The Tribune

By Canon S Sebastian Campbell

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…..to preach deliverance to the captives…..to set at liberty them that are bruised." (Luke 4:18).

"But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).

After all this, many Christian lives are being destroyed because of the spirit of poverty. We have a role to play in reading, understanding and applying scripture. Jesus comes to liberate us from the yoke of bondage; He frees us. This is the only applicable understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ.

You do not have to be a genius to know that some people make money regardless of the condition of the economy or whether the market goes up or down. It always seems as though people who have the most money are getting even more money, while people who need money always are in need and crying. How do you apply Matthew 5:45 - when it rains, it rains on the just and unjust alike?

The better you manage your money, the more money comes your way. Conversely, if you don't manage your money properly, the funds that you do have will never be enough. They will be taken away from you. This principal is documented throughout the Bible. The most graphic is found in Matthew 25:28-30: "Take therefore the talent (money) from him, and give it unto him which hath 10 talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

The one who documented through past actions that he knew how to get the best return was given that which was taken away from the one who had the least. It is what we do with what we have that get's God's attention.

The rich get richer because they understand the fundamental principles that govern the building of wealth, and they manage these principles in their favour. On the other hand, the poor are getting poorer because they do not understand how to properly manage the resources they have.

Many Christians are trapped in economic bondage because of wrong attitudes. They are waiting for God to perform a miracle to turn their finances around when the means are already in their reach.

God has already made the provisions for us. Two brothers, born and raised in the same home, have the same opportunities afforded by life. One turns out to be a successful businessman, owning estates and millions in the bank. Out of his abundance he donates to charity. The other is always broke. He is a beggar man. He is always bad-mouthing his brother, calling him crooked and unjust. He accuses his brother of many unpleasantries. The beggar man brother is always pleading "Gimme, gimme……" He believes the world owes him something.

Too many of our own people are represented by the beggar man. We think we don't have control of our financial destiny; we don't properly take care of that one talent and learn to invest and be patient in its growth. We have, in essence, locked God out of working in our financial circumstances.

Let us close out by examining some myths of our religious traditions. These myths might have programmed us to have the wrong attitudes about money. See if you can identify with any of these fables:

1. "Money is the root of all evil."

2. If a person has money, he or she must be stealing from someone, or be involved in drugs, prostitution, et cetera.

3. Poverty is a sign of spirituality. God took away all of Job's possessions, therefore we must be like Job.

4. Jesus had no where to lay his head (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was poor, so we must be poor too.

5. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to go to heaven (Matthew 19:24). Therefore you can't have wealth on earth and expect to go to heaven.

6. All preachers want to do is get your money. The church should only function as a place of worship and it should stay clear of money.

7. God answers prayers; therefore if you really trust in Jesus, He will meet all your financial needs.

8. Jesus was interested only in spiritual things, not material possessions.

9. You should not lay up treasures for yourself on earth (Matthew 6:19).

10. Once you tithe, God will take care of all your needs, even if you don't follow the other principles that govern the Christian life.

At the core of every myth is a distorted Christian principle, because of misinformation. Once a fable grips the heart it robs you of truth and blessings. As a result of these misrepresentations, many Christians don't feel comfortable even talking about money.

Know your Bible and you will discover that God has outlined principles to have us avoid the typical scenarios that hold us hostage. We can take the struggle out of finances and liberate ourselves in God's freedom to achieve all he has in store for every single one of us.