Program 269
The Significance of Christ’s Last Words

Christ’s final words declared his mission accomplished, his work complete, and the debt was paid in full.

Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of WLC Radio Ministry, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44] 

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

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Part 1: (Miles & Dave)

Miles Robey: At Yahushua’s death, his final words were “It is finished.” What was he referring to? Did his words perhaps have a deeper significance that we haven’t understood before?

Hello! I’m Miles Robey and you’re listening to World’s Last Chance Radio where we cover a variety of topics related to Scripture, prophecy, practical piety, Biblical beliefs, and living in constant readiness for the Savior’s unexpected return, whenever that might be. Today, Dave Wright is going to lead us in a study of the Savior’s final hours, his last words, and just what they mean for believers today.

Later, during our Daily Mailbag, we’ll look at principles for governing personal finances. What, if anything, does the Bible have to say about money matters that can help modern day believers? Then Jane Lamb has a promise for anyone who has ever struggled with feeling guilty or condemned. That’s probably all of us, so I know you’ll want to stay tuned for that.

Dave? I’m going to turn the time over to you now.

Dave Wright: Thanks, Miles.

Death has sometimes been referred to as “the final frontier” in the sense that none of us have ever experienced it. Not really. Oh, maybe someone’s heart stopped beating briefly and medical personnel were able to get it going again, but no one alive today has ever died-died … and come back to tell us what it’s all about.

Nineteenth-century American writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe, put into words that odd fascination many of us feel towards death. He wrote, quote: “The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?” Unquote.

So maybe that’s why there’s such a lingering fascination with people’s last words. At the moment of death, are they able to perceive what comes next? We don’t know.

Of course, believers have an assurance that non-believers don’t have, but the fascination—the dread—continues.

When French philosopher Voltaire was on his death bed, a priest had been called to give him last rites. The priest asked Voltaire if he were now ready to denounce Satan and all his works.

Voltaire’s last words were a humorous, “Now is not the time to be making new enemies.”

Miles laughs: I think priests should get together and make a compilation of all the different “last words” they’ve heard. Jean-Philippe Rameau was an eighteenth-century French composer. Even though a lot of people today don’t recognize his name, he’s viewed as one of the most influential musicians of his time.

Anyway, on his death bed, the priest was singing … something. Maybe a chant or something. Rameau’s last words were a cross, “What the devil do you mean to sing to me, Priest? You’re out of tune!”

Dave laughs: Oh, dear! Another one I’ve read were the last words of General John Sedgewick. He was one of the Union’s most capable generals during the American civil war. Apparently, his aides thought he was dangerously exposing himself to enemy fire and tried to talk him into moving to a more secure location. Sedgewick’s response was, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist—”

Miles laughs: Oh, no! He literally died mid-sentence?

Dave: He did.

Miles: Reminds me of the famous last words of convicted murderer, James Donald French. While he was being strapped into the electric chair, he spoke to reporters who had gathered to witness his execution and said, “How’s this for your headline? ‘French Fries!’”

Dave laughs: That’s awful. “French fries,” of course, being the American term for chips.

Well, again, we’re fascinated by people’s last words. But the most important last words ever uttered were those spoken by Christ on the cross. I want to look at that in context, and let’s see what significance there is for believers today.

Would you please turn to Matthew 27? This is Matthew’s account of Yahushua’s final hours.

The reason I want to go through all of this is that every word Christ spoke on the cross is significant. We’ll look specifically at his final utterance, but everything he said while on the cross is important.

You have Matthew 27? Please read verses 33 to 46.

Miles:

 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Yahushua, the King of the Jews.” 

Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Yahushua cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Dave: All right. There’s a lot happening here. Let’s look at it.

At Golgotha, the soldiers offered Yahushua wine mixed with gall. Gall was a bitter substance made from myrrh or wormwood. It was used to deaden pain.

Miles: So why would he reject it??

Dave: Because gall would deaden all of his senses, clouding his mind. The destiny of the world hung in the balance and Yahushua needed and wanted a clear mind for the ordeal. And we can see where his thinking was in this passage from Matthew 27.

Miles: What do you mean?

Dave: This passage is a fulfillment of prophecy. The fact that Yahushua’s words are actually quoting from this prophecy reveals that he was strengthening his own faith by focusing on the fact that everything happening to him had been prophesied.

If the humiliation and pain being heaped upon him had been prophesied, then his faith grasped that the prophesied ultimate triumph would happen, too.

Miles: Ahhh! I see. That makes sense.

Dave: Let’s look at that prophecy. It’s Psalm 22. As we read through this, I think you’ll see why Yahushua was meditating on this psalm. He may have only quoted a verse from it, but that verse reveals what his faith was grasping onto.

Go ahead. Psalm 22.

Miles:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?

My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
    you are the one Israel praises.
In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame. [Psalm 22:1-5]

Dave: Yahushua is more than our substitute. He’s also our example. When we’re struggling and feeling battered, this is how we’re to strengthen our faith, too. We look at stories of people who have trusted in Yahuwah and He delivered them. Knowing He never changes, this gives us courage that He will save us, too.

Miles: “What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.”

Dave: Exactly. Keep going. Verse six. This gives us a glimpse into the emotions wringing the heart of Christ.

Miles:

But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
“He trusts in Yahuwah,” they say,
    “let Yahuwah rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.” [Psalm 22:6-8]

Dave: This is exactly how the chief priests, and scribes and elders mocked the Savior. So how did Christ strengthen his faith? What words did he cling to for comfort? Verse 9.

Miles:

Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help. [Psalm 22:9-11]

Dave: You can feel how utterly alone Yahushua felt here. Keep going.

Miles:

Many bulls surround me;
    strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions that tear their prey
    open their mouths wide against me.

I am poured out like water,
    and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
    it has melted within me.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
    and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
    you lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs surround me,
    a pack of villains encircles me;
    they pierce my hands and my feet.
All my bones are on display;
    people stare and gloat over me. [Psalm 22:12-17]

Dave: This is a graphic description of what happens physically during crucifixion. Because hanging from the arms would constrict the lungs, people would have to push up against the nails through their ankles in order to breathe. It wasn’t uncommon for someone crucified to finally succumb to exhaustion, lose the strength to push up and ultimately die of asphyxiation.

Miles: That’s grisly.

Dave: It was a truly horrific, evil form of execution. It’s where we get our word “excruciating.”

Keep going. Verse, uh … 18.

Miles:

They divide my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.

But you, Yahuwah, do not be far from me.
    You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Deliver me from the sword,
    my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
    save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

I will declare Your name to my people;
    in the assembly I will praise You.
You who fear Yahuwah, praise Him!
    All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him!
    Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!
For He has not despised or scorned
    the suffering of the afflicted one;
He has not hidden His face from him
    but has listened to his cry for help.

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
    before those who fear You I will fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek Yahuwah will praise Him—
    may your hearts live forever! [Psalm 22:18-26]

Dave: Do you see, by dwelling on this psalm, how very quickly Yahushua’s thoughts turned to faith in the power of Yahuwah and His unfailing promises? This is what strengthened Christ to endure the long hours on the cross while bearing the weight of the sins of the world.

Once strengthened, seeing that the very experiences he was having, the very words hurled as insults, literally everything that was happening in the moment had been prophesied, his faith grasps the promises that Yahuwah has not forsaken him, and Christ’s thoughts turn to the future. Because if you believe Yahuwah’s promises, it doesn’t matter how bleak the present is, you know there’s a glorious future waiting. Go ahead. Verse 27.

Miles:

All the ends of the earth
    will remember and turn to Yahuwah,
and all the families of the nations
    will bow down before Him,
for dominion belongs to Yahuwah
    and He rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
    all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—
    those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve Him;
    future generations will be told about Yahuwah.
They will proclaim His righteousness,
    declaring to a people yet unborn:
    He has done it! [Psalm 22:27-31]

Dave: Again, Yahushua was our substitute but he was also our example. His experience on the cross shows us how to overcome. We are to fix our minds on the words of Scripture. We are to focus on the many promises of Yahuwah. Knowing that He never changes, that His love for us is as strong in our worst times of trial as it is during our happiest days, we can stay strong.

Miles: I find it interesting that this psalm uses the Father’s personal name. We know that, by Christ’s time, the Pharisees had decided that Yahuwah’s personal name was “too holy” to use, so they substituted titles instead. But when David wrote this psalm, around a thousand years before, the Israelites used the divine name.

Dave: I think most instances in Scripture that urge us to, quote, “call upon the name of Yahuwah” are in the psalms.

Miles: Right. And I find that interesting because, as you said, this psalm gives us glimpses into Christ’s thoughts as he hung on the cross. He would know that the divine name is actually a verb-of-being.

As we’ve covered in earlier programs, the divine name itself is a powerful promise.

During creation week, Yahuwah used His own name to speak the world into existence:

Light … BE!
Light was.

Dry land … BE!

Dry land was.

We change the conjugation in English, but in Hebrew it was simply the same word: “Hayah.”

Light … HAYAH!

Light hayah.

That’s literally the verb-of-being that constitutes the divine name.

Dave: That’s correct. Am, is, are, was, were, being, shall have been … all of these variations are in Yahuwah’s name since His very name is a verb-of-being.

Miles: And when combined with our need … it becomes the most powerful promise in the universe. And Yahushua would have known this.

What did he need hanging on the cross? He needed strength to endure. He needed his faith strengthened as well. So, meditating on the divine name gave him that: Be strengthened. Be encouraged. Be hopeful for the future.

Dave: Amen. And these are lessons for us. This is how we can be strengthened and overcome, too, no matter what we encounter in life.

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Job is frequently, and rightly, held up as an example of someone who endured extreme suffering and yet remained faithful to Yah. The prophet Ezekiel is someone else who endured extreme suffering and yet remained faithful to Yahuwah. Many people think of him with amusement as the prophet that had a vision of dry bones connecting with other bones, inspiring an old Gospel song.

But there is much more to Ezekiel than his vision of a valley of dry bones. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Daniel. Unlike many of the prophets, Ezekiel was married. Sadly, his wife died, and she died on the very day that Nebuchadnezzar returned to Jerusalem and laid siege to the city a second time. Eventually, Ezekiel was taken captive to Babylon along with many other Israelites. And yet, through it all, Ezekiel stayed faithful to Yahuwah.

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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)

Dave: Turn now to Luke 21. Each of the gospels adds more details of Christ’s final hours.

We won’t read verses 26 to 43. That’s pretty much a repeat of what we get in Matthew. But read verses 44 to 46.

Miles:

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Yahushua called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Dave: In just a few verses, Luke compresses down about three hours of time. Darkness came upon the land at noon and lasted until Christ’s death at 3 in the afternoon. This was the time of the evening sacrifice and, at the moment of his death, the veil in the temple that separated the holy place from the most holy place was rent in two. This was divinely done, showing that sinners now had a new and more direct way to access the Father.

This is beautiful and worth its own study, but what I want you to notice is that even this part: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” is quoting Scripture.

Miles: Really?!

Dave: Read Psalm 31 verses 1 to 5.

Miles:

In you, Yahuwah, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Yahuwah, my faithful God.

Dave: Again, we see how Yahushua strengthened his faith to endure, and it was by meditating upon the promises of Scripture. This is why almost every word he said was a quote. I think the only exception was when he committed the care of his mother to John, an act that proves Yahushua was Mary’s only child. But everything else was quoting Scripture.

Miles: That’s beautiful. I don’t know why I’ve never known this before.

Dave: Because we don’t know our Old Testament Scriptures the way Christ did. All of these beautiful nuances, all of these extremely important lessons, we’ve missed.

Let’s look now at John’s account. Would you please turn to John 19 and read verses 28 to 30.

Miles:

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Yahushua said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Yahushua’s lips. When he had received the drink, Yahushua said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Dave: So the Savior’s final words were, “It is finished.” I want to spend the rest of our time looking at just what this phrase signifies.

“It is finished” is a translation of the Greek word, “tetelestai” which comes from “teleo,” number 5055 in Strong’s Expanded Dictionary.

Would you please read the definition for us? I printed it out …

Miles: Uhhh … yeah. It says: “To end, complete, execute, conclude, discharge” as in discharging a debt. It’s translated as finish, fulfil, accomplish, pay, perform, expire, make an end, fill up, and go over. “Frequently this word signifies, not merely to terminate a thing, but to carry out a thing to the full.”

Dave: To fully grasp the significance of Christ’s words, we need to look at the Old Testament system of blood sacrifices. These were types, they were symbols, that pointed forward to Yahushua. Remember how John the Baptist referred to the Savior? What did he call him?

Miles: The lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

Dave: That’s because Yahushua was the great antitype. He’s the reality that the types symbolized.

The Old Testament sacrifices were instituted back at the Fall. They predated Moses by millennia. They were all designed to teach the plan of salvation.

Now, you know the feasts of Yahuwah, right?

Miles: Yeah. They’re all spelled out in Leviticus 23. First one is the weekly Sabbath. The rest are annual celebrations.

Dave: Correct. They all teach vast and important truths about salvation. Now, in the fall comes the most important and solemn day in the entire religious year: the Day of Atonement.

Atonement is reparation for an offense or injury. By making reparation, by making “atonement,” two parties are brought back into alignment. You break down the word “atonement” and it means literally at-one-ment.

This is important because with Yahushua’s sacrifice, we are brought back into at-one-ment with Yahuwah.

This was all acted out in types and symbols in the Israelite sanctuary service.

On Day of Atonement, which is always on the tenth day of the seventh month on the luni-solar calendar, the sins of the people that had been transferred to the sanctuary by the blood of animals throughout the year was transferred to the High Priest.

On that day, bearing the sins of the people, he would go into the Most Holy Place. Only on Day of Atonement did anyone ever enter the Most Holy Place, which symbolized the very throne room of Heaven, and only the high priest ever went.

The high priest would then symbolically transfer the sins to a goat that was then taken into the wilderness to die. This is how the sanctuary was symbolically “cleansed” every year on Day of Atonement. When this was finished, the High Priest would come out and announce “It is finished” in Hebrew. He would pronounce a blessing upon the people.

And everyone would rejoice! They knew that their sins were forgiven and that they had a clean slate in the eyes of Yahuwah. It was all very symbolic and very beautiful.

This is what was done in reality at the crucifixion. Yahushua was nailed to the cross mid-morning: the time of the morning sacrifice. Roughly six hours later, at the time of the evening sacrifice at mid-afternoon, he died.

Miles: So, what you’re saying, is that Christ’s Jewish audience would have understood and recognized his words as having significance.

Dave: Yes. Whether they believed in him or not, they would have understood the significance of his words. He was stating that the ancient system of sacrifices had come to an end. It was “accomplished.” There was no more need for blood sacrifices because type had met antitype.

Miles: Doesn’t Paul say something about Christ entering the Most Holy Place by the merits of his own blood?

Dave: It’s actually the author of Hebrews. Why don’t you read that for us? It’s, uh … Hebrews 9, verses 11 to 14.

Miles:

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to [Yahuwah], cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

Dave: And verses 24 to 26?

Miles:

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of [Yahuwah] for us; not that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, he has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Dave: Christ’s words also meant that the special work he had come to do was complete.

In first-century Palestine, when a servant or an employee would be assigned a task, once that work was finished, they’d go and tell the boss, “Tetelestai,” meaning, “It’s finished. I’ve completed the task given me.”

An artist could say the same thing. Unveiling a work of art, he or she could declare “Tetelestai.” It’s perfect; it’s finished. Nothing more needs to be done. It’s complete.

Yahushua was born to complete a specific work. Turn to John 17. This records a prayer just before his betrayal in Gethsemane. What does Christ say in verses 1 to 4? He’s describing his mission here.

Miles:

Yahushua spoke these words, lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your son, that Your son also may glorify You, as You have given him authority over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as You have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yahushua Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do.

Dave: “I have finished the work.” Christ’s mission was accomplished. It was complete.

I don’t think the Savior’s last words were said softly. I think they were a loud exclamation, even a shout of victory. Nothing more needed to be done. His work of redeeming the world was finished.

Probably the most common use of “tetelestai” in Christ’s day was in the area of debt collection. When a person would pay off a loan, their proof would be a receipt that was stamped “tetelestai.” This meant that their debt was paid in full. Nothing more was owed. Their account was cleared. It was proof that the debt owing had been cleared.

Well, apply that to sin. Romans 6 verse 23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” You sin? Your “reward,” your payment for that act, is death. Sin means we’re indebted to Yahuwah. We owe a debt we can never repay.

But because He loves us, Yahuwah worked out a way that the debt could be paid anyway. What does the rest of that verse say? “The wages of sin is death … but …?”

Miles: “But the gift of Yah is eternal life through Yahushua Christ our Lord.”

Dave: Yes. It is Yahuwah’s gift of Yahushua that has paid our debt in its entirety. It’s what has redeemed us.

Think of it like a pawn shop. I don’t know if all countries have these, but basically a pawn shop is where you can take an item—any item, from laptops, to tools, to jewelry or furniture—and they will give you money for it. You then have a certain amount of time to bring that amount of money back and redeem your item. If you don’t come back within the given amount of time, they’ll sell your item.

But you bring back the money lent on that item, you redeem your item, and that’s tetelestai: your debt is paid in full.

Well, as sinners, we owe a debt to Yahuwah.

Miles: Kind of reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer, the line that says, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

Dave: Paul talks about this. Read 1 Corinthians 6, verses 19 and 20.

Miles: All right, uh … “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from [Yahuwah]? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor [Yahuwah] with your bodies.”

Dave: We have been redeemed. The price paid for our redemption? The life of Yahuwah’s own son. With his death, the old system of blood sacrifices came to an end.

Many believers today celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Sunday because they have been taught that the “law was nailed to the cross,” but that’s a misunderstanding. The only thing “fulfilled” at the cross is the system of blood sacrifices that symbolically pointed forward to the Savior. With his death, his mission, his work, was completed. There was nothing more to be done. The sacrifice was complete and our debt was paid in full.

All of this was what was encompassed with the Savior’s triumphant shout, “It is finished.” Yahushua died a conqueror.

Miles: John 3:16: “For [Yahuwah] so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Dave: John 3:17 completes that thought: “For [Yahuwah] did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might be saved.”

Miles: Up next is our Daily Mailbag with a question about biblical principles for establishing personal finances. Stay tuned.

* * *

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* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)

Miles: We’ve got an interesting question coming to us today from Canada which, with the United States, shares the longest international land border in the world.

Dave: How long is it?

Miles: It’s really long: 5,523 miles, or 8,888.4 kilometers.

Dave: Wow!

Miles: Canada is also where Hawaiian pizza was first invented. You know, where they put pineapple on a pizza?

Dave: I’ve heard of it; never tried it.

Miles: Well, that particular abomination was invented in Canada by a Greek named Sam Panopoulos.

Dave: That sounds about right. I can’t picture an Italian putting pineapple on pizza. That would be sacrilege!

Miles: A definite desecration!

Dave: Profanity.

Miles: Sheer blasphemy of a good dish.

Dave: Although, to be fair, perhaps we should try pineapple on pizza before rejecting it?

Miles laugh: Not in this lifetime!

Dave: I’m with you there. So, what’s our question today?

Miles: Well, Craigen and Lisa have a question about money. They’re a young couple just starting out and they’re interested in knowing if there are any Biblical principles they should know with regard to money. They write: “We’ve seen too many marriages strained by finances. What are some Biblical principles to keep in mind regarding finances as we start out our married lives together?”

Dave: That’s a really good question and now, as they’re just starting married life together, is the time to be asking such questions.

The first thing to bear in mind is that money problems are always going to look different to different people. What is a real financial hardship for one person might seem like abundance to another. The point, though, is that if it’s causing you stress and worry, there’s a problem that needs to be resolved, regardless of what the particulars look like.

Miles: Would you say that most money problems come from not earning enough?

Dave: That’s certainly the case sometimes. A person who is earning, say, $20 a day is going to have a much harder time meeting bare necessities than someone who earns, say $400 a day.

But the odd thing is that a person earning $400 a day can still be struggling financially. If a person earns a good amount but still struggles financially, the reason is likely to be due to either a lack of savings for emergencies, or to being deep in debt. For good financial health, you always want to keep your income higher than your outflow. Now, of course, this can be easier said than done.

Miles: It’s easy to think if we just made more money, then our problems would be solved.

Dave: It doesn’t work that way, though. When a person’s income goes up, their expenditures typically go up, too. Instead of keeping their expenditures the same, they start spending more. They go for the more expensive car or the larger house just because they can now, and that touches on one of the biggest reasons most people struggle financially, regardless of their income: greed.

Turn to Luke chapter 12 and read verses 13 through 15. Luke 12:13 to 15.

Miles:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Yahushua replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Dave: Greed is the biggest factor contributing to financial problems.

Miles: How do you define greed? I mean, it’s natural to want to have all your needs met.

Dave: Sure! But that’s not greed. Greed is wanting more and still more after your basic needs are met. For example, you get a promotion and a raise at work. Do you keep driving your old clunker that still runs just fine? Or do you go buy that showy sportscar you’ve been lusting over?

Miles: Oh, yeah. I see. That’s how most people continue to struggle financially even when they get more money. They just spend more.

Dave: Right! It’s greed that keeps them in that same rut.

Warren Buffet. Have you heard of him?

Miles: American investor? Philanthropist?

Dave: Yes. His net worth is a staggering 97 billion dollars and yet … with all his wealth, he still lives in the same house he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. Now, granted, it’s a very comfortable home, but it’s what you’d call solidly upper middle-class. It certainly doesn’t qualify as a mansion!

Miles: So why hasn’t he ever traded up for a fancier home?

Dave: A reporter actually asked him that once. Buffet said, basically, “I’m happy there. I’m warm in the winter, cool in the summer; it’s convenient. How would it improve my life to have ten different houses scattered around the world? If I’d wanted to become a housing superintendent, I could have. But I didn’t want to do that with my life, and I don’t want to have someone do it for me. I’m happy where I am.”

Miles: Wise decision.

Dave: Once all of your needs have been met, then you can pray and ask for guidance on what to do with the rest. But to simply chase after fulfilling your wants will leave you feeling empty and stressed financially.

Money has a purpose, and the smart person will understand what its purpose is. Turn to Ecclesiastes chapter 5. Solomon had some wise words to say about money. Ecclesiastes 5 and verses 10 to 12.

Miles:

Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
    This too is meaningless.

As goods increase,
    so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
    except to feast their eyes on them?

The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep.

Dave: Money is not something that should be desired as an end goal. Instead, we should view money simply as a tool. It can certainly make your life easier, but if you don’t see it as simply a useful tool, it can bring even more stress into your life.

Miles: So, if money’s just a tool for accomplishing tasks, what are the tasks?

Dave: Well, that’s something each of us will need to pray about. It’s going to look different for each person, each family, and that’s why we never want to peer at someone else and judge them. What’s right for them may not be right for us . . . but it doesn’t make it wrong for them. Yahuwah is in control, and He has His people positioned just where He wants them and where they can do the most good. But not everyone is tasked with the same jobs.

Now once you’ve received direction on Yahuwah’s plan for your money, you’re ready to devise a plan.

Miles: Good thinking. You’ll never get financial stability without a plan.

Dave: Again, what’s right for one person may not be for another, so everyone’s plan will look different, and that’s okay! But there will be some commonalities in each plan.

For example, giving to those in need. Helping others. Job was the wealthiest man in the east, but he was also one of the most generous.

Miles: Are you talking about tithe?

Dave: Not necessarily. The modern idea of tithe being 10% of your income which you give to a church is not what tithing looked like in Bible times. In fact, when you study it out, not everyone was required to pay tithe.

But it is important to use some of our money for helping those Yahuwah brings our way. Read 2 Corinthians 9 verses 6 to 8. I think this will clarify it for you: 2 Corinthians 9 verses 6 to 8.

Miles: All right, it says:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for [Yahuwah] loves a cheerful giver. And [Yahuwah] is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Dave: I would add one word of caution. While it’s important to give where you can to help others, it’s also important to provide for your own family, and not deprive them. Sometimes people, for the adulation and respect they get, will give and give and give to outsiders while their own families are in need. But Paul cautions us against that. Read 1 Timothy 5 verse 8.

Miles: Okay, uh … “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Dave: It’s important that we provide to the best of our abilities for our own families. That same chapter, skip back up and read verses 3 and 4.

Miles: “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to [Yahuwah].”

Dave: So, again, don’t deprive your own family just so you can be seen as generous by outsiders. That’s the wrong order of priorities.

Another important point believers should pay attention to is being careful to pay one’s bills and debts. We don’t glorify Yahuwah when we go into debt and then try to wiggle out of it. What does Romans 13 verses 7 and 8 say about debt?

Miles: Uh … give me just a second …

It says: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

Dave: Finally, saving for emergencies is always a wise thing to do. What does Proverbs 21 verse 5 say?

Miles: Um …

All right. It says: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

Dave: If we are diligent in fulfilling our needs and obligations, and seeking Yah’s guidance for the surplice, not rushing about trying to fill the emptiness inside with the latest expensive toy, then these principles can help us solve money issues. The particular details will look different for each person, as each individual’s situation is different, but we don’t have to be slaves to debt.

Miles: Living comfortably within our means is a whole lot better than going into debt acquiring things we don’t really need. Thanks for sharing these principles, Dave. I know they can help us all.

If you have a question, comment or prayer request, let us know! Just go to WorldsLastChance.com and click on contact us.

Stay tuned for Jane Lamb with today’s daily promise.

* * *Advertisement

When the Pharisees wanted to denounce the Savior to the people, they thought they could trip him up by asking him if it were lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. They figured the natural resentment of the populace against paying taxes to a foreign power would make the people turn against him if he said they should, while giving them an opening to denounce him to the Romans if Yahushua said they shouldn’t.

As always, though, the Savior was too wise for them, answering simply, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to Yah the things that are Yah’s.”

We typically focus on the motivation of the Pharisees in trying to trap Yahushua with their question but the Savior’s answer was helpful for many sincere people who wanted to do what was right and were confused over just what the right course of action was. That same confusion exists today.

When your government passes laws that violate Yahuwah’s law, what is a believer supposed to do? Romans 13 has frequently been used to try to compel people to obey the government even when human laws would break the divine law. This is a misinterpretation of this passage, and you need to know the truth. The days ahead are going to require a clear understanding of what Yahuwah’s will is for His children. Don’t be confused by those who would twist Scripture for their own ends. Listen to the previously released radio program entitled “The True Meaning of Romans 13” [Program 10] to learn what you should do when human laws violate the divine law. That’s “The True Meaning of Romans 13” on WorldsLastChance.com. You can also find it uploaded to YouTube.

* * *Daily Promise:

Hello! This is Jane Lamb with your daily promise from Yah’s Word.

Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Michelle Padula certainly understands the importance of a kind, encouraging word! When her daughter, Rachel, was young, she had severe ADHD, or “attention deficit hyper disorder.” It made parenting her extremely difficult. Simply running errands or shopping for groceries were marathons of stress as the young child would see a toy or candy bar and have epic tantrums when Michelle refused to buy them for her. Michelle struggled to remain calm in the face of her daughter’s meltdowns, but it was difficult when other shoppers would stare, snicker, or make not-so-quiet comments about, “If that were my child …!”

Rachel is now a fully mature young woman in her 20s, serving in the United States’ Navy. Michelle is proud of the woman her daughter has become, but the memories of those early years, the struggles of dealing with Rachel’s inconsolable screaming and extreme rages are not easy to forget. Witnessing another child have such meltdowns can trigger a flood of painful memories Michelle would rather forget.

Not too long ago, Rachel was home for a visit before changing duty-stations. She and Michelle were in a store when, suddenly, loud, piercing screams shattered the calm. The screams continued. Rachel turned to her mother and, with horror on her face said, “Oh, my god, Mom! Did I sound like that when I was little?”

Smiling ruefully, Michelle nodded. “Yes, honey, you sounded just like that.” As the two women continued their shopping, they came to the aisle where a young boy was in full meltdown. A young mother in her 20s was calmly telling her son, “No,” while he clawed at her folded arms, begging and screaming all at once. Seeing he wasn’t going to get his way he threw himself down on the floor and began hitting her legs. Michelle saw other shoppers peering down the aisle: the whispers, the judgmental looks, the shaking heads. She also saw sheer misery and embarrassment on the young mother’s face.

Michelle walked up to her, put her arm around her shoulders and said, “You’re doing a great job. It’s going to be all right. Some day he’ll get past this. In the meantime, you’re being a wonderful mother.” She then called Rachel over and introduced her to the mother, explaining that when Rachel had been the boy’s age, she’d been exactly like that, too.

“I know exactly what you are dealing with right now, and I know how you feel,” Michelle said. “It does get better. Believe me, it really does.”

Recalling the experience, Michelle says, quote:

She hugged me back and squeezed me so hard that I knew she was grateful for the kind words of a stranger. At that moment, I could see relief wash over her. Her son stopped screaming for a minute and looked at us with a perplexed expression. His momentary silence gave us a chance to share a few words. The mom went on to tell me that her son had severe ADHD and was also autistic. I told her, “If nobody has told you yet, you are an amazing mom, and you can and will get through this difficult time with your son.” I told her to hang in there, keep up the good work, and know that her son would thank her for being his mom someday.

Then she adds, “Parents who have a child with special needs, or a learning or behavioral disorder, just need a kind word or a compassionate gesture to know that everything will be okay. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.”

Michelle’s story reminded me of the time the Pharisees dragged to Yahushua a woman who had been caught in adultery. She was surrounded by men clamoring for her to be killed. It was humiliating, knowing she was the recipient of judgmental stares from the crowds around. But then she heard the kindest voice she’d ever heard. “Neither do I condemn you.”

In a sinful world, it’s very easy to have regrets: regrets for wrong choices or decisions, regrets for what we’ve done or failed to do. Having others criticize and find fault only makes things harder. When you’re feeling judged and condemned, remember that Christ’s words to the woman caught in adultery are his words to you, too. “Neither do I condemn you.”

Psalm 86 verse 5 says, “For You, Yahuwah, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.”

We’ve been given great and precious promises. Go and start claiming.

* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)

Dave: Believers talk about the significance and the promise of the empty tomb. And they’re right. There is also tremendous significance, immense promise in the Savior’s final words: “It is finished.”

• The sacrifice is accomplished.
• The work is complete.
• The debt is paid in full.

Miles: Being “redeemed” means we are reconciled to the Father.

Thank you for joining us for today’s program called “The Significance of Christ’s Final Words.” That’s Program 269. If today’s program was a blessing and you’d like to share it with others, you can find it on our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Just look for Program 269 called “The Significance of Christ’s Final Words.”

We hope you can join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

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This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage. 

In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.