A member of a local church was asked to handle a project for the church. The church committee, after going through his quotation, noticed his bill was outrageously high when compared to other vendors. When he was confronted, his remark surprised and troubled everyone; “After all, it’s church money and I’d pay my tithe.” This man has lost his conscience.
Friend, when it comes to making money, you need to know your righteous limit of profit making (Proverbs 16:8). You need to know where you can make money and where you cannot. You also need to know whom you can make money from and whom you cannot. You should know how much is righteously allowed for you to make (Proverbs 11:1).
The idea that Christians and lay people are free to make money anywhere and anyhow is a dangerous idea. Something can be godly and legitimate but not righteous for you to partake of (1 Corinthians 10:23). The business can be legitimate, but it is not allowed by God. You need to check and obey your conscience when it comes to money matters. If you violate your conscience, you are invariably telling God you can make money without Him (Genesis 14:23).
There are things that other businessmen can practise in their business, but a Christian cannot (2 Corinthians 6:17). For example, when you have to tell a lie on a product or service so you can make more money, it is not correct. Tell the truth always, even if it means losing money (Proverbs 22:1). Depend on God’s wisdom on how to posture and respond in business deals.
Like Abraham, every Christian must go into life and business with a conviction that it is only God and His blessings that are the ultimate determinant of true prosperity (Genesis 14:22-23, Proverbs 10:22). Sometimes, you have to lose money to gain more money. You have to appear stupid so God can show the excellency of His wisdom through you (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Know where and whom you should not make money from. These are places and people that give you what money cannot give you (Genesis 14:17-20). You must treasure grace above gold. Judas attempted to make money from Jesus, and it brought him untimely death. Gehazi lost his prophetic destiny when he attempted to make money the wrong way (2 Kings 5:20-27, Matthew 27:3-5). Know your righteous limit of profit.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria