SeedTime

SeedTime Money (Christian Personal Finance)

Adam Simon

Want to Get Rich Quick? The Bible has something to say about that

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Want to get Rich Quick? The Bible has something to say about thatGo ahead, admit it. You’ve thought about playing the lottery before. Maybe you’ve even played it during one of those $300+ million jackpot frenzies. Or perhaps you are a regular customer of the game.

No matter the frequency of your playing habits (or lack thereof), at some point many of us have thought about what it would be like to come into millions of dollars instantly or unexpectedly. Even if it was just a dollar, what drives and excites us somewhere deep down is the hope and possibility that maybe this time we just might win.

Gambling is a Slippery Slope!

To be perfectly honest, the above description hits really close to home for me. I come from a pretty long line of “addictive personalities,” with gambling (among others) being the addiction of choice and I know all too well what it feels like to want to get rich quick.

When I was 19, I worked at a restaurant waiting tables and I’ll never forget the night that God showed me how slippery that slope could be. I made $70 during my shift and, while driving home, I stopped at a gas station and went inside to get something to drink.

As I got to the counter, the roll of instant scratch-off lottery tickets caught my eye. One in particular cost $10 and boasted high odds of winning – how could I resist? A rush of endorphins and excitement flooded over me as I laid down $10 and scratched off the first ticket. I didn’t win, so I scratched off another one . . . with the same result. Now I was $20 down, but that was a small price to pay knowing that the $100,000 prize within reach. So I scratched a third, then a fourth, and finally a fifth ticket.

By the time I was done, I ended up wasting $50 before a sick feeling in my stomach told me that I just blew nearly every dollar that I made that night. I worked eight hours for something that only lasted three minutes. It was all because of a feeling inside . . . a compulsion to satisfy the need to win and the “hope” that I might be rich because of it.

Because of my heart’s desire for instant riches, I had deceived myself into absolutely believing that I was going to win. In my state, the odds to win the lottery’s jackpot are 1 in 175,711,536. Like Jim Carrey’s famous quote in the movie Dumb and Dumber, the drive to win had me boldly exclaiming against insurmountable odds: “So you’re saying there’s a chance!”

It’s ridiculous, but statistics show that there are millions of people that feel the same way. Week after week, countless numbers of people spend their hard-earned money trying to find ways to become overnight millionaires, chasing after something that many feel would be the solution to all of their problems.

Lesson Learned: Stay Away from Get Rich Quick

As a follower of Christ, it’s pretty obvious that the choice to waste my money on lottery tickets that night wasn’t the brightest idea I’ve ever had. Although it was a relatively “cheap” lesson to learn in the grand scheme of things, it taught me one thing: I need to stay away from all attempts to get rich quick. I selfishly wasted what God had blessed me with in the pursuit of what I thought would satisfy me at the time.

What the Bible Says

So what does the Bible say? Does God condone anywhere that we should have that mentality or that it’s even okay? Are there any places in Scripture where God reveals His heart on the topic of getting rich quick and the drive to accumulate massive amounts of wealth over a very short period of time from things such as playing the lottery, entering a sweepstakes, or joining any venture that promises lots of money with little or no work or time invested?

The answer is yes and, as we will see, the root of the issue lies within the attitude and motivation of our hearts.

1. Proverbs 12:11

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. – Proverbs 12:11 NIV

Contrasted here are two types of people: those who work hard and those who follow “chase fantasies” (i.e. – get rich quick schemes, dishonest gain, etc..). One earns their money by diligently working with what God has entrusted to them. The other is void of understanding and will do whatever it takes to get things the quick and easy way. The latter, in contrast to the former, will end up hungry and become a burden on others because of their worthless pursuits. A very similar verse to this is found in Proverbs 28:19-20.

2. Proverbs 13:11

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. – Proverbs 13:11 ESV

The ESV Study Bible describes this verse perfectly. It says, “The person who receives sudden wealth has not worked for it enough to understand its value and has not gained sufficient skill in managing it. By contrast, Proverbs prefers diligent, patient, careful labor that will increase wealth over time.”

3. Proverbs 20:21

An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. – Proverbs 20:21 NIV

The principle here is that too much wealth gathered too quickly may be spent too soon. This could be from an early inheritance that was gained by asking for it or by dishonest means. Either way, it was not gained in the proper way, which can lead to reckless spending and mishandling due to irresponsibility.

