(What Does Stability Look Like? Part 5)
By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Psalm 15:1-5
‘I’m not good with money.’
Not everyone takes to financial stewardship naturally. But if we remember the money that comes into our hands belongs to the Lord, and that we will give an account to Him for how we manage it, we will be motivated to be diligent with money.
With rare exceptions, how we manage money is a barometer of the level of our self-discipline.
Verses 4 and 5 mention three final qualities that a stable person has. All three have to do with money. The Lord is offering us help here.
First, a stable person keeps his word, even if to do so costs him. He made a promise, but before he can fulfil it the situation changes. Now he realises that following through on his word means a financial loss. ‘But no matter,’ he says, ‘I said I’d do it and I will.’ Such an honourable person will not be moved.
Second a stable person does not benefit himself by harming others. In verse 5, he does not crush a borrower by charging excessive interest (‘usury’).
Debts in ancient times were usually for necessities. This person refused to take advantage of people for his own gain.
A reasonable profit is acceptable. The value of money borrowed is eroded by inflation, and so some of the interest of a loan merely recuperates the value of money lost to inflation while the money was loaned. For example, suppose inflation is running at 5% and you loan to me at 8%. You are only making a 3% profit, certainly reasonable. An example of usury would be if you were to charge me 20% profit. Yes, there are cases where such a rate of interest makes good ‘business sense’ because it is worthwhile. And yes, it is customary for a borrower to pay a premium if a particular loan is considered excessively risky to the lender’s capital. But usually, a 20% interest rate would crush the borrower. In cases where the loan was taken in order to recover from an emergency, this would be unscrupulous.
Third, a stable person loathes bribes, especially when they are given in order to harm innocent people.
A relationship with the Lord elevates us. We learn to honour the Lord and others. He teaches us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
Father, am I honourable with money? Show me the truth about myself. Thank You for providing money to me to test my character. Help me to wisely manage it in a way that pleases You. Help me to keep my word, even when it is painful. Help me to use money to help rather than harm others. Help me to also keep money in its rightful place, never greedy at the expense of people who are precious to You. I ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.