Marbaniang, Domenic

PSALM FOR THE ONE WHOSE GOD IS MONEY A psalm of Mammon. MONEY is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. It makes me lie down in cozy beds, it leads me by noisy clubs, it restores my flesh. It guides me in paths of money-making for its name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your notes and your coins, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my fawners. You anoint my head with worry; my cup overflows. Surely fear and hypocrisy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of discontentment forever.

1 Drachma was the daily wage of a skilled laborer (Greek Currency) 1 Denarius was the daily wage of an unskilled laborer (Roman Currency) 1 piece of silver (Tetradrachm) equaled 4 drachmas; thus, Judas' 30 tetradrachms equaled 120 drachmas or 4 months' (120 days') labor wages of a skilled laborer. *According to Labor Dept of Delhi government, the minimum wages per day of a skilled laborer is Rs.423; of unskilled laborer, Rs.348, but could be higher than this minimum rate.

"He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Gal 6:8) This speaks in relation to giving to the Lord. Verse 7 instructs us to assist full-time Christian workers and teachers in the ministry by sharing in all good things. Verse 9 tells us to do good to all, esp to the family of believers, whenever we have opportunity to help (and opportunity is precious, the season of sowing). The call is to sow into the kingdom of God in order reap incorruptible harvest. It doesn't say, "Sow your money in order to get a harvest of money!" NO. Rather, it says that he who sows to his flesh (who spends money only on his own personal, family, and business needs) will reap corruption (because everything in this world will be destroyed); but, he who sows to the Spirit, to the work of the Spirit, with faith in the spiritual, for spiritual purposes, to assist the work of God, will of the Spirit reap...

There is a difference between charitable loan and the other kinds of loans. A charitable loan is loan lent to the poor. Interests cannot be demanded on them. The loan is charitable (Exo.22:25) A commercial loan is a loan that someone takes in order to invest it into property or business. The money is expected to multiply through such investment and accrue profit. Interest rates are applicable to such loans. A luxury loan is loan taken in order to purchase things of luxury, not things of need (e.g. HDTV, Cars, etc). Usually, the goods purchased there by either get used up (eaten up) or fall into depreciation, other conditions remaining the same. All loan involves some surety or collateral of some kind, in proportion to which faith and value the loan is lent. The Bible prohibits staying in debt (Rom.13:8) and not returning what is due to the other (Psa.37:21). In the Old Testament, failure to repay could end one up in slavery (Deuteronomy 15:12-18). However, the Bible does encourage ch...

The Bible teaches us the true path of prosperity. The Bible is not poverty minded; in fact, it teaches us principles that will help us live successfully in this world. It teaches us the wisdom and skill necessary to use the world without relying on or being attached to it (1Cor.7:31). If anyone thinks that the Bible does not teach us the wisdom of success, then he may have to throw away a great chunk of the Bible. But, we must not forget some basic principles. Again this is not about some prosperity gospel, but about knowing the way of God's kingdom. 1. Put God First God is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19), but we must remember that He only fulfills the desires of those who first delight in Him (Ps.37:4). If our heart has no interest in the things of God and in the work of God, then it proves that we are not delighting in Him. But, to those who love Him He works all things together for good (Rom. 8:28). But this also means that we seek first...

Published in The Contemporary Christian , Bangalore, 2013. “ Your gold and silver are corroded …” (James 5:3) One of the important assets that Gutenberg’s printing press gifted to modern political economies is the ability to print paper money. The common man usually thinks that paper money is the real money, while in fact it is only a promissory note promising the bearer of the note the payment of the same amount (in coins, if not in gold) by the Reserve Bank. [1] In the past, however, governments did deny such payment in exchange of the notes and one government even made the holding of gold by the citizens as illegal. [2] In his 1885 treatise, Principles of Political Economy, the American philosopher John Stuart Mill confidently described gold and silver as historically more fit to be used as money. In his words, “They were among the most imperishable of all substances. They were also portable, and, containing great value in small bulk, were easily hid; a consideration of much imp...

From the book Principles of Serving God (1999) 1. Never make your financial needs known to anyone but God (Phil.4:19). 2. Never accept money from unbelievers (3Jn. 7). 3. Never expect any gifts from anyone (Ps.62:5). 4. Never allow anyone to control you or influence your ministry by giving you money. 5. Never accept money from those who don't receive your ministry. 6. Never accept money for your personal or family needs from anyone poorer than you. 7. Never be dependent on any man for your financial needs. 8. Never handle God's money in a way that would cause others to suspect mishandling (2Cor.8:20,21). 9. Never be excited when you receive money. 10. Never be depressed when you lose money.