03/18/2024
As a child, one of my most memorable moments was when I saved up some money and handed it to my mother to buy a pair of Jean trousers and a jacket for me when she visited an out-of-town market. I was praised by everyone for being so financially responsible that I was able to put some money aside from the meager money I got from either running errands for grown up neighbors or as gifts from visitors to the house. I remember one of my agemate's mother praised me so much, and was endlessly on his son's case for not being like me.
As an adult however, I couldn't reconcile such commendations with seeming biblical opposition to savings. Most theologians, if being honest will tell you the Christian faith opposes savings. From "Give us this day, our daily bread" to the Mannah experience in the wilderness. It is noteworthy that while the act of saving was deliberately discouraged, exception was made to the rule only on days preceding the sabbath. I became even more curious when i found out that though the Scripture discourages savings, it endorses investment. the question then is " Why is it so?" there is a thin line between savings and investment. As a matter of fact, savings to most people is the pathway to investment. In other not to create any doubt, let me quickly tell why I believe the Bible is investment friendly. The Bible talks about the master and his servants and how he handed them talents of different proportions and embarked on a long journey. When he came back, he judged them basically on how they had put them into use.
So, why is savings frown at? My curious mind found rest the moment i realized that it becomes a problem when it is propelled by fear. Fear of the unknown. God wants complete trust from us. The confidence that He has our back. When your savings becomes desperate because of your fear, it becomes unacceptable. You are going to wake up and find out that the Mannah you have put aside for the following day has turned into worms. The savings is not the problem, it is the reason why you are saving. That is why Mannah did not turn to worms when saved on days preceding the Sabbath.
Every Christian must get to the point when they can say "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want"