Money is an important issue in the Church. There is plenty in the Bible about possessions, money and the importance of giving and generosity. We didn’t want to ignore this important issue, and we have a few comments on it. We are also having a brief look at Christians involved in business. Furthermore, there is the opportunity of getting hold of a free legal confidentiality agreement for business ideas and propositions - right off our special web page. If you have any information for links or contacts for this area, or you have an article to submit, then please e-mail us. Mini-Article... Christians: Money, Giving and Business Money and Giving The Bible says a lot about giving, possessions and generosity. We feel that the Church in the Western world often does not take the issue of money and giving seriously. We feel that the more money and possessions that we have, the more responsibility we have to use it in a godly way. Among many scriptures, the Parable of the Talents could be used to support this idea (Luke 19:11-27). Also, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 contains a warning to the rich to be very generous in sharing what they have with others. Us in the rich world should not be greedy, but should remember the material needs of others. There is so much that we can do - the Campaigns section contains some comments on giving and other things that we can do to help the poor. It is also not merely an issue of simply giving money, we must give carefully. For example, in the case of Christian aid agencies, surely we should only (or at least mainly) give to those organisations that, along with practical help to those in need, also bring the essential message of the Gospel. As Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), we must love our neighbour - whoever we find who is in need. It is Biblical to give, but we should also be prepared to make sacrifices - financially and practically. “What, you mean go on holiday less, or buy a smaller house or something?” Well, maybe - it is obviously up to individuals and I am certainly not judging anyone. We all have individual responsibility. We can ask ourselves some important questions, if we have not done so already. How much do we Christians, those of us who are in relative terms rich in this world, help the poor Church? Not very much, usually. 1 Corinthians 16, verses 1-4 are useful verses that can be related to this issue. How about the “Health and Wealth Gospel”? This idea teaches that as Christians we should expect to be healthy and well-off. Can this conviction really be applied to Christians living in very poor countries, who have little chance of employment and face dire poverty? Are these ideas really Biblical? How about if you are really rich. You already give much away, but do you have a right to keep more of your money to yourself than others who have less? Please e-mail us your articles, letters and ideas. Please see the instructions on the “Mail/Links/Prayer” page; click here. Here are some challenging words from the Bible; “If I have denied the desires of the poor, or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless - but from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow - if I have seen anyone perishing through lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment, and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things.” Job 31:16-23 Business The world of business and finance is complex. As Christians, we should try to learn how to spend money and conduct business in an ethical way. By this, I mean avoiding buying products or running businesses which harm other people. Some companies might use cheap labour from abroad, where workers are forced to work long hours for poor pay. The middle man makes a lot of money, and we get cheaper products than we would if the rate of labour was fairer. Having made this point, at least such people are being unemployed, rather than remaining in total poverty. Although the whole area of ethical shopping and business can be complex, there are organisations and other sites which can provide resources and guidance. Please see the links and contacts on the Campaigns page. There should be no conflict, despite the attitude of some Christians, for a Christian to be involved in business and money generation. Businesses employ people, creating a good opportunity for a Christian employer to witness and share God through the way he conducts his business or company. Also, if he is a mature Christian, he will be motivated to invest much of his profits into Christian activities, funding Christian charities or ventures which further the Kingdom. It can be hard when you make money, perhaps a lot of money, and other Christians judge you. They might not know about all the ways that you are using your money, or planning to use your money. Although in general it is often good to keep our giving secret form others (as Matthew 6 advises), there may well be a place for sharing with others some of your giving actions in a situation such as this, at least in general terms. Otherwise, people will just assume you are keeping all of your money for yourself. A section below explains the inclusion in the site of a free legal confidentiality agreement for business ventures and propositions. If you are creative, and have the organisational and other abilities that you think would enable you to succeed in business, why not go for it? Having said this, if you are new to business, get as much advice as you can, and don’t risk too much. Don’t spend too much time or risk too much money on your idea, or you may regret it if it does not work out. It can often be very hard to predict if your business plan is good, and if you will be successful. You must do market research, and get expert advice where ever possible. Some comments accompany the confidentiality agreement, which carry guidance on the use of the document. Please e-mail us if you have anything to say on this whole subject. Articles would be particularly welcome if they are practical in orientation, possibly based on personal experience. They should also try to refer to Biblical teaching, explaining how God can be behind and use Christian businesses. Please click here to go to the Mail/Links/Prayer page, which has guidance on how to submit pieces to us. Christians: Money, Giving and Business: Archived Articles None so far! Please send some in! Get a Free Confidentiality Legal Agreement, on me! Click here to go to a copy of the agreement. You can copy and paste the text into a text editor, and then amend certain fields as appropriate and print it off. You will find basic guidance notes to the agreement at the end of that page. If you went to a solicitor, the document could cost you as much as £200! (UK), and even on the net, sites will be selling it for good money - so don’t waste your money! The document comes with my prayers that God would bless you in your plans to work for him and to bring money into his Kingdom purposes. Please make sure you read the instructions first, and don’t include the instructions, of course, when you print off the document for its use with an individual or company. We must make it clear that we can offer no guarantee that the agreement is perfect in its given form, or that it will fulfil your needs. It is to be used at your own risk and under your own responsibility. If in doubt, contact a solicitor (...at great expense, better to try to find a qualified friend or contact!). Contacts and Web Links The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity - www.licc.org.uk. National Debt Line (UK) - Tel. 0808 808 4000. Gamcare (for gamblers and those affected by the problem, UK) - Tel. 0845 600 0133. www.personal.u-net.com/~gaeia/ceig01.htm - Christian ethical investment. www.the-index.co.uk (Christian site with different areas, including business). [For articles about money and giving, please search the Christian sites listed in the Mail/Links/Prayer section, or click here. Please see “Charity links” in the Campaigns area on the side bar to the left, or click here. Practical Contacts: search the Web under specific business movements: “Princes Trust (UK), Companies House (UK), Trade Marks”, or even simple phrases like “business help”. |
