CEBU, Philippines - Have you ever wondered why no matter how hard you work, how much you save, and how strongly you exercise your self-control on spending, you still end up with wanting, needing and asking for more money? The need never seems to end.
In my entrepreneurship class we were taught that before any self-expense, we must look after the expansion of our business first. No splurging on blowouts after the first profit count, no shopping frenzies no matter how tempting the sales come unless purchases relate with business. No new cars after the profit reaches the “car level†or even property speculations. Not unless these mean investments and business plough-ins.
So when can we spend our money? What do we do with the money we earn?
There is one fool proof investment I believe in, and honestly, I wish I could comply thoroughly, and that is “tithingâ€. Bringing in at least a tenth of your earnings, your time, your talents or even your focus to God bears exponential wealth and this is open for testing.
In the book of Malachi Chapter 3 verse 10, we note God’s challenge to us to test Him on this. With the little faith I have, I noted the truth in this promise. By carefully and consciously releasing my tithes to the stewards of the church I belong, I noticed the fullness of God’s provision in every aspect of my life not limited to financial resources.
Everything comes from God. First Samuel 2:7 acknowledges that all things come from God and it is His decision to make one poor or not. When we rely greatly on our own understanding, or on the tarot cards or on what some of my friends stake their future on, feng sui, unconsciously, we are influenced to take on a different kind of idolatry, one that competes with faith, and may, give temporal wealth but not sustaining and exponential riches.
A friend once commented on my columns content, “you’re getting religious†he said. I took a step back to read my writing, and mind you, I did not see myself there. I guess the guiding of my thoughts is a result of my tithing as well. For in spite of my effort to talk secular, or simply down to earth, my prose moves towards what is essential, and that is faith.
Perhaps, in this column God just wants to remind us that our business is really beyond the here and now, but true fruits of our investments must reach heaven.
Perhaps God is admonishing me too, to take heed of where I spend my time, and to guard my heart in its choices, for all I have is from Him and must honor Him. I have exponential wealth, in measures far greater than bank accounts, and in every treasurer from God, there is joy. (FREEMAN)