The Christian’s Economy with Yahweh-Jireh
The fact is that we come into the world with nothing, and we leave the world with nothing (1 Tim 6:7). In truth, nothing belongs to us, for God is the creator, the maker, and the owner of all things (Gen 1–2; Ps 24:1; Col 1:16; Heb 3:4; 11:10). We do have a stewardship entrusted to us by God, for which we must all give an account (2 Cor 5:10). How should we then live during the numbered days of our vaporous life upon the earth? In this short article, it will be my objective to highlight a few guiding economic truths from God’s Word.
As already noted, there is a day set for the audit of all that you did with your Master’s resources allocated to you. The reprobate sinner lives as a practical atheist in the matters of money, time, and material possessions. Every inclination of his heart is only selfish all the time; therefore, he will be guilty of every financial sin (e. g. covetousness, gambling (Prv 28:20), envy, greed, stealing, waste, fear, hoarding (Lk 12), pride, etc.).
The believer’s stewardship is one marked by investment in the kingdom of God (Mt 6:20). The Christian knows that His heavenly Father is the fountain source and the provisional river by which he or she prospers with earthly assets (1 Sam 2:7; 1 Chron 24:12; Prv 10:22; 22:2; Rom 11:36). It is not a sin for a Christian to be rich in money and possessions, but the test is what one does to invest the mammon of unrighteousness to further the kingdom of God (Lk 16:9).
Money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10), so the Christian steward must be prudent to invest wisely in that which is eternal. Only two things will survive God’s thorough judgment of the heavens and the earth coming soon (2 Pet 3:10–12). The first is the eternal Word and the second is the people we will spend eternity with, in our heavenly habitation of the new heavens and the new earth (IS 65–66; Rev 21–22).
The Christian’s pristine example for living a life that is pleasing to God is Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:9; Heb 11:6). The apostles, especially Paul, help us to follow our Lord’s example. The sojourner, walking toward the city to which he is called to live (Zion/heavenly Jerusalem), forever, is one picture of the Christian life.
The pilgrim is a man on the move. He travels light through this world because the journey is wearisome to those who are heavy-laden. The indwelling Spirit is the traveler’s guide, help, and comfort along the way. There is a promise that the sojourner will arrive at his destination, regardless of the obstacles. The reason for this hope is the irresistible grace of the One who called the prodigal child to come home.
Jesus Christ gave His all for His beloved, and the Apostle John’s encouragement is for us to follow Christ’s example, especially with the world’s goods (1 Jn 3:16–17). Supporting the saints, our fellow travelers, is our best investment because there are eternal rewards. Financial support of our brethren produces a type of equality here and now (2 Cor 8:13, 15). It is practical proof of our love for the brethren (2 Cor 8:8, 24).
Giving one’s life away in sacrifice for the benefit of others is evidence of God’s gracious work in the one who denies himself more of this world (Mt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23; Titus 2:12). The giver who understands his economy with Yahweh-Jireh is marked by his or her joy (2 Cor 9:7). Seeing the grace of God supply every need, and everything needed for every good work (2 Cor 9:8) — time and time again — removes the fear of abandonment. God’s economic promise is to never leave nor forsake His beloved (Heb 13:5).
It is a sin for a Christian to live in financial fear. Our heavenly Father is a good Father and a good provider. He obviously knows what His beloved children need before they have need of it. Still, the temptation to lust for more of the world is real (1 Jn 2:15–17); and therefore, the saint’s encouragement is to be content with what he has, whether abounding or being abased (Phil 4:10–12).
Giving thanks to God for His provision is wise and warranted (1 Thess 5:17–18). Our prayers, whether adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, or petition are acts of acknowledgment. The Christian is not ashamed of God, or the truth of God, as it is in Jesus (Rom 1:16; Jn 14:6; Eph 4:21). We know whom we have believed (2 Tim 1:12), and from whom we have received all things. The Lord is our provider (Yahweh-Jireh), and our Master, who is manifesting faithfulness in each of His adopted children (Rom 8:15, 23).
Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). It is the Spirit who directs our steps to the place of ministering our Master’s resources. The people of the world have observed that “time is money.” Their very definition of economics is the study of the distribution of scarce resources. The child of God has a different view to economics because of his doing theology, as we are doing here. Our eyes are on Jesus and our minds are set on things above (Col 3:2; Heb 12:2). The storehouse of heaven is infinitely abundant…and that changes everything.
In the covenant of grace, God has made promises to His chosen people. Some of those promises are economic in nature. God supplies, and we demand (need/ask). In God’s Word, we have enough principles and promises to know God’s will for our financial lives of faith in the Giver of every good and perfect gift (Jas 1:17). We cannot out-give the Giver of all good things!
For men to glorify our Father in heaven, they must know our love as a motive for giving (2 Cor 8:24). They must observe our faith in the Giver (Ezra 8:21–23), who we wish to credit for every good work of giving. We must show them that our hope is not in gaining more of this world. We must tell them why we are investing in the kingdom to come. Then, they will ask about the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15).
Christians are peculiar people because our identification is linked to the famous One, Jesus Christ. People of the world know there is something different about those who trust in Him, whose name is exalted above every other name (Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9). Unfortunately, for lack of knowledge and understanding, they see Christians as hypocrites. That changes when they see our good works, our generosity done in Jesus’ name. It is imperative that we boast in Jesus Christ, not ourselves (1 Cor 1:31). This is our Christian witness — words and works that point others to Christ, God’s indescribable gift (2 Cor 9:15), sent from the Father, in order to present Himself as the perfect offering on our behalf (Heb 7:27; 9:14).
Jesus gave His all, and now we acknowledge Him as our all-in-all because He is Lord of all (Acts 10:36). All of His promises to us are “Yes” and “Amen!” Therefore, let us pray for the indwelling Spirit, to cause us to act in response to His abounding grace toward us, to whom He has granted faith and hope. Entrusted with a little or a lot, may you be found faithful on the day of accounting, and may it be for you a day of great reward.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
May 15, 2022
