The Fountain magazine Issue 03, August 2015

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6 MONEY MATTERS OUR VICE-CHAIR (TREASURY), JONATHAN MULE GIVES YOU INSIGHTS ON CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE Morality, given the Christian context, is the sense of judgment of right and wrong by reference to Biblical standards exercised and as evidenced by the society over time. It consists of standards of behaviour widely used by the Christians and is binding on the conscience of the members of this faith. An action that is considered to be opposed to morality will generally be frowned upon. For many people in this world, the goal of life is to gain enough material goods, in monetary terms, to make one’s present life comfortable and to save up at least enough to make one’s future secure. Money is the right of an individual to control a portion of the resources of the world. In the beginning when God created the world, he created it ``very good’’ (Gen 1:31). Thus, in their original form, all the material things of this world were and are good. Because God created the world, He is the absolute owner of everything (Ex. 9:29) and has the right to do whatever He wants with his world. He has entrusted these resources to men both to supply their needs and for them to care for them (Gen. 1:29-30) as taught in the parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30). We are God’s stewards on earth to which he has entrusted various resources, abilities, and opportunities and are expected to use them to benefit His kingdom. Private property and wealth is not intrinsically evil. The law protects private property (Ex. 22:1-15). The Ten Commandments prohibit the stealing or coveting a neighbor’s land, house, or animals in Ex. 20:15-17. Wealth is God’s blessing for His own (ps. 25:12-13; 128:1-2). The patriarchs Abraham and Job had vast personal wealth (Gen. 12:2; 14:4; job 1:3; 42:10). Jesus commanded his followers to give and lend to the poor. One can only give and lend of his own possessions. (Mt. 5:42; 6:2-4; Luke. 6:34-35). It is, therefore, not immoral to have material possessions but the primary danger of wealth is that it often gives one a false sense of security in the material goods of this world and leads one to forget the true God and run after the god of wealth (Hos. 13:6). Christ demonstrates this through the rich young man who came to Jesus, wanting to follow him. He would have to give up his riches Wealth to truly follow him, but the young man could not part from the deceptive god of his riches (Mt. 19:16-30) Jesus said, ``Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven... it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”(Mt. 19:23-24 Here are five things the Christian is expected to use his wealth for. PAY TAXES The Christian is commanded to pay taxes. ``…for the authorities are god’s servants…Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe him taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor’’ (Rom. 13:6-7). PAY WAGES& Christians are to pay their employees a fair wage (Jer. 22:13; Mal 3:5; Jam. 5:1-6)… Those who hired workers were prohibited from holding back wages overnight, which would effectively make the workers family go hungry (Lev. 19:3). Workers should not only be paid fairly but also in a timely manner. 2 THE FOUNTAIN MAGAZINE | ISSUE 03 - AUGUST 2015
7 MEET FAMILY NEEDS Christians are responsible to provide for their families (1 Tim. 5:8). The family here includes at least parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, as well as oneself. 3 1 Morality 4 SUPPORT MISSION Christians should support god’s work on this earth. According to the Old Testament law, the people of Israel were commanded to set apart a tithe of all they grew or raised (Lev. 27:30-32; Num. 18:21-32). Christians are commanded to financially support church elders and those who preach the good news. (1 Cor. 9:13-14). An example of this type of giving was the support Paul received from the Macedonians and the Philippians (2 co. 11:7- 12; Philip. 2:25; 4:14- 20). 5 HELP THE POOR Christians are commanded to help the poor and needy (Lev. 25:8-55). Every seven years there was a Sabbath year during which all debts between Israelites were to be cancelled (Deut. 15:1-5; 31:10). The law also commanded that an Israelite was to lend and give generously to the poor even though the year for cancelling debts was near and he would lose his money (Deut. 15:7-11). In addition, the land was to lie fallow and the poor allowed eating its produce (Ex 23:10-11), protecting the poor against bankruptcy. THE FOUNTAIN MAGAZINE | ISSUE 03 - AUGUST 2015
Page 1 and 2: Kenya 2014 FoC Grand mission to mac
Page 3 and 4: 3 1 COW STOPPED 3 MISSIONARIES An e
Page 5: 5 LETTERS TO FoC SOUND BITES SHOUT-
Page 9 and 10: 9 hea ven ly fami ly... In the gard
Page 11 and 12: 11 : Students of Alliance Girls lis
Page 13 and 14: 13 Lydia (left) with some friends,
Page 15 and 16: 15 Kitur In season and out of seaso
Page 17 and 18: 17 ABOUT THE WRITER Sharon Momanyi
Page 19 and 20: 19 MACHAKOS 2014 THE CLIMAX OF THE
Page 21 and 22: 21 STAY RELEVANT! Evaluate your dai
Page 23 and 24: 23 HEALING But unto you that fear m
Page 25 and 26: 25 3 You are not an accident Daizy
Page 27 and 28: 27 FLASHBACK TO FOC KAPENGURIA MISS
Page 29 and 30: 29 UNTIL THEN Life, especially in t
Page 31 and 32: 31 JOIN the FoC MINISTRY Looking fo
Page 33 and 34: 33 5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE CAMPUS A t
Page 35 and 36: 35 We need to look above and say,

The Fountain magazine Issue 03, August 2015

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