THE BATTLE TRUSTING GOD WITH OUR FINANCES s Matthew 6:19-24 s Where is your treasure? Here on earth? (v19) Susceptible to loss, thieves, decay. Store for yourselves treasures in heaven where they are not susceptible to any of these things. (v20) s Where your treasure is so is your heart.(v21) s Do we truly have belief/faith in God? If we open ourselves to God we have light but if we see through half closed eyes we live a life in the shadows and dark. (v 22-23) Where is our trust? s You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and Money. (you can t worship both)
THE BATTLE TRUSTING GOD WITH OUR FINANCES s Luke 18:18-23 s Two masters Immediate Gratification (Money) vs Deferred Gratification (Heaven) s The rich young ruler approaches Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life. s Jesus reply Sell all your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and follow me. But he also says you will have treasures in heaven s Jesus is telling the rich young ruler to trade temporary immediate gratification of his treasure for the deferred gratification of his treasures for all of eternity. s He/we aren t being asked to give up anything just to send it ahead to be enjoyed later, forever. s Reference see Matthew 6:19-21
THE BATTLE TRUSTING GOD WITH OUR FINANCES s How Do We Trust God With Our Finances 1. Recognize that God is Worthy of our Trust. s The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6) You can count on God to do as he say. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3) 2. Realize that God Wants You to Live a Full and Abundant Life s I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly John 10:10 3. Substitute Faith for Fear s God has not given us a spirit of fear I encourage you to surrender your fear and place your future into His capable hands. 2 Timothy 1:7
THE BATTLE TRUSTING GOD WITH OUR FINANCES s How Do We Trust God With Our Finances 4. Ask God to Supply Your Needs s If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7 Whatever we ask God in faith and in harmony with His will, he promises to answer. 5. Keep your Heart and Motives Pure s When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3 6. Take a Step of Faith s You see his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:22
The Stewardʼ s Mindset s God created everything. s God OWNS everything. s We are trustees. s A trustee has no rights only responsibilities.
Five Financial Areas FOR YOUR PERSONAL BUDGET s Earning s Giving s Saving s Debt s Spending
Biblical Financial Principles on Earning THE DILIGENT EARNER ONE WHO PRODUCES WITH DILIGENCE AND PURPOSE AND IS CONTENT AND GRATEFUL FOR WHAT HE OR SHE HAS. s Be diligent. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23) s Be PURPOSEFUL. s Serve God. s Provide for ourselves and for those dependent on us. s Be GRATEFUL. Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Biblical Financial Principle on Giving The Generous Giver One who gives with an obedient will, a joyful attitude, and a compassionate heart. We are made to give. We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God is gracious and generous. We will lead more satisfied and fulfilled life when we give to others.
God Wants Us to Give: s As a response to Godʼ s GOODNESS s To focus on him as our source and security s To help achieve economic justice s To bless others s To break the HOLD of money
Biblical Financial Principles on Saving The Wise Saver One who builds, preserves, and invest with discernment. s It is wise to save. In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but the foolish devour all (they have) Proverbs 21:20 s It is sinful to Hoard. Yes a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth, but not have a rich relationship with God Luke 12: 16-21
Biblical Financial Principles on Debt The Cautious Debtor One who avoids, entering into debt, is careful and strategic when incurring debt, and always repays debt. s Repay debt. do not say to your neighbor, Come back later; I ll give it tomorrow when you now have it with you (Proverbs 3:28) s AVOID debt. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7)
Spiritual Dangers of Debt s Presumes on the future s Denies God the opportunity to TEACH US s Fosters ENVY and greed
Biblical Financial Principles on Spending The Prudent Consumer One who enjoys the fruits of their labor yet guards against materialism. s Beware of idols. Where you spend your money can become your idols. s Guard against GREED. Beware! Don t be greedy for what you don t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own (Luke 12:15) s Be CONTENT. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Phillippians 4:12-13)