I have never met anyone who doesn’t
want more money. If we’re to live in a civilized society, money drives our
lives, our career and even our churches. Money isn’t everything in life but it
touches everything important in life.
Years ago, I was offended when I heard
that Jesus talked more about money than He talked about love. I said to myself,
“There is no way it can be true.” As
I did my own research, I found out that Jesus talked about money more than
heaven and hell combined. Eleven of the thirty nine parables he told concerns
about finances.
Christians worldwide have a very poor outlook
on money. Either they do not understand the Biblical view of money or they have
not been taught right. It’s amazing to me how people root out their families,
leave jobs, churches, friends and family in the hopes of making just a little
more money! There’s nothing wrong having
financial goals but when we allow money to dictate our lives, we’re out of
balance.
How can we as Christians have a balanced
view of money in our lives? Let me share five principles that might help you.
Provide
for your family. One of our
main jobs as men is to provide for our families. If you’re a woman, your hard
task is to keep the economy strong! While none of us should be spending our
lives in the pursuit of making more money, we are responsible to provide for
our own. One way you can be sure of have more money than you need is to live
the passion God has put in your heart. Don’t
just settle for a monthly paycheck; make God the source of your financial
provision. He is still our “Jehovah Jiri” – the Lord our Provider.
Pay
your bills before time. It’s astounding
how as a nation we’re drowning in trillion of dollars in debt. We’re quick to
point our fingers at Washington but a nation’s debt is a combination of
individual debts. If we want to live a healthy financial life, we’ve got to be disciplined
and pay our bills before it’s due. If you can’t afford, don’t buy it. Plan, save
and wait and you’ll have more than you’ll need.
Be
content. You don’t need more stuff. Let’s say
this together. “I don’t need more stuff.”
What we need is more heart and less stuff. When we’re driven by eternal values,
we will realize that we cannot take anything with us. The only things going to
heaven is souls. Invest in people and your money disease will be healed.
Apostle Paul taught Timothy, “Godliness
with contentment is great gain.” Make some sacrifices today so you can have a
better future tomorrow.
Give
and save. If our goal is to consume every
income upon ourselves, we’re thinking too small. I challenge you to give 80%
away! Money is like seed. The more you plant the more you will have. Unlike taxes,
God only asked for 10% in return. We don’t pay our tithe; we return what
belongs to God. Invest in God’s work and you’ll flourish financially. Make sure
to include Israel in your giving. God said, “Whoever
blesses Israel will be blessed.” Another thing we can do to prosper is to
save. Joseph put away 20% of the harvest in good times to pay for the lean
times and saved a nation. You too can create a financial miracle by saving 10%-20%
off the top of your every income.
Expect
more from God. Billions of dollars are
sitting unclaimed by people who don’t know that they have an inheritance. God has
101 ways to meet your every need. I have a friend whose debt of over $100,000 was
forgiven by the IRS! If you have the right vision for your money to reach the
world, God will make you ruler over much.
Money my friend, is a
neutral instrument. You can use it for God-things or spend it upon yourself. It’s
not more money we need but a better attitude towards it. God wants to give you
more. God sees your faithfulness and He is poised to pour out His financial
blessing upon your life. Make. Save. Give. I’m praying for your financial breakthrough.
“Steep your life in
God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met” (Matthew 6:33 The Message).
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