In the book of Job , God states, «Whatever is under the whole heaven is .» And God is still more precise when He says, in the book of the prophet Haggai , «The is Mine, and the is Mine.»
The Bible says that we owe all the wealth that we may gain throughout our life to:
our relentless work.
chance.
the generosity of our friends.
God.
In His parables, Jesus often talked about material riches. According to Jesus’ words, what is our position toward these material goods?
We are «stewards, administrators».
We are «owners, possessors».
We are «thieves, plunderers».
We are «heirs».
God has established a precise financial plan for us. By taking part in this plan, we express our gratitude for all His blessings. The book of Malachi explains what is the first part of God’s financial plan: «Bring you all the into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My .»
God asks us to return to Him the tithe of our income. Now, the tithe represents:
100% of our income.
10% of our income.
1% of our income.
a variable percentage, according to our generosity.
What is the tithe used for? The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians answers, «Do you not know that they which minister about things live of the things of the ? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the should live of the .»
The second part of God’s financial plan is the gift of free-will offerings. These offerings represent:
100% of our income.
10% of our income.
1% of our income.
a variable amount, according to our generosity and prosperity.
In the Gospel according to Mark , Jesus comments upon the small offering of the poor widow, saying, «Truly I say to you that this poor widow has cast in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their , but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her .» God thus appreciates the worth of our offering according to our wealth.
The Word of God often warns us against selfishness and the love of money. Among the following warnings, please indicate those which are really written in the Bible (check off all the right answers):
«The love of money is the root of all evil.»
«A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.»
«You cannot serve God and mammon.»
«Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.»
Finally, in the book of Malachi , God gives us this wonderful promise, encouraging us to faithfully take part in His financial plan: «Bring you all the into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house, and Me now herewith, said the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the of heaven, and pour you out a , that there shall not be room enough to receive it.»