Psalm 73, Examine Yourselves: Financial Difficulties (1)

We have been building on Paul’s admonition to examine yourselves (2 Cor. 13:5).  We considered contentions which we take to be a pride of life issue.  We considered sexual sin which is often a lust of the flesh issue.  Let us not consider a lust of the eyes (materialism) issue.  Often financial difficulties present such an area of temptation.

1.     God provides an opportunity.

Think of times in the Bible when people struggled with money.  Job lost everything he owned (as well as his family).  Psalm 73 speaks of a common issue where the righteous are frustrated because it seems to them the wicked are prospering while they suffer.  What about the wilderness wanderings of Israel?  Were not their grumblings often a concern over the supply of their physical needs?  For us things like the loss of a job, unexpected medical expenses or the even just the possibility of these things can set us to worry. 

In addition to these trials we are often beset by temptations.  We may have the thought that we want what our parents have, and we want it soon.  We may think that lack of finances for some need can just be resolved by putting it on a credit card.  What about the feelings of envy we might have when we see what our friends have or the neighbors?  Any of these thoughts can be the opportunity in which God would seek to help us grow.

2.     Responding to the opportunity.

These situations can be handled in righteousness or sinfully.  Let us consider the attitudes and actions that lead us away from God’s desire for our lives.

·        Sinful attitudes.

oMatt. 6:25-34: Worry might be the number one issue with financial trials.  Jesus commands us not to worry three times in this passage (v25,31,34).

oIsaiah 51:12-13: Fear is right behind worry and is connected.  Isaiah reminds Israel how silly to fear when your God is your Maker.

oNum. 20:1-5: Anger often comes into play.  For the believer anger is always ultimately directed to God even though we may be angry with the government or some businessman you are convinced is highly overpriced.  Anger often paralyzes us, making us incapable of proper action.

oJames 1:9-11: Self-pity is the result of comparison with others or of relying in things.  Both the rich and poor are exhorted to see themselves in Christ rather than gauging themselves by their wealth.

oJames 5:7-12: Discouragement can lead us to give up in the face of what seems to be a daunting financial burden.

oEph. 5:1-7: Covetousness (greed), when it is the attitude of our lives, is pure and simply idolatry.