4. Proverbs 23:4-5

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. – Proverbs 23:4-5 NIV

Wealth is fleeting. Be wise enough to know when enough is enough in regards to how many hours you spend working to build it. Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Spend your time on what matters most rather than chasing after money, which flies away very quickly.

5. Ecclesiastes 5:10

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

For those who seek after riches and gaining them quickly, their appetite will never be satisfied. The root of these desires is greed and the pursuit for more will never end. The cure for this type of heart condition is contentment in what you have and what you have worked for.

6. 1 Timothy 6:9

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. – 1 Timothy 6:9 NIV

Insert my story here. Behind my journey into the scratch-off world was the desire to be rich and it led to my falling into the temptation to spend anything at that moment to get what I wanted. Note that this verse is not condemning being rich, rather it details the desire and pursuit of such, which can steer your heart in directions you may never have thought possible.

It’s safe to say that this list of Bible verses is not exhaustive and there are certainly many more that speak on the topic of money. These particular verses focus on the pursuit of riches, getting rich quick, and the desire to be rich beyond imagination.

One of my favorite verses on the attitude of our hearts toward getting rich quickly comes from Jesus in the gospel of Matthew. He says:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Simply put, your heart follows your treasure, not the other way around. So, how do we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven? What can we invest in that will last for eternity or have an eternal impact?

The answer is obvious and it is not money. The answer is people.

The people around us are life’s greatest investments (neighbors, family members, kids, spouses, coworkers, and others). Here are three simple questions you can ask yourself to help reveal how you’re doing on this one:

  1. What (or whom) are you invested in?
  2. What (or whom) do you make time for?
  3. What do you spend your money on?

The simple truth is that, one day, we will all have to liquidate our assets anyway! So we might as well release them to the One who gave us those resources in the first place. It doesn’t mean that we don’t plan . . . it just means that we live intentional lives of purpose focused and directed on building up people, not pocketbooks. Instead of trying to get rich, let’s seek to invest our lives in others by being rich . . . in love and generosity toward God and others!

Have you ever tried to get rich quick or know anyone who has? How did it turn out? Meet me in the comments and share your thoughts!

How to Say “Thank You” to a Pastor: 20 Great Ways

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If someone were to ask what is the toughest job in the world, what answer would you give them?

Right away, one can find several of the most common answers that we would think of.  Firefighter, police officer, crab fisherman (thank you, “Deadliest Catch”), or oil rig worker, for instance, tops the list.

20 ways to say thank you to your pastor!

The Toughest Vocation of All

What if I suggested a vocation that may be as tough – if not tougher – than the list above?  The job that I’m referring to is that of a pastor.

Really, a pastor?  Absolutely!  I would imagine that after making such a bold assertion, the average reaction that I would get might be scoffing, and possibly even laughter.  However, this is one profession that is just as tough and as messy as the jobs listed above, and the number one reason why is because it involves dealing with the toughest, yet most priceless, product of all: people.

(Related: What vocation are you interested in? Here are some jobs of the future.)

What Do Pastors Deal With?

In the April 2008 edition of Willow Magazine, Christian researcher George Barna and his team published some staggering statistics that peeled back the veil of the minds and hearts of many pastors.  It asked them to honestly and objectively answer questions dealing with many of the toughest issues that they face.  Obviously, the results generated are merely black and white facts on a page.

As you read each statistic, allow yourself the freedom to think about your own pastor or anyone in your life that you know who may have affected your life in some way, big or small, by remaining faithful to the ministry to which God has called them to.  In fact, maybe for the first time ever, put yourself in their place as you read what they have revealed.  You might just find the following data hitting uncomfortably close to home:

  • 1500 pastors leave the ministry every month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or conflict in their church.
  • 90% of pastors work more than 46 hours per week.
  • 81% suffer marriage problems due to insufficient time with their wives.
  • 80% of seminary and Bible college graduates will leave ministry within the first 5 years;
  • 80% of pastors believe their ministry affected their families negatively;
  • 70% of pastors don’t have someone whom they consider a close friend – someone they can confide in.
  • 60% of pastors’ wives hold full-time jobs or are involved in careers to meet family needs.
  • 50% of pastors would leave if they believed they could make a living doing something else.
  • 33% believed ministry was a hazard to their family.

In the face of all of these statistics, the question that begs to be asked is, “Why would anyone enter into a vocation with so much adversity against them from the start?”

