. 

Then there are ones with the foresight to realise the product or skill on which they rely for their wealth will be coming to an end.  Fax machine and C.D. disc manufacturers and sales people who saw the mobile phone would put them out of business.  I was told a story about the richest man in Babylon.  That is also the title of the book.  He was a slave who used to sell his meal to the other slaves and sit with nothing while they ate.  They would feel sorry for him and share the meal.  When he got paid he would lend them money at interest. 

We can adopt the same wise or foolish attitude when preparing for after our death.  Many have the foresight to enquire about what happens after death.  Some of those who come to faith in the bible, turned away from God.  Similar to those of the bible, especially Israel.  Yahshua told parables about the wise, lazy and foolish as a parallel to believers attitudes.  One of the sower in Mat 13:18 + is one example of those who received the knowledge; but did not use it correctly to prepare.  Mat 25:24, the man given one talent and did nothing with it compared to the other men who were productiive.  In Luke 16:7+ Yahshua told a parable about a dishonest manager who had the wisdom to prepare for the time when he would be sacked. 

The last connection to life and money I wish to make is repentance.  That can be genuine or fake.  Done for ulterior motives of sincerely showing remorse.  Some may buy flowers or chocolates, for a lady or other things for a men.   The value of the item compared to the financial ability of the giver may give some indication.  Alternatively the effort  they put in to get that item and it to you.  Yahshua commonly said to those he assisted “sin no more”.  The last conversation of which we read between Zaccahaeus and Yahshua is one of genuine repentance and forgiveness with a financial value Luk 19:8  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. Luk 19:9  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. Luk 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  

Zaccahaeus was obeying the law of God which had an element financial loss in repentance.  Whether it was in respect of sins against fellow countrymen or God.  Are we not lucky we nolonger have to offer our livestock or assets as a sign of repentance. 

Returning to the Prodigal son’s parable, when he realised his error, how he could be better off returning to his father, the narrative says: 

Luk 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luk 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luk 15:19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  

The father paid a price to prove his love for his son, half of the future inheritance.  As the father paid for the son’s error, so our God has paid for our sins with the sacrifice of Yahshua.  The innocent lost out so the guilty can see the genuine love.  As money can teach us a lot about love, life and people, so can the price God paid teach us about Him.  I urge you to learn the lessons and make the right choice of life to avoid the similar destitute result failure to make financial preparation bring.

Psa 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 

Shalom.