Integrity with Finances
I know two men who work for a nonprofit organization. Both travel on expense accounts. One lives as a friend of God; the other does not. Circumstances are the same for both, but their responses to those circumstances are opposite. This is how the difference shows:
"Go ahead and order the steak."
"But I don't eat like this at home; I can't afford it."
"You're not at home; it's going on your expense account."
"No."
"You work hard; you've earned it."
"I'm paid to work hard. I am not paid to exploit."
When those two men started their work, both had strong convictions about the high calling of their vocations. They felt a sense of mission in a worthwhile organization, one that helped people in need. They kept costs down so that the money could be used as the donors expected it to be used. But then they began to notice that others in their group weren't so fussy. After a while it became easier for one of those men to change from a high view of commitment to the rationalization, "You won't be appreciated any more if you don't take." Even worse, he gave in to the charge, "You make the rest of us look bad when we turn in our expenses."
. . . But the other man won't bend. . .He just goes on, one day at a time, trying to do what is expected of him by God. And usually that's all we have to go on as we try to be a friend of God. What others say cannot be the measure of what is ethical, moral, or right, even if it is legal. The view of the majority is not necessarily the view of God.
-From Enjoying the Closeness of God by Roger Palms; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado
Take a minute to look through your checkbook. How do you spend your money? Where does extra money go - eating out, golf, movies? Over the next month, skip one of these extras and give the money you save to a Christian ministry.
When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed. Luke 12:43
"It is very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Luke 18:24-25
"Go ahead and order the steak."
"But I don't eat like this at home; I can't afford it."
"You're not at home; it's going on your expense account."
"No."
"You work hard; you've earned it."
"I'm paid to work hard. I am not paid to exploit."
When those two men started their work, both had strong convictions about the high calling of their vocations. They felt a sense of mission in a worthwhile organization, one that helped people in need. They kept costs down so that the money could be used as the donors expected it to be used. But then they began to notice that others in their group weren't so fussy. After a while it became easier for one of those men to change from a high view of commitment to the rationalization, "You won't be appreciated any more if you don't take." Even worse, he gave in to the charge, "You make the rest of us look bad when we turn in our expenses."
. . . But the other man won't bend. . .He just goes on, one day at a time, trying to do what is expected of him by God. And usually that's all we have to go on as we try to be a friend of God. What others say cannot be the measure of what is ethical, moral, or right, even if it is legal. The view of the majority is not necessarily the view of God.
-From Enjoying the Closeness of God by Roger Palms; part of The Inspirational Study Bible: New Century Version by Max Lucado
Take a minute to look through your checkbook. How do you spend your money? Where does extra money go - eating out, golf, movies? Over the next month, skip one of these extras and give the money you save to a Christian ministry.
When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed. Luke 12:43
"It is very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Luke 18:24-25
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