This article describes how to live in a way that uniquely demonstrates the gospel. This article expands on the idea first presented in Gospel-Worthy Walking.

During my college years, I earned money in the summer months building houses. In those days, houses were built with a hammer and nails, rather than pneumatic nail guns like today. As a college grunt, I spent most of my summer carrying lumber or hammering nails. I quickly learned from the more experienced workers that a good framing hammer was an essential tool for the job. The head of the hammer needed to weigh enough in order to seat any-sized nail with only two blows. The handle needed to reach far enough to fasten roof sheeting while bending at the waist, rather than kneeling. The claw of the hammer needed to be strong enough to remove nails and split wood while remaining sharp enough to open a frosty bottle cap at the end of a long, hot, workday. 

My first framing hammer cost more than a day’s wages. I made the investment because proper tools make workers more productive. I didn’t invest because of status or a sense of being. I bought it because I could be more productive. Not to brag, but our small crew of three guys framed a new house every five days. Just about every Friday afternoon, our crew got to watch as new homeowners were allowed to walk through their house for the first time. Listening to a family talk about their future home gave us purpose, joy, and commitment to build another.

As I reflect on the subject of finances, I think about money as a tool, just like my framing hammer. The “weight” or amount of the money I’ve been given needs to be sufficient to meet basic needs for my family. The “reach” or savings of our money needs to be sufficient for God’s purposes while He has me and my family on earth.. The “application” or use of our money can either bring instant personal gratification, like clawing open a frosty bottle cap, or it can provide long-term fulfillment like building a home for a family whom I’ve never met. Money does not bring fulfillment, create joy, or establish purpose. Money is simply a tool. 

In my experience, when we use money as a tool to further God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit blesses us with purpose, joy, and contentment.

Purpose

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing about the passion of the churches in Macedonia, who contributed to the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of saints – and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, author’s emphasis added).

Through the grace of God, a sense of purpose is given to those who generously give to God. We all search for purpose in life. The Holy Spirit provides that sense of purpose when we joyfully give to those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ. The believers in Macedonia begged to be a part of God’s purpose and plan.

Joy

Continuing in 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul goes on to teach, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Couple this text with Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

The result is compounding joy. The Holy Spirit provides joy. Our forgetfulness about sacrifices made is replaced with recurring joy each time we are reminded how God used our treasure for His purposes. Joy is not found in the things we have. God given joy comes from using our money as a tool to bless others. 

Contentment

Instructing his mentee, Timothy, Paul writes, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, author's emphasis added).

Generous giving (to further the Kingdom of God) creates contentment in what we do and why we do it. Saving for a retirement lifestyle of pleasure and relaxation does not bring contentment. It usually results in boredom, apathy, and gluttony. Our retirement savings should be viewed as a tool that enables us to enter into full-time, lifelong service to the Lord. 

My hope in writing this article is to encourage a proper perspective of money and personal finances. Money is a tool. Money is not the prize. Tools are used to make workers more productive during the time we have been given on earth. My encouragement is to use the tools given to us by God to further His kingdom on earth. As a result, God’s Holy Spirit blesses us with purpose-driven lives, filled with joy and contentment.