A Money Lesson From John Wesley

May 11th, 2011 | by Victor Tornton |

John Wesley was a Christian theologian from the 1700’s and is credited as leading the Methodist movement. So what could this guy teach you about money? Wesley was actually noted for his simple but profound financial principles. John Wesley is known for the following famous quote “Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can. This quote has been paraphrased over the years to:

Make All You Can

Save All You Can

Give All You Can

So this simple money lesson by John Wesley is summed up by that phrase. This is how he lived his life and it can be helpful to Christians handling money today. Let’s breakdown these three money disciplines.

Proverbs 13:4 (NLV) Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

This Proverbs Bible verses pretty much sums up this section of Wesley’s lesson. Hard work is needed to try to make all you can. If you are lazy and want to get rich quick, you might want to consider this verse closely. The lazy will gain little while those that work hard with prosper. Hard work is rewarded. Two areas to consider in this section of the lesson are the following:

1. Do Not Procrastinate

It is easy to say that we will do this or do that but it is harder to follow it up with action to back the words up. If you are looking to increase your earnings, you just need to jump into action. Many times you find that a little bit of action can lead to many more opportunities than you had though possible when you were still in the talking stage.

2. Not By Any Means Necessary

Make all you can is not a free pass on all things ethical. God wants our work to glorify Him. Christians should think carefully about the steps of action they take to make all they can. There are so many ways to make more money that may be unethical or dishonoring to the Lord. We need to remember to be reflective on our actions so we don’t get caught up in the momentum that pushes us to stretch the rules to make more money.

James 5:1-3 (NLV) Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.

This Bible verse in the book of James shows us that while saving money is useful we are to save with a purpose. That purpose will be talked about in the third part of this lesson in giving all we can. The type of saving Wesley was likely talking about here was not a savings account but being prudent with your spending. Wesley always encouraged setting a budget and staying with it. He kept his standard of living the same year after year so that when he made more money his standard of giving went up. Are you willing to set a goal of not changing your lifestyle as your income rises but instead changing your level of giving? This is the heart of a giver that God is looking for.

Acts 20:35 (NLV)And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLV) As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.

God wants us to be generous to others. The Bible verse above from the book of Acts even tells us we will be more blessed and rewarded for giving to others. How true this is! Have you given to someone that can not repay you? Try this and you will see what God is talking about here.

The 2 Corinthians Bible verse about generosity tells us why we should be generous. Our generosity should result in giving glory to God. How do you give glory to God? Give glory to God in your finances by trusting Him to be your source of strength. Do not fall into the temptation of putting your desires in earthly treasures but seek those heavenly treasures.

John Wesley might have lived well before our time but the lessons he taught about money are a great example for Christians to live by today. So, I encourage you to go Make All You Can and Save All You Can so you can Give All You Can.

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