The Road to Financial Sufficiency In Christ: Introduction

I will be doing a study series on; The Road to Financial Sufficiency in Christ. This study was inspired by a message I received from someone bordering on Financial Prosperity for a Christian. I have known this person as a devoted Christian for at least 2 decades. Below is an extract of the message. To moderate the tone without losing the person’s main concern, the message was moderately paraphrased……

“I have been taught all my life that giving is the main way of financial gain and it is through this teaching that financial prosperity messages gained grounds. However, First Timothy 6 verse 5, seems to condemn the drive for financial gain. My understanding from this chapter is that Godly giving should be a lifestyle for Christians and done in contentment. The motive of being rich ought not be emphasized because a lot of people have wandered out of the faith trying without success to get rich through giving. Moreover this kind of teaching have also been widely taught as a way of getting out of poverty. This ought not to be so”.

So what does First Timothy 6:5-6 say?
… and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain” 1 Timothy 6:5-6. NKJV.

To give the right response to this question and from a biblical perspective, I embarked on a bible study exercise. It took me exactly 9 blogpost articles to provide a response that seemed satisfactory enough to me.

Are you a Christian?
Have you been a faithful giver?
Do you have similar concerns or questions as the one above? Are you interested in financial stewardship? Do you want to manage your finances God’s way? Are you wondering if giving leads to financial prosperity?

If you answer YES to any of the above questions, then this study series is for you.

Let’s start by looking at First Timothy 6:5…

Here are 2 key issues raised in the message I received:

1. Is giving the way to financial prosperity in Christianity?
2. Should the drive for financial prosperity through giving be encouraged or discouraged?

I am confident that these questions will be answered in the course of this study series.

Study Overview

I covered 9 key subtopics on biblical financial management in this series. You can start with the part that interests you most,

Part 1: The Road To Financial Sufficiency In Christ: Introduction

Part 2:The Purpose of Money from The Bible

Part 3 : We Have Been Delivered from Poverty. 

Part 4: Benefits of Being An Heir of the Father.

Part 5: Did Jesus Really Have Any Needs?  

Part 6: How Jesus Met Needs In The Bible.

Part 7: How Did Jesus Meet Needs?

Part 8: 5 Biblical Principles for Enjoying Financial Sufficiency In Christ.

Part 9: What Jesus Said About Money

Introduction

Let me just say that this is not the first time I have received or heard discussions of this sort on financial prosperity in Christianity. What is different about this one and why I have chosen to share on it is because this met me at a point when the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to start a study in this direction. My Pastor used to say that a fanatic is someone who is headed in the wrong direction, realizes that he is headed in the wrong direction but chooses to continue going in the wrong direction.

Have we been heading in the right/wrong direction as regards prospering financially in the Christendom? My personal response to this is that’ ‘I am truly interested in finding out for myself what the scripture really says about this‘ .

So join me on this Bible Study series as it promises to be revealing, illuminating, and liberating. I know this!

“The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple” Psalm 119:130 AMPC

Let me also say that I understand how sensitive sharing this sort of discourse can be for a lot of people and ministries. The aim is not to disproof anyone or prior teachings on financial prosperity in Christianity, but rather to explore holistically, as much as possible what the scriptures says about this. This is not a teaching on Biblical Prosperity! Relax, keep an open mind, I am simply sharing my study notes…?

If something is not working for someone the right thing to do is troubleshoot and find out why. We know that the Word of God is True, so probably there is something some persons are missing in their understanding of it. This is what this study is about- to shed the light of the Word of God in order that wisdom and revelation may flow to the simple-minded.

Now, let’s start by considering the purpose of money.

What is the Purpose of Money?

Economists would tell us that money serves 3 main functions:

1. It is a medium of exchange
2. It is a unit of account
3. It is a store of value

So money is used to intermediate the exchange of goods and services, as a standard unit of measurement of market value of goods, services and other transactions and as an acceptable store of value. Additionally, money is also seen as a standard of deferred payment (for settling debt) and as a measure of value.

We can therefore say that money is a tool for meeting immediate or future transactional needs. The futuristic relevance of money depends on its predictability as a medium of exchange when needed. Meaning that the value of stored money must be regularly re-evaluated to ascertain its usefulness.

Please join me next Friday as we look at “The Purpose of Money from the Bible”

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Blessings & Love Always

AboutGrace Obomanu

Grace obomanu is a Christian Blogger and Founder; 'Grace Obomanu Foundation'. Grace is an inspiring writer who intentionally projects the truth of God's word by sharing simple yet profound truths from the Bible. She writes with a revelational thrust, sharing wisdom, insights relatable to everyday living with particular emphasis on Victorious Christian Living. Her foundation, a non-profit trustee, continues to make impact, adding value to people's lives through outreaches, mentorship, bible teachings and counseling, partnerships. Grace has a diploma in Ministerial Training (with emphasis on Spiritual Leadership from Rhema Bible Training Center Nigeria. She trained as a medical doctor and has years of experience in Health Systems Management. She also holds a master's degree in Public Health from the University of Liverpool.