Day 60 - 90 Days in Proverbs -Nonprofit
Proverbs 11:4 [NKJV] Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death
The phrase “day of wrath” calls to mind prophesies of catastrophic and end time events where similar words are used.
Romans 2:5 [NKJV] But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, [See also Zephaniah 1:14-15]
Right now, we say things like “money talks” and that the world’s Golden Rule – the Golden Rule that mankind actually lives by is “he who has the gold makes the rules.” Even the most needed and impactful charities require donations – need money – to get the food, goods, medicine and education they offer into the hands of those they serve.
We may idolize folks like Mother Theresa who lived with nothing and helped the poorest of the poor, but we know that she (and other humble servants like her) never influenced the big governmental decisions. Her words and actions were never used to set policy – not in her country nor even with the Catholic Church.
We don’t need to be told that none of what we gain by money matters when we stand before the judgment of God, do we, sweet sisters? We are well aware that the things we have accumulated will not influence the Great Judge on judgement day in any way. We cannot buy off God’s wrath or judgement – whether it is His judgment upon the world or His judgment of my life. God cares about character that we have built [See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15] and He cares about good works we have done [See Matthew 25:31-46]
Therefore, we also have to think about how money is used in our churches. Even though we know that money and what the church acquires by it will not matter in the day of wrath and at the time of judgment, does the world’s version of the Golden Rule apply inside your church organization too? Do bigger donors get a higher place within church government or influence? The early New Testament church leaders were concerned about that kind of partiality to the rich showing up within the congregation.
James 2:1-4 [NKJV] 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
Sisters, I am blessed with a lot of “things” in this life, including a well-paying, steady job that has allowed me to have a nice home, new car, and the means to help my children and to help the needy in the world around me. God is not impressed with any of the things I have acquired. Even good works I have done with my money have less influence on my judgement than the character I have built through showing genuine love and concern for other. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 makes that abundantly clear. Verse 3 says: And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
God cares about my character and that I show genuine love for others. It isn’t what I have or even what I give, it is how I have used it to grow in love, peace, faithfulness, etc.
Whether we fall into the pool of the needy or those who can and do help the less fortunate, we must guard against judging ourselves or others based on the wealth of this life or even the things we give to the less fortunate. We cannot look at ourselves or others as having more authority or more of the Holy Spirit just because we have more physical blessings, nor even because we are abundant in sharing what we have. That is not the measure God uses in His righteous judgement.
We can have much and give it all away and yet fail to be profitable in the end – in the day of wrath and judgement. Anything but the character of love motivating and building us is unprofitable work according to God.
I must keep this in mind when I am tempted to view the rich and the big givers as being something more or better than others (a better Christian, smarter, more deserving of praise or power). I must keep this in mind even if that rich and giving person is me.
Prayer — Father God, You have blessed me with so much! Thank you for all the blessings You have given me. Help me to use them always to serve You, Your people, and the world. But most of all, help me to grow in love and godly character, and to have genuine concern for others, which is only shown through sharing my blessings. Let me never use my blessings for self-praise or for power or think that they impresses you at all. Before You, I know that I am poor and blind and naked. Anything I have comes from You. Help me to be a truly profitable servant of Yours so that I produce the only thing that is profitable in the end – godly character: love. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.
Your thoughts —
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