Comments on: Money Matters

By: sligh

sligh — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 03:11:16 +0000

Mazak–a man of extraordinary wit and awe-inspiring preaching ability.

By: jen d

jen d — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 14:05:44 +0000

Thanks for the thoughts on that Paul. I still vividly remember when Mazak pulled that verse together for me and blew it wide open so that it finally made sense and didn’t sound like a bad cliche (I mean, when someone’s house burns down on Christmas Eve and her husband dies of a heartattack because they had no insurance, and he was the breadwinner and they, of course, had no life insurance, either, and her kids won’t speak to nor help her because they are all too busy dealing crack cocaine in Miami so they can raise all of their illigitimate children, and then her one friend, her cat, runs under the wheel of a semi, and you come alongside and say, “Well, you know, all things work together for good…,” it can ring a little hollow, right? Something like, “Keep you chin up!” or “Every cloud has a silver lining…!”) Mazak pointed out, though, that the “good” of verse 28 is revealed in the following verse: the good is guaranteed, first of all, to those who love God, having been called according to His purpose which is in verse 29 referred to as being “conformed to the image of His Son,” the Suffering Savior Himself. That said, I completely agree, and appreciate your comments :)

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:07:12 +0000

First, congrats on an amazing electricity bill. I’ve had those nightmare bill dreams too. Unfortunately, in a very real sense, I have had to write the associated nightmare check! :-| Anyway, after reading the blog, I felt compelled to post.

Here’s why. The scripture posts are right on “the money.” In addition, I have found Romans 8:28 applicable to my worry problem. As a consultant, I always find it useful to ask one question for any shiny, new business proposal being presented: “What’s the downside to this proposal? What is the worst case scenario?”

God answers these 2 questions for any situation in our lives in Romans 8:28 – if we love Him, everything ends up working together for good. Now God’s idea of good may not meet our’s because it is hard to recognize personal hardship as “good.” However, when God promises that good will result, we can bank on it.

So bringing the focus back to worry, let’s identify the worst case scenario. I think we can agree that at the bottom of our financial worries is the thought that we will end up bankrupt, unable to pay the bills, out on the street, hungry, wearing dirty plaid patterns.

Ok, so that’s the downside.Well, what happens the day after financial bankruptcy? Is God no longer God? Have His promises failed? Is bankruptcy itemized in the exception clause for Romans 8:28?

Of course not! If, after managing our funds as faithful stewards for God, we end up financially bankrupt, God promises to use our financial hardship to result in good. Now that is a “downside” that I am willing to expose myself to. As far as the associated “upside,” I thinkt the other scripture posts address that issue.

Anyway, glad to see your response to these situations. Identify the sin, respond Biblically. Great approach.

By: jen d

jen d — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:56:10 +0000

Well, praise God that we’ve both been spared a rough wallopping, so far… Many of my friends worry about money; I’ll try and remember you and Josh (and your puppy)in my prayers. Really, I know that my “struggles” are so minute compared to other Christians.’ Still, I’m continually encouraged by the reality that one cannot fail when serving God, and that He never expects us to fend for ourselves, so to speak, when in His service. My Pastor reminded me recently that “the Lord’s got plenty of money.” He meant, “Don’t let a fear of the current Bostonian cost of living stop you from ministering here.” It’s a good, simple reminder for all of us :o)

And, no, I haven’t QUITE resorted to candle light yet (for work purposes, anyway–I am fond of lighting them, particularly my gargantuan cinnamon apple jar candle from Yankee); I just live in a very small little place and am neurotic about switching off lights! I was pleasantly surprised by the bill, though!

By: hew

hew — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:35:27 +0000

and i must say that a $16.31 electricity bill is incredible – do you work by candlelight??? :)

By: hew

hew — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:34:35 +0000

jen, i have actually been thinking about this passage throughout my afternoon. although my dwelling on this passage is for a completely different reason (has to do with our little puppy), your post hit me right in the eyes. i’ve also been struggling today with worrying about our finances. Christmas is coming, large bills wait to be paid, med school loans have run out for this semester and don’t kick in till sometime in january, possibly losing my job next year…and i don’t say all that to gather lots of sympathy for josh and me, but rather to let you know that you are not alone in your struggle, but what a blessing to have Christ who is greater than any bill and is able to supply abundantly as these passages point out. thank you for the gentle spanking! :) i’m afraid, though, that i will need spanked many more times before i learn this lesson. shame on me!