There is a famous Hokkien song “ji pa ban” (If I have 1 million).“Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa beh je puey kee, Wa beh ew seh kai ...”
(If I have got 1 million, I wanna sit on a plane, I wanna explore the world)
Sometimes, I will sing with my colleague in our cube “Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa mai zhou OT, eng eng bien cho kang …”
(If I have got 1 million, I don’t work OT, easy easy no need to work)
One of my dreams is to be financial freedom. I don’t have to work yet have good income. In fact, many people share the same dream. We all need money to pay rent, eat, and provide clothing. Sometimes, we secretly envy the rich. Money cannot solve all problems but money can solve majority of the problems.
The Bible never suggests that it is a sin to be rich. On the contrary, some great men of faith have been among the wealthiest people of their day—men like Job and Abraham. It was the Lord Himself who gave these men riches and possessions.
Let’s discover the secrets have been hidden in the pages of bible.
1. Money or possession itself is not evil. God blessed Abraham or Job with possession. The key is what is your attitude towards the money?
I Timothy 6:10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
2. Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. These are talking about the attitude. Too often, rich people make wealth their number one priority instead of God. Money becomes their idol.
Micah 3:11. Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.”
I Timothy 6:9. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
James 4:1-2. "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you? You want what you don't have, so you kill to get it. You long for what others have, and can't afford it, so you start a fight to take it away from them."
3. The love of money is not from God. We can only have one master. We cannot serve money and God.
I John 2:16. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
4. You will not be fulfilled even if you have money
Ecclesiastes 5:10He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
5. How should we look at money or riches?
• Be content with what you have. Example: Paul
o Hebrews 13:5:5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.
o I Timothy 6:6-8. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
o Philippians 4:12-13. "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."
• Seek for the treasure in heaven that does not fail
• Honor Lord with your wealth
o Proverbs 3:9. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce;
• Set not your heart upon the riches. Put your hope in God
o Psalms 62:10Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
o I Timothy 6:17-19. "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
It’s time to stop comparing houses, cars, clothes, and bank accounts. It’s time to stop feeling inadequate because we don’t own the outward symbols of success. If we put God first, He will take care of all our needs (basic needs). Matthew 6:33. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
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