#1532. God’s method of getting money (9/6/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our Stewardship series.
This week we are reflecting on how God wants us to steward our finances.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”’ (1 Thessalonians 3:7-10)
In our last devotional, we saw how good stewardship of money begins by acknowledging that it is the gift of God - all we have comes from God - this is about a heart of humility and thankfulness. Today, let’s think about how we are to get money - what does God’s Word teach us about the acquisition of money?
John Wesley, the famous Christian leader, famously exhorted:
“Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
The first phrase - ‘gain all you can’ - is the focus of today’s reflection. Of course, the ultimate goal of gaining wealth is to use it wisely and give it away generously. However, the practical truth remains: without the gaining, there can be no giving!
Today, we see that:
God’s design is that money is acquired, primarily, through work or the generosity of those who work.
There are lots of ways that we can seek to get money: gambling, stealing, begging, manipulation, deception, fraud, drug dealing, or exploitation. However, the Bible gives us a clear, primary engine for godly provision: honest, diligent work. While God may bless us through an unexpected gift, an inheritance, or wise investments, His standard blueprint for our ‘daily bread’ is working. Randy Alcorn writes:
‘God’s Way to Earn Money is Work. Only governments and counterfeiters make money. The rest of us have to earn it, inherit it, win it, or steal it. Work is the God-ordained means for contributing to society, finding fulfillment, and meeting material needs so we can provide for our families (Proverbs 20:4; 1 Timothy 5:8). In God’s ideal plan, every person is a worker. Regardless of age, ability, or handicap, nearly everyone can make a meaningful contribution to family and society through work—even if it’s unpaid or very simple. Scripture emphasises work as the primary means of making money to meet material needs…’ (Randy Alcorn. Money, Possessions, and Eternity)
It’s interesting to note that even in the perfect creation - in Eden - mankind was commissioned to work:‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.’ (Genesis 2:15)
If we want to acquire money, God’s primary design is that we work for it. This is why Paul delivers such hard-hitting words in today’s text. He writes: ‘For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.’. Paul didn't just preach about diligence; he modelled it. He refused to be idle, paid for his own food, worked night and day, and did everything he could to avoid becoming a financial burden to the church - this is the model that each of us, according to our personal situation - are to seek to imitate.
Response
God’s design is that money is acquired, primarily, through work or the generosity of those who work.
Today’s reflection will naturally bring up a few important questions depending on your current situation:
1. What if I cannot work?
There are many legitimate reasons why someone cannot work. Old age, chronic illness, or poor health can limit our physical ability to labor. This, of course, is a season that most of us will eventually pass through - we only have to live long enough!
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul outlines several key principles for caring for the vulnerable within the church community. Although this letter was written long before the modern government safety nets we enjoy today, these timeless principles reveal God's heart: He wants us to recognise those who are truly in need and extend deep generosity toward them. If you cannot work, you are meant to be the recipient of that godly generosity.
2. What if I cannot find work?
When Paul wrote his hard-hitting rule - ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat’ - he was addressing those who were lazy and actively chose to be idle. He was not attacking those who are desperately trying to find work but cannot. God is a compassionate Father, not a rigid taskmaster. He sees your effort, and He feels your frustration.
If you find yourself in a stressful season of unemployment, here is how you can respond:
Pray: Pray personally, and vulnerably invite trusted Christian friends to pray with you about your financial and employment needs.
Work in the ways you can: Do what you can to serve and help others right now. How can you invest your unexpected free time to be a conduit of God’s love in this season?
Trust: Keep trusting your Heavenly Father. He has revealed that it is His default will for us to work, so keep knocking on doors, trusting that He will provide! His name is Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide).
3. How does God want me to work?
Finally, if you are currently employed, what kind of attitude does God want you to carry into your workplace? Since God's primary engine for provision is work, your workplace is holy ground - it is both God’s place of provision for you and your primary mission field.
May we excel: Let’s strive to be the best employers and employees we can be, doing everything to the distinct glory of Jesus.
May we go the extra mile: Let’s reject bare-minimum thinking and actively seek the highest good for our colleagues, managers, and clients.
May we stay grateful: Let’s receive our income with deep thanksgiving and enjoy the fruits of our labor, remembering that it is God “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17b)
May we be generous: Let’s remember that we work to cover our own needs, but also to possess the means to bless others. As Paul charges us, we are to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued with our Stewardship series, reflecting on the important and challenging subject of stewarding the money that God has entrusted to us.
Please read Matthew 6:33 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." What does this practically look like when applied to how we steward our money?
According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what is the core difference between false hope and true hope? Why is it so easy to accidentally anchor our security in wealth rather than in God?
Looking closely at 1 Timothy, what are the different reasons and purposes for which God provides us with material resources?
What does God promise to those who listen to His wisdom and faithfully steward their money? What kind of "life" or "treasure" is being stored up? (See also Matthew 6:19-21).
Reflecting on today's discussion, is there a practical change, habit, or specific response you need to make this week regarding your stewardship?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study - Provision, wisdom, direction… in regard to money.
Bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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