Expert: Phillip Senn - 2/23/2005

Question
HELLO AND GOD BLESS! I WILL TRY TO MAKE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE. I PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION. BUT I DON'T KNOW VERY MANY CHRISTIANS AND SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD TO GET FEEDBACK ON SOMETHING. I'M SINGLE AND HAVE A FULL TIME JOB. I DON'T MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY BUT ENOUGH TO PAY MY BILLS. GOD PROVIDES FOR ME WELL. BUT, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS...LOSE MY JOB, LAID OFF OR GET SICK. THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE BECAUSE OF AN ILLNESS I HAVE...AND I HAVE NO SECURITY MONEY AND NO-ONE ELSE WHO COULD HELP ME. I'M LOOKING TO GET A PART TIME JOB TO SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME. BUT PROBABLY IN A BAR OR SOMETHING NOT GODLY AND AGAINST MY BELIEFS. BECAUSE - I CAN MAKE SOME GOOD MONEY. I KNOW I SHOULD JUST BE HAPPY WITH WHAT I HAVE BUT I FEEL LIKE I CAN NEVER GET AHEAD. AND I'M NOT TITHING MY TEN PERCENT (LESS ACTUALLY)BUT THEN GOD SAYS, HOW CAN I TRUST WITH MUCH IF NOT FAITHFUL WITH LITTLE? MAYBE JUST GIVE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO, & TRUST HIM? I GUESS I'M WONDERING IF I GO AND WORK SOMEWHERE AGAINST WHAT GOD TEACHES IS IT WISE TO DO? MAKE SENSE? WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?  

Answer
I think you are a very perceptive individual, and apparently one that wants to honor the Lord in your giving as well as in your life.

I have always believed, since I have been saved, that it is always proper to allow God's portion to be taken off the top. I was faced with difficult times, financially, several years ago. I decided to honor the Lord first. My wife said it was a bad idea, that we needed to pay the bills first. I told her that the Lord would provide in His time. HE DID! That same week He came through with almost exactly what we needed to pay those bills. Was it because I was obedient? I would rather think that He had already planned on meeting my needs, but wanted to test me.

You have already answered the question about the place of temptation. Any time we seek God's direction, He always provides the information we need. He has already given you the information, and it is your decision as to what you do with it... Honor Him? or follow your own desires. I can assure you that God would want you to look elsewhere for employment... Perhaps a nice restaurant rather than a bar? I know the pay is less, but God would be honored more.

Scripture seems to be clear.. Abstain from all appearances of evil.

I thank the Lord that you are not only seeking His will, but that you seek godly counsel. Scripture says, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of  counsellors  there is safety".(Proverbs 11:14)

I hope this has been helpful to you. I will add the name Yvonne to my prayer list, asking Him to provide the needed finances as well as the wisdom to always seek to honor Him.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn