GUEST EDITORIAL
God’s Promises We have rich promises in the Word of God. In Scripture, there are many passages that speak to financial matters; however, the text that serves as a North Star for me in the area of financial counsel is, Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3: 9–10 NKJV). A proverb is a commonplace truth, wise saying or precept. As you reflect on this passage of Scripture, consider the Northwestern Mutual 2018 Planning & Progress Study: • 30 percent of Americans are stressed out about
E Glynn Scott
spoken to you (Genesis 28:15). In response to God’s promise and commitment, Jacob made the following vow: If God will be with me,
money constantly and money is the number one
and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread
reason Americans are stressed.
to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my
• Money is more stressful than work or relationships.
father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And
• More than 50 percent of Americans feel anxious or
this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house,
unsure about money “often or “all the time.” • 87 percent of Americans agree that nothing makes
and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You (Genesis 28:20–22 NKJV). For 77 years, Jacob seems
them happier or more confident than feeling like
not to have been a faithful tithe payer as he left Canna
their finances are in order.
a poor fugitive with nothing but a staff in his hand.
I submit that we are living in a time where people are concerned about money and money management. Scripture records multiple passages that highlight individuals that clearly understood Proverbs 3:9–10 as God’s promise and commitment to His faithful chil-
4 MARCH 2020
land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have
Yet he returned 20 years later with much cattle, flock, servants and a great large family. Our second Scripture is from Exodus 35:5–10, 20–21 and Exodus 36:5–7. Here Moses appeals to the children of Israel to give
dren. I have captured three for our consideration.
an offering to build God a tabernacle. “No sooner did
First, read the story of Jacob’s ladder in Genesis
they know what things would be accepted, than they
28:12–22. As a result of the tension with Esau, his
vied with each other in supplying them. Whatever any
brother, Jacob departs from Beersheba and heads to-
man possessed that could be applied to the projected
ward Haran. While resting at night, the Lord speaks the
structure, he deemed it instantly an offering to God;
following words to Jacob: Behold, I am with you and will
and without hesitation consecrated it to the service
keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this
of his God. Each seemed to think himself rich, not in
LAKE UNION HERALD