The answer is clear: it’s their calling.  It’s their passion.  Seeing lives changed because of Jesus Christ’s redeeming work on the Cross drives them to persevere another day.   And at night, most pastors don’t lay their head on their pillows and ask themselves, “Was today too difficult?”  Instead they ask, “Was it worth it . . . was one more life changed today?”  The resounding “yes” is what keeps them going.  Although some may classify it as a tough, thankless job, most pastors would undeniably admit that it is definitely the most rewarding.

So, with over 450,000 churches throughout the United States alone, one question remains: how do you adequately say “thank you” to someone who gives so much of themselves, laying aside their own lives for the sake of serving and caring for the spiritual health of others?  Depending on the level of forethought and creativity, there are many ways to thank a pastor!

Before diving into the list below, take a few minutes to watch this video that talks about an awesome new movement called Bless Your Pastor – I pray it encourages you!

20 Ways To Thank Your Pastor

  1. Simply Say “Thank You” – While blatantly obvious, sometimes weeks go by for a pastor without someone verbally saying thank you.
  2. Provide a Vacation – Without a doubt, there is one thing that every single pastor absolutely needs no matter who they are: rest.  Whether this is a dubbed a vacation, trip, or sabbatical, all of the above allow for your pastor to break away from life for a set amount of time for the purpose of rest, relaxation, and recovery.  Consequently, this period usually serves to restore fresh passion and vision as well, decreasing the likelihood of pastoral “burnout.”
  3. Handwritten Notes – These are always special to receive, especially if you highlight something that “struck you” from a recent message or sermon.
  4. Photo Book – This is an inexpensive way to show your appreciation by gathering photos and notes from members that showcase special moments in the history of your church.
  5. Prayer – This may not seem like much of a thank you, but there is no greater way to support your pastor and encourage or appreciate them than forming a prayer group that prays regularly for him and his family.  This can also be done as a group during a prayer meeting/breakfast or a special night of prayer involving the entire congregation.
  6. Gift Certificates – This can range anywhere from restaurants to bookstores to movie tickets.  The possibilities are endless and the pastor usually gets to include his wife on this one as an added bonus!
  7. Lawn Care – This is a unique gift where you can arrange for free lawn care, whether you do it yourself or arrange to pay a service to do it.
  8. Special Acts of Service – You can ask families in the church to do something creative or special, such as provide a meal with dessert, wash their cars, etc . . . 
  9. Remember Special Dates – Everyone, no matter who they are, loves to be appreciated.  Show your pastor how much you love him by remembering special anniversaries, such as his birthday, the date that he came to this church, or his wedding anniversary.
  10. Lessons/Gifts For a Hobby – Many pastors love to golf.  Some like to read while others like to fish. No matter what their hobby is, you can always find a way to appreciate him by paying for lessons or going along with him to “play” and not talk about church!
  11. Plant a Tree – This is a great way to say thank you in honor of your pastor.
  12. Video Interview – Be creative!  You can record video interviews from members of the church sharing how they have been blessed by his ministry to them.
  13. Cards/Crafts – Ask members of the church to send cards or gifts that they’ve made to his home.  Remember to include the pastor’s wife and her supportive role!
  14. Special Service – Hold a special celebration service to pray and thank God for the lives of your pastors and their families.
  15. Kid’s “Thank You’s” – Have the kids design and create posters with their handprints/footprints and hang them around the church.
  16. Money – Many pastors take a pay cut to serve in this role.  The gift of money, given by members during a special appreciation event, can help to pay for car repairs or any other financial burdens that are unexpected.
  17. Gym/Health Club Membership – This is always a great investment for your pastor!
  18. Free Repairs – Organize a group that is willing to say thanks by helping the pastor take care of any repairs around the church or their personal home or car.
  19. Child Care – If your pastor is younger, you can offer to say thank you by helping to watch their children while they have a night out or go to a Bed and Breakfast for the weekend.
  20. Thank the Pastor’s Wife – Remember the statistic: 60% of pastor’s wives work full time to support the home.  Thanking your pastor’s wife for all that she does to support her husband and God’s church can be an incredible lift to her spirit and, consequently, your pastor’s spirit as well.

Although the list above is not exhaustive, it’s a great start to some innovative ways to thank your pastor!  My personal favorites include any ideas that help the pastor to get time away in order to get refreshed and refocused and also any ideas that show sincere appreciation to the pastor’s wife.

Do you have another creative way to say “thank you?”  Meet me right now in the comment section by sharing any additional ideas and insights that you have for thanking our pastors!