Rajan Zed| Reno Gazette Journal
Religious types tell us that everything belongs to God. Finances are entrusted to us by God. Your money is not actually yours. Money is a gift from God; we are just stewards. Put God first. Develop trust in God. Listen to God. Handle money God's way.
Manage faithfully, for God’s glory, responsibly, with integrity, etc. God expects multiplication; they add.
We are also told: Avoid greed. Cultivate generosity. Develop a vision. Do not look for happiness in money. Have a healthy alliance with money. Help meet the needs of fellow human beings.
Others counsel us: Be prepared for tomorrow. Have long-term goals. Invest. Plan a financial cushion. Learn to be content. Live on the margin. Simplify life. Utilize the excess money for good. Save. Stay away from debt. Stick to the budget.
Lord Krishna points out in the ancient Bhagavad Gita: There are three gates to this self-destructive hell — lust, anger and greed. Renounce these three. Those who escape from these three gates of darkness, seek what is best and attain life's supreme goal.
We asked our panel: How does God want us to manage our finances?
Steward His resources well
Bryan Smith, lead pastor, Summit Christian Church, Sparks
This Bible is clear in 1 Corinthians 10:31 — everything (read: everything) is an act of worship. All that we do is to be done for the glory of God. Equally clear is God’s ownership of everything (Deuteronomy 10:14) and that God is a God of abundance. How we manage our finances moves beyond a personal decision to an act of worship as we manage, or steward, God’s resources in our lives. Generosity back to God in the form of a tithe (10%) is the starting line. Beyond that, living within our means communicates to God our understanding of his provision and desire to honor and worship that provision.
As we bring our finances under the authority of God, we also experience his pleasure and abundance in our lives. We would do well to heed the wisdom of God’s Word and honor him with how we use his resources.
Effectively
Kenneth G. Lucey, philosophy/religion professor emeritus, University of Nevada
If I were in contact with God and asked for financial advice, I can imagine getting advice similar to that offered by Stephen Covey ("The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," 1989). While not specifically financial, some of Covey’s advice has important financial applications. 1) Be proactive. 2) Begin with the end in mind. 3) Put first things first. 4) Think win-win. 5) Seek first to understand, then to be understood. 6) Synergize. And finally, 7) Sharpen the saw.
Handling one’s finances effectively is a lifetime project requiring both skill and lifelong perseverance. Acquiring the knowledge and expertise to handle one’s financial matters adeptly requires serious dedication. Doing so effectively is one of our most difficult life tasks. God would surely have moral principles to add to these suggestions, but having the resources to be able to be charitable first requires one to be able to acquire them.
Holistic approach
Sherif A. Elfass, member, Northern Nevada Muslim Community
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the importance of managing wealth by stating that upon death, individuals will be questioned about five aspects of their worldly lives. Notably, two of these questions focus on wealth: how it was earned and how it was spent. This underscores the significance of financial conduct in Islam.
In the financial domain, Islamic principles adopt a holistic perspective, emphasizing social responsibility, ethics and spirituality. Social responsibility is paramount, guiding Muslims in their financial transactions, payments and economic engagements. Honesty, fairness and transparency are promoted, ensuring that individuals and societies benefit from wealth. Islam mandates thoughtful consumption, discouraging excess and advocating ethical behavior. Through the obligations of zakat (fourth pillar of Islam) and charitable paying, Islam places great emphasis on ensuring that some wealth is shared between the rich and the poor. Islam’s holistic approach to managing finances encompasses social responsibility, ethics and emphasizing behaviors that alleviate poverty.
With spiritual wisdom
Toni King, spiritual leader, Unity Center of Reno
Wisdom is the facet of Love that includes discernment and intuition. When in partnership with Divine Mind, spiritual wisdom transcends intellectual knowledge that gathers strength from a deep level of understanding of God as Source of all good. Paying homage to this Truth by tithing creates a covenant, a partnership with God that all things will come in divine order through the Laws of Prosperity and Abundance, according to the consciousness we hold.
Once the tithe is offered, spend on necessities of living, i.e. bills; then, with great discernment, on what feeds your purpose and supports your values. Spending on "purpose" may include tuition or anything that propels you toward your dream, while spending on "values" might be donations to causes that create a better world. Always give and pay bills with a consciousness of joyful gratitude so that you gain understanding from the new, increased blessings coming your way!
As good stewards
Daniel H. Mueggenborg, bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno
Faithful stewardship is an essential part of Christian discipleship. Jesus spoke frequently about the right use of material resources as an expression of our love of God and neighbor. Accordingly, God wants us to use our finances as a tool with which to do His will and reflect His generosity. Good stewards know that all of life’s blessings, including financial resources, are a gift from God.
By definition, a Christian steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them lovingly in justice with others, and returns them to the Lord with increase.
Charity for those in need is a necessary part of faithful stewardship. On a national level, we have a corresponding responsibility to ensure that all peoples have access to the economic system so that they can be active agents in their own development and receive the basic necessities of life and human dignity.
