Financial Management God Style
The Bible teaches us about every facet of life including how to be financially smart. God owns everything we possess and gifts it to us. We work hard to gain earthly things and should give praise to God for allowing us to have such things as homes, cars, money, personal belongings and other wants. He also supplies our needs and has warned us against the love of money and putting idols before him. Below I have written five principles listed in the bible that we can apply to our financial planning, budgeting and goals we desire to meet.
1- We must acknowledge that God is the source of all things we own and possess. Philippians 4:19, states that “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Giving it all to God allows us to be blessed tenfold, hundred fold and even higher. He delivers our needs and gives us the support to work towards our wants. We must keep in mind that as quickly as we achieved all these things, they can be taken away.
2- Giving to others in need is essential to prosperity and financial freedom. God gave the ultimate gift in his only son Jesus Christ so that we too shall have all we need upon death. We achieve that goal by asking Christ to take over our lives, submitting to his will and guidance. In Luke 6:38, it states that we should “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that you meet with it shall be measured to you again”. God wants us to give, help and spread our bounty to others as he has rewarded us for good service, measures and blessings.
3- Saving your money is a good good foundation for financial success. God wants us to be smart with what we have. He wants us to prepare for the future by holding on to a portion of our gains for future use in good works. In 1st Timothy 6:18-19, it states that “they are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future. So that they may take hold of what is truly life”. The key word here is foundation and nothing can be built or maintained without a solid foundation. Jesus is our rock for which we build upon, keep that mentality when building a reserve for a future foundation of success.
4- Staying out of debt is a sound financial strategy for success. To have things in life we have to borrow money. Borrowing money is often an overwhelming burden that leverages our future if we get too far in debt. Paying cash for things from savings and maintaining a low debt ratio is key to financial freedom. Manage your debt to purchases you must make and avoid overspending of credit cards and taking out loans. Most folks are a job loss, death or accident away from ruin if they are overloaded with high debt ratios. Keep debt simple and never overburden your family with spending that places you at risk of financial freedom.
In Romans 13:7, it states that we should all “pay to all what is owed to them; taxes to whom taxes are owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed”. Proverbs clearly defines what has happened in the world when it comes to bad debt like college loans, home loans, car loans and other decisions that could be put off until folks are better prepared using the three rules above to take on debt. Proverbs 22:7, states that “the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave to the lender”.
5- Working hard will help you to build financial freedom designed to meet the previous four rules. God specifically addresses how hard work pays off for those that are not lazy or weary of working hard. Proverbs 13:, states “ the soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the souls of the diligent is richly supplied”. Depending on others to meet your needs leads to poverty, poor conditions and struggles in life. Many people who choose to be lazy and live off of others complain about equality and equity, but often, but not always have prepared for or are willing to work hard to achieve financial goals.
6- The last rule of financial freedom is to always seek God’s counsel and guidance with financial decisions. This can be about moving jobs, buying homes, purchasing cars, taking on debt and figuring out a plan for financial freedom that meets all the above rules. lst Peter 5:5, states that “as for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life”.
God knows all and knew us before we were born. He knows how the desire for riches, needs and wants affects our day-to-day lives. He knows the power it can have and maintain over our lives. God wants us to be successful and has given us these basic financial freedom rules that we can apply daily, weekly and monthly to attain our goals, while also keeping God first.
I close with a few more bible verses applicable to money and how we are to manage it within our spiritual and physical life. Use these rules of financial freedom and see what happens. Allow God to manage your money decisions, give to others, save, work hard, be smart and stay out of debt. It will change your life and bring you closer to God.
Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.
2nd Corinthians 9:8,"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”.
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