Our Lord Jesus summarises the law of God as, love God and people (Matt 22:37-39). More precisely, our goal in life is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt 22:37). Everything we do must be out of love for God. If we do something that is not out of love for God, that is wrong. This is the meaning of “love the Lord . . . with all your heart.” But how do we love God? Answer: by loving people. This principle guides our use of every cent. Money must be properly distributed among various responsibilities. But remember, we must be very clear in our hearts that whatever we do for people must be for our Lord. Christians have several responsibilities.
First, we begin with the things of God. Jesus gave us his life. Hence, with grateful hearts we give our tithes/offerings. Every month, we set aside 10% of our salary/allowance to give to God’s church: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house . . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Mal. 3:10). This shows our love for God and people. Your tithe supports Christians who serve God full-time (e.g., the church pastor and church administrator). Like you, they need to eat and support their family. The Bible says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (Deut 25:4). Your tithe also supports gospel work. Then people can hear the gospel and receive eternal life. Your tithe supports the paying of electricity bills, the refreshments you eat on Sunday, property tax and management fees of church premises, etc., so that God’s people can come to church and be helped. We also need to save for the church building fund as we have to pay for new premises about 24 years later.
Second, you are responsible to study hard, find a job and feed your parents. “But my parents,” you say, “do not need my money.” Whether or not your parents need your money to survive, you have a responsibility to care for them. Every month, you should give a part of your salary to your parents. You must help out in the family.
Third, the next few years will be difficult financially due to inflation and a rise in GST. For those who are still in housing debts, you may face high interest rates. The government has alerted us to the possibility of a technical recession. In these difficult times, we should be ready to help our fellow Christians in the event of retrenchment, sickness, or difficulties in coping with basic needs. Paul urges the Christians, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6:10).
In the same chapter Paul also reminds us that “each one should carry our own load” (Gal 6:5). As Joseph once advised Pharoah to save grain during the seven years of good harvest to prepare for seven years of famine, let’s save and be frugal. Two days ago, the Monetary Authority of Singapore wisely urges us saying, “households should be prudent, especially when committing to large financial obligations such as mortgage loans.” Let us continue to trust God to provide (Matt 6:33). At the same time, we should also use the money God has given us responsibly to love God by loving people.