Manage well, give generously
Matthew T. Fisher, resident priest, Reno Buddhist Center
How people manage their finances is important. In the time of the Buddha two of his important students were wealthy because they had managed their money well and because of that they could generously support the Buddha’s teaching mission with gifts of land, buildings and food for the community. One was Anatapindika, a merchant who saw the value of the Dharma and gave accordingly. The other was Ambapali, an enterprising woman who shared the wealth she earned in the entertainment business with the Buddha’s sangha and ultimately donated all her holdings to support it.
We should manage our money well because this will allow us to generously give without expectation of reward. In Buddhism, this is called Dana. It is the first effective practice we learn on the Dharma Path. We manage our money with an ethical mind, always avoiding investing in harmful or destructive concerns.
Two obligations
Micheal L. Peterson, northwestern Nevada media specialist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We are under an obligation to provide the necessities for our families, which can mean different things to different people, and after that to care for the poor and the needy. The Lord does not expect us to accumulate wealth for the sake of being rich. For if we do, “we will fall into temptation and a snare.” He wants our hearts, our pure hearts and He has counseled that where our riches are there will our hearts be also (see 1st Timothy 6).
While it is not a sin to be wealthy, it is important how we use that wealth. Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor and needy. One way that we do this is by paying an honest tithe and then a fast offering to be used for those in need, as has been commanded since Abraham.
Responsibly, and generously
Dawn M. Blundell, lead pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Fallon
We are to live well within our means, with scrupulous integrity, saving for the future and giving generously. Not only is this smart, it can also be a deeply impactful spiritual practice.
Like any important thing, living this way is more easily said than done. In our prosperous country, it can be more difficult than we realize to discern between what we want and what we need — even more so when the costs of living continue to rise. But approaching the management of money as a spiritual practice can help us find a healthy perspective.
This time of year, many Christian groups observe a season called Lent, which is marked by prayerful self-sacrifice, intentional simplicity and increased generosity. It involves doing without something we enjoy for awhile, and devoting more time and resources to those in need. The result can be improved clarity, lower stress, deeper peace and greater joy.
Be ethical
ElizaBeth Webb Beyer, Jewish rabbi
Money is a tool, neither good nor evil. It’s a means, not a goal. Poverty is not virtuous; wealth is not evil. Earn your own way; avoid relying on others, if possible (Psalms 128:2). Repay debt quickly. Be honest in business. Respect the property of others. Don’t be wasteful. Avoid greed (Proverbs 15:27). Spend money on things that increase in value, rather than decrease. Be generous to others and extend credit (Deuteronomy 15:8). When purchasing things for a mitzvah (Shabbat candles, etc.), one may spend 30% more to make things beautiful (Exodus 15:2).
Honor G-d by giving at least 10% tzedakah (translates as “righteousness” because it’s ethically required; it’s not a charitable gift) (Genesis 28:22) but not more than 20% to avoid impoverishing ourselves. The very wealthy give more. The best way to give tzedakah is to help (i.e. interest-free loan or partnership) so the person can eventually support themselves.
Contentment, discipline, generosity
Daniel M. Frank, lead pastor, Grace Church
The secret to financial success is found in three words; contentment, discipline, and generosity. So what is contentment? The best definition that I have heard is to live independent of circ*mstances — in other words, not be influenced by any one or anything. It is learning not to be obsessed with what you possess. The reality is that all possessions are temporary.
The second key word is discipline. By this I mean learning to live within your means. We live beyond our means when we use credit cards to support our lifestyle. Oh, did I mention living on a budget?
The third key word is generosity. We are most like God when we are generous. When I am generous, I am partnering with God. When God is my business partner, I gain the wisdom of God. Not only that, generosity is the ultimate act of worship.
Finances should be a top priority
Stephen R. Karcher, presiding priest, Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church
Financial management is determined by how we view money and what we consider truly valuable. For instance, my money decisions will be different based on how I prioritize such things as overall health and well-being, my ability to travel, or owning a large home. Yet we’re reminded by John Chrysostom that the wealth we manage is not ours, but “our money is the Lord’s, however we may have gathered it.”
In other words, everything we possess are gifts from God and, as such, they ultimately belong to Him. In turn, we are called to be good stewards, or rather, good managers of His gifts. As managers then, we should be mindful that in death we will stand before God to give an account of how well we managed these gifts, specifically as to whether or not we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and shared our resources with the needy.
Balance needs of body and soul
Nancy Lee Cecil, Baha’i teacher
God asks us to be content with what we are given, but to not ask for more than our share. Baha’is believe we are all responsible for finding an occupation to take care of our needs and pay off our debts. If we are blessed with more than we need, we are obliged to give back to God in a myriad of ways.
A study of “happiness” suggests until our basic material needs are met, we are not content. After that, however, more things do not lead to increased happiness; in the eyes of God, such obsession with materialism leads to spiritual atrophy. Our writings say one’s “… merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches … Take heed, lest in thinking too earnestly of the things of the body you forget the things of the soul: for material advantages do not elevate the spirit ...”
Next week’s topic: Should humans colonize outer space?
Faith Forum is a weekly dialogue on religion produced by religious statesman Rajan Zed. Send questions or comments to [email protected] or on Twitter at @rajanzed.
