Proverbs 30:9
"That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God."
This marks out the boundaries of how much money and how little money a person should earn. It is quite a range, and it can expand as your love for God grows.
If your pride says that you earned the money and you are the one who made you successful, then your pride and your money will be your downfall. If, however, you bring God along on each step of your financial wealth-building experience, then your earning potential is unlimited.
In the United States, there are many people who are making more than they ever thought they would make. They have become comfortable, which is the designation of middle class, and in the process they have forgotten God. There are millions of people who make more money who are deeply connected to God – it is their orientation to money, to their comfort, and to the sacrifice it took for them to earn the money.
This goal of financial development is to become generously abundant, releasing excess funds to assist God's work in various parts of the world. It is God who assists, directs, gifts, and opens doors which allows a person to grow their earning potential.
Money is deceptive in that it is a thing, but it exercises a hold over people's lives like no other thing in this world. It can become the god of your life. One can use money, earn money, give money, enjoy money; but one must make certain that they do not love money. Do not look to money to meet your needs, to please you. Instead pursue God; and if He gives you the ability to earn money, then thank Him and enjoy it. If He gives you less earning potential, then enjoy Him and enrich your life in other directions.
This proverb states that if you have to steal, then you are below the standard that God wants you to have. Sometimes I have been asked, "How am I going to make it? I am going to have to steal or not pay taxes or lie on certain things." This is never God's plan. If immoral actions are required in your job or your life, then it is time to move to another career, area, or company. It ceases to be God's will when it requires immoral actions to earn a living.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz