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Making and Using Money
B.C. Goodpasture*
The Bible has much to say about the honest production
and proper use of material resources. It recognizes and regulates
the relation between the production and the distribution and use
of wealth. It is axiomatic that those who contribute to the making
of money should share in the enjoyment of it.
There are two obligations that are naturally attached
to the making and use of money: it should be made honestly: and
it should be used rightly.
It should be obtained honestly. “Providing
for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in
the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21). Those who have come
into possession of money dishonestly sooner or later will pay for
their dishonesty. The covetous Gehazi, by lying, obtained silver
and raiment from Naaman; but “he went out from his presence
a leper as white as snow” (2 Kings 5:20-27). Judas betrayed
his Lord for 30 pieces of money; but his heart was so tortured by
the fires of remorse that he returned the price of his treachery
with the awful confession, “I have betrayed the innocent blood”
(Matthew 27:4). The rich men of James 5 had filled their coffers
with the toil of their underpaid, or unpaid, laborers and the terrible
consequences of their sins were upon them. But it is not enough
to obtain money in the right manner.
The rich men to whom, and about whom, Jesus spoke
(Luke 12,16,18), so far as we know, came into the possession of
their wealth by no fraudulent means. They may have inherited it;
they may have married it; they may have received it as a gift; or
they may have earned it. The rich young ruler is not charged with
dishonesty. The rich farmer of Luke 12 and the rich man of Luke
16 are above reproach so far as the manner of obtaining their riches
is concerned. The way they made their money is not the point primarily
under consideration. It is not enough to obtain money honestly.
Having obtained resources honestly there remains the solemn obligations
to use them properly. The three rich men in question made their
grave mistake, not in the manner they obtained their wealth, but
in the way they used it.
There are three factors which contribute to the
making of money, regardless of the amount. First, the person who
immediately has the money contributes his part. This has been true
from the beginning. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
bread” (Genesis 3:19). “If any will not work, neither
let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). “The labourer is
worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). It is his duty to produce
and his privilege to enjoy the fruit of his labors. Second, society
contributes its part.
A man with no contact with society is incapable
of making money in the usual sense of the term. If Robinson Crusoe
had remained a thousand years on his fabled island, with no contact
with the outside world, he could not have produced any wealth. Third,
God contributes His part. His is the largest part. “But thou
shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power
to get wealth” (Deut. 8:18). He is the one in whom we live
and have our being, the giver of every good and perfect gift. His
blessing makes one rich (Proverbs 10:22). If all three factors contribute
to the making of resources, and they do, should they not be considered
in the distribution and use of them? If three men in business make
a legitimate profit, each has a right to his respective part of
it. No one of the three has the right to take all that has been
made.
It is significant that the three rich men under
consideration failed at this point. May it not suggest that the
greater danger lurks in the use of, rather than in the making of
resources? The rich farmer would pull down his barns and build greater,
and there bestow all his grain and goods and say to his soul that
it had much goods laid up for many days. In his plan neither society
nor God was considered for his wealth. Another of the rich men was
clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
He was not interested in God nor his fellow man in the use of his
resources. Seemingly the desire of Lazarus to be fed of the crumbs
which fell from this rich man’s table was not granted. It
was nothing to him if Lazarus, sore-covered and dog-licked, died
of hunger and exposure at his gate. For God and His cause he had
not thought nor gift. The rich young ruler kept, for a brief time,
his wealth while the cry of the needy was unheard and the voice
of the Lord was disobeyed. These made their fatal mistake in the
use of their money. What a lesson for us — what a warning
to us! Brother, what are you doing to help the poor and to preach
the Gospel? Will the Lord be pleased with the use you are making
of your money?
“Charge them...that they do good, that they
be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing
to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”
(1 Timothy 6:17-18).
*Deceased
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