Mr. Micawber’s Outlook

“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.”

In Ireland, as with other countries with generous social welfare systems, if you’re foolish with your money, it’s often other people rather than you yourself that bear the consequences. I’d hate to go through life depending on the kindness of strangers. So, I try to be sensible. And of course, through our taxes and charitable giving, we can assist others who might genuinely not have the capacity to earn a living.

I do admire those who are exceptionally generous. I remember hearing about a couple back in 1985 who gave the entire house deposit that they had been saving for towards the famine in Ethiopia. This meant them having to begin saving again and delay the home purchase at a time when house prices were rising.

I don’t know how much it was, but hopefully, it inspired other to be more generous. And if everyone was a little more generous, people wouldn’t need to make such sacrifices. Perhaps a time will come when I’ll be a little more systematic about budgeting. Over the years, I’ve often come across computer applications that assist you, such as Microsoft Money, which no longer exists now 😀.

Regarding Scripture, we are encouraged to avoid becoming enslaved by a love for money. Yet, we’re also encouraged to work hard and be industrious. Even Jesus and his disciples had to budget. Judas was their treasurer, so they clearly didn’t constantly give away every last penny that they had. They gave to charity, but they also needed money for their own ministry.

Here are a few interesting verses about money:

1 Timothy 6:6-10
⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I think that the point being made here is not to become bitter and unhappy because you’re not doing well. And not to fall into the trap of gaining wealth through unethical means. But throughout the Bible, those who work hard and do well are celebrated, especially if they love God and love others. And rich people have often been a great blessing to the church and to the world. New Testament examples include Joseph of Arimathea, Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, and Barnabas, who worked with the Apostle Paul. Another example is a Roman Centurion in Capernaum (Luke 7:1–10) who was wealthy enough to build a synagogue for the Jewish community.

And laziness is discouraged throughout the Bible:

Proverbs 10:4
Lazy hands make for poverty,
    but diligent hands bring wealth.

Colossians 3:32
²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

I’ve never been an entrepreneurial type, but entrepreneurial types are largely responsible for the economic success of Ireland and so many other nations. I shouldn’t congratulate myself, thinking that I’m more “heavenly minded” than those who generate wealth. I should just do my little bit to make the world a better place.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Proverbs 12:11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

And then, there’s the Parable of the Talents, which encourages us to use the gifts that God has given to us for good. Here are a couple of hymns that touch on the issue of wealth: