Question about savings accounts

savings accounts?
collecting interest?
Laying up treasure in heaven vs. saving for the future?

Anyone have any thoughts/opinions?

Thanks, Michelle

so in other words, spend it all! or keep some back??

:)

My own belief tells me the economy is
destined to fail so money won't be worth
something very much longer so if you
have it; do all the good you can with it!!

If you are going to need it, you should save it...if you are able. Otherwise other people will need to take care of you.

Otherwise, do as your conscience allows as you meet people (edit: and are touched by their situations.)

MC

well it depends, the book of proverbs says a wise man saves for his children, and we have Daniel that stored huge amount of food for the "bad" years when having plenty. So i think it is hard to make a rule, some of the "heroes" in hebrews 11 did not have anything... walked in deserts and lived in caves... So seek the Lord and he will lead you down the path you should walk, if he leads you to save great, if not great.

and what others do Jesus said "what is that to you?"

God bless

I think the same as sojourner7, but believe we should be in prayer of how to use it, as good stewards of what belongs to the Lord.

Mat 6:19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

However I believe we are to work and share what things God gives us with those who have needs. Paul worked.

It is time live the sermon on the mount:

Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

2Cr 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.
13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.

Hbr 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

It matters not what the future holds, because He holds it in His all-sufficient, loving hands. We need to make friends with everything we have.

Luk 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.
20 But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 ¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1Jo 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

It is time we live the word.

Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

1Pe 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

In the Strongs this is what hospitality means:

1) friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well

a) a friend

b) an associate

c) he who associates familiarly with one, a companion

d) one of the bridegroom's friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials

1) a foreigner, a stranger

a) alien (from a person or a thing)

b) without the knowledge of, without a share in

c) new, unheard of

2) one who receives and entertains another hospitably

a) with whom he stays or lodges, a host

Love looks like something. Now is the time for us to do the word.

well it depends, the book of proverbs says a wise man saves for his children, and we have Daniel that stored huge amount of food for the "bad" years when having plenty. So i think it is hard to make a rule, some of the "heroes" in hebrews 11 did not have anything... walked in deserts and lived in caves... So seek the Lord and he will lead you down the path you should walk, if he leads you to save great, if not great. and what others do Jesus said "what is that to you?"

I would have to wholeheartedly agree. Here is another scripture that you might take into account.

2Co 9:6-13
(6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(9) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
(10) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
(11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
(12) For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
(13) Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

Savings need not be self-serving. Saving is wise (see proverbs) and it is purposeful. God does not desire His people to be in debt. My wife and I intentionally saved money so that when our old vehicle wore out we could pay cash for a newer one without having to accrue debt. Savings also puts us in a position that when an opportunity comes to give, we can fulfill these scriptures and give generously out of a joyful heart. What good is an opportunity to give if I haven't the money to give? Neither of these things is laying up treasure on earth, nor is following scriptural advice to be wise in laying up for your children. Laying up treasure on earth is about your motive and focus. If I think that this world is all there is and live in fear that I am the only one who can supply my needs, or if I simply covet and think that he who dies with the most toys wins, I am laying up treasure on earth. If I am saving out of Godly wisdom and for the purpose of being able to continue to be effective for the kingdom, then I am not out of focus with it. If God were to call you to abandon all and embark on a work that did not allow you to save, obey. Others will be led of God to supply your need. It is how the kingdom works.

Thank you all for your responses.

I will go over these verses prayerfully and diligently!

:))

HmmHmm.... Your response was well said!

One further verse from Proverbs to consider on this topic..

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
Proverbs 21:20 NIV

This certainly indicates that having some safety net in the form of savings is the way of wisdom. However, it could also be noted that the foolish man devours (on self indulgence?)not gives. That would not appear to be the same as investing in the kingdom while on earth or giving to the legitimate needs of others who are in hard times.

Blessings