When we put God first in our lives, then we won’t become attached to money and material possessions. We’ll be willing to give whatever He puts in our hearts to give.
Jesus uses parables regarding financial stewardship to teach us about the importance of developing Godly qualities such as perseverance, discipline, charity, compassion, sacrifice, integrity and honesty. Money is an ideal training tool because God knows “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). And so, for the Christian, the goal of stewardship is much greater than simply paying your monthly bills. The goal is preparation for eternity.
Steward vs. Owner
We must realize that we don’t really own what we have; everything is a gift from God. We call ourselves stewards, but sometimes we have the tendency to act like the owner; however, a steward is someone who manages property for someone else.
Avoid Waste
In John 6:12, after Jesus fed the multitude He told the people, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted.
Pass the Tests
Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
This scripture shows us that God watches us to see how we handle our money before He releases other things into our life.
There are two specific tests that we all need to pass when it comes to finances: how we act when we don’t have money, and how we act when we do.
Phil 4:12 (NIV)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Our Relationship with God
1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to
be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so
uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides
us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to
do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for
themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that
they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
4 Principles to Live By
Principle #1: Work
If you want to receive a breakthrough