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Many investors grapple with the notion that money is inherently evil and that poverty is synonymous with piety, believing that the less money they possess, the more righteous they are.
However, if you’re reading this, it’s likely you don’t subscribe to that belief. Instead, you follow the teachings of A.B. Ridgeway, known as Mr. Christian Finance and a trusted Christian Financial Advisor, who, with over a decade of experience and as a Certified Private Wealth Advisor®️ Professional, is here to help you navigate your retirement questions and ensure you can be both rich and righteous.
In today’s blog, we will delve into a Bible study, exploring retirement planning, savings, and even current events from a biblical perspective.
While we typically discuss the technical aspects of 401(k)s, their contributions, withdrawals, and tax implications during the week, today we’ll focus on the spiritual side of finances.
After all, when it comes to salvation and money, it’s not what you do, but how you do it.
The Spiritual Perspective on Money
From a young age, many of us are taught in Sunday school that actions are judged by intention. This principle applies to our finances as well.
It’s not about how much money we make, but how we make it. It’s not about how much we give, but why we gave it in the first place.
Today, we’ll discuss how to be content with the gains we make in the stock market, grounding our discussion in Scripture, specifically Hebrews 13:5-6:
“Keep 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.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
It’s crucial to examine the context of this scripture. Hebrews 13 focuses on how to live a spiritual life. The verses leading up to our focal passage emphasize brotherly love, hospitality, empathy for the imprisoned and mistreated, and the sanctity of marriage.
This context sets the stage for understanding the role of contentment in our lives.
The Misinterpretation of Money in Scripture
You may be familiar with the verse from 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." This verse is one of the most misquoted scriptures about money, often used to suggest that money itself is evil.
However, it’s essential to understand that the Bible contains roughly 2,300 verses about money, discussing how to use it, how to think about it, and how to give it.
So without knowing the other scriptures. It is hard to get a full understanding of what God means when addressing money, and money issues.
Did you know that money is the second most referenced topic in the Bible, only behind salvation and the Kingdom of God?
This emphasis highlights the importance of money in our spiritual lives. It’s not that money is evil; rather, it’s the love of money that leads to evil. Money itself is neutral—it’s merely a tool. The issue lies in how we use it and the intentions behind our actions.
Why the Love of Money is Dangerous
So, why is the love of money so dangerous?
It took me some time to fully grasp this concept.
Initially, I thought it was because people used money for evil purposes, leading to pain, family separation, debt, and other problems. However, I realized that the issue goes beyond these earthly consequences. The real danger is spiritual: God wants us to love Him, not His creations.
We must not confuse the Creator with His creations.
All our love should be directed toward the Creator.
The first commandment in the Bible is that we should have no other gods before Him. We should not associate any partners with God or give credit to things other than God.
When we love money or the material things it can buy, we risk placing these things above God, which is idolatry.
The Role of Gratitude and Acknowledgment
Recently, I reconnected with Dr. Alan Rowe, the owner of UCAN, a nonprofit college prep organization that helps kids get into college.
Over 21 years ago, Dr. Rowe helped me—a kid from Del Paso Heights, Sacramento, CA—get into college, setting me on the path to becoming the owner of A.B. Ridgeway Wealth Management, a Christian investment firm.
During our conversation, I made sure to sincerely acknowledge his impact on my life and the lives of many others.
But remember, there is a significant difference between praising someone and acknowledging their work.
I feel it is very important that we recognize the people and things that are in our lives, but we can't take it as far as praising those things as if they were our saviors.
All praise is reserved for God, but sincere acknowledgment of someone’s efforts is appropriate.
When it comes to money, this principle applies as well. We must acknowledge that money is a tool, a creation of God, but we should reserve our praise and love for the Creator.
The Danger of Coveting
One of the commandments is, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's things." Coveting, or yearning for something, is dangerous because it turns our focus away from God and makes us consumers rather than servants.
Our God is a jealous God; He doesn’t want us yearning for His creations. He wants us to yearn for His love.
The Bible warns us against the love of money because it can lead to covetousness, which can, in turn, lead to spiritual death.
In financial planning, we must remember that God owns it all. If we fail to grasp this concept, we will never fully understand the stock market or the nature of wealth.
The Role of Gratitude and Acknowledgment
Hebrews 13 teaches us how to live a good life, and contentment is a crucial aspect of this. But what is the difference between contentment and complacency?
These words are often confused, but they have very different meanings.
Complacency is a lack of desire to move forward, while contentment is about being satisfied with what you have, even as you continue to strive for growth.
As investors, we should strive for growth, not for the sake of accumulation, but so we can have more resources to give and to serve.
Contentment means being grateful for what we have, without being disappointed in what we don’t have. It’s about recognizing the blessings God has given us and trusting Him to provide for our needs.
The Carrot, The Donkey and the Stick: Society’s Trap
Society often dangles a carrot on a stick in front of us like a donkey, tempting us to strive for more, even if we already have enough.
This constant striving can lead to discontentment, as we’re always chasing the next dollar, the next promotion, the next big thing. This mentality is a trap that keeps us from being content with what we have and can even lead us away from our faith.
But Hebrews 13:6 reminds us, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
We must trust that God will provide for our needs and that no matter what society tries to sell us, we can find true contentment in Him.
The Power of Gratitude
To be content, we must start with gratitude.
Gratitude is the foundation of contentment. When we’re grateful for what we have, we’re less likely to covet what others have. We’re less likely to fall into the trap of always wanting more.
Jesus exemplified this when He fed the 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and fish. He was content with what He had and used it to perform a miracle.
We, too, can perform miracles in our lives by being content with what we have and trusting God to multiply our blessings. Whether you have $500,000 or $5,000,000, you can be happy if you trust that this is the life God wants you to have.
Living a Life of Contentment and Faith
In conclusion, living a life of contentment is not about being complacent. It’s about recognizing that God owns it all and that our job is to manage His resources wisely.
It’s about being grateful for what we have, while still striving to grow and improve. It’s about loving the Creator, not His creations, and trusting that He will provide for our needs.
As you continue on your financial journey, remember to keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have.
Trust that the Lord is your helper, and you have nothing to fear. When you focus on God and His blessings, you’ll find true contentment and peace.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this blog has given you some valuable insights into how you can be both rich and righteous.
If you have any questions about retirement planning or want to discuss your financial situation, please feel free to reach out.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our free eBook, "The Four Pillars of Christian Finance," to learn more about managing your finances in a way that honors God.
Bible Study: How To Achieve Financial Contentment and Spiritual Prosperity Podcast #304
Drawing from Hebrews 13:5-6 and 1 Timothy 6:10, Ridgeway discusses the difference between loving money and using it wisely.
He emphasizes that while money itself is neutral, the love of it can lead us away from God’s intentions. The episode offers practical advice on contentment versus complacency and encourages listeners to focus on gratitude and divine guidance in their financial journeys.
Key Takeaways:
The Misconception About Money and Piety: Many believe that poverty is a sign of righteousness and that money is inherently evil. Ridgeway clarifies that the Bible does not condemn money itself but warns against loving it more than God. Money, in its essence, is neutral; it’s the attitude toward it that matters. It’s crucial to understand that wealth can be managed with integrity while maintaining a strong spiritual focus.
Understanding Contentment vs. Complacency: Contentment is about being thankful for what you have while striving to improve your situation within God's framework. Complacency, however, means a lack of desire for growth or change. Ridgeway emphasizes that while contentment allows for gratitude and peace, complacency can hinder progress and personal development. Financial planning should aim for growth while being content with current blessings.
Biblical Verses on Money: Hebrews 13:5-6 advises to “keep your life free from the love of money” and to be content with what you have. This verse highlights the importance of not letting the pursuit of wealth dominate your life. Ridgeway connects this with 1 Timothy 6:10, which warns that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Both scriptures point to the need for a balanced view of money that prioritizes spiritual well-being over material gain.
: Gratitude is a key component of contentment. Ridgeway reflects on the importance of being thankful for the resources and opportunities provided by God. By focusing on gratitude, individuals can maintain a positive outlook and avoid being driven by insatiable desires for more wealth. This mindset helps in managing finances with a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Quotes:
“Money is neither good nor bad; it’s our attitude towards it that makes the difference.”
“The love of money can lead us away from God’s intentions. It’s not the money itself, but the love of it that is problematic.”
“Contentment is being grateful for what you have, while striving to grow within God’s framework. Complacency, on the other hand, hinders progress.”
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As Christians, we were taught to be good stewards over our tithing and giving to the less fortunate. But when it came to our personal finances and investing we were left clueless on what the Bible says. What does the Bible say about managing debt, leaving a legacy, investing, and planning for your retirement? Mr. Christian Finance answers these and many other questions because we want to teach you how to become rich and righteous!
Meet A.B. Ridgeway:
A.B. Ridgeway, MBA, CPWA®️ (info@abrwealthmanagement.com) is the owner and Christian Financial Advisor with A.B. Ridgeway Wealth Management. With a decade in the finance industry, his goal is to give believers clarity around the most confusing topic in the Bible, money, and tithing. A.B. Ridgeway helps tithing Christians become cheerful givers but unlocking their money-making potential, so they can prosper and be the great stewards of the wealth God has entrusted them with.
*Disclaimer: This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of any description of securities, markets or developments mentioned. This is strictly for information purposes. We recommend you speak with a professional financial advisor.
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