Allow these verses and tidbits to remind you of how even your day-to-day expenses can glorify God. What do you think of these situations? Our treasure is in heaven, and an example should be made through honesty in all our finances.
WAGES AND TIPS
Leviticus 19:13
Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
When you go out to eat, how much do you tip the waitress or waiter for serving you? What kind of message as a Christian do you send with the tip you leave? Is it a message of caring about them or taking? Christians should be some of the best tippers and show they genuinely care for others who serve them with their pocketbook. It’s not our money anyway, it’s God’s. Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it”.
BUFFET LINES
Deuteronomy 25:15-17
You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.
I once saw a Christian couple where one bought the buffet and the other didn’t. The one who bought the buffet piled up her plate and returned to the table to give half of her food to her husband. She proceeded to do this several times. Other examples include taking more of anything than we need.
TICKETS
Exodus 20:15-16
You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Our children have always looked younger than they really are. I remember when they were 15 years old and still looked 12. Amusement parks and theaters would always look amazed when I would ask for an adult priced ticket for them. The clerk would ask how old my kids were and I would tell them, knowing that we should pay the adult ticket price. However, because they looked younger than they really were, the clerk would usually say, “I’ll let you pay the child’s price.” In those moments I had to make a decision: would I sell my integrity for the difference between a child and adult ticket price? My children were always watching to see what their Christian dad would do.
ONE LAST THOUGHT
Titus 2:6-8
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
These may seem like petty situations. But in all things financial, we should abide by a Biblical perspective . Where is your treasure stored?
Matthew 6:21
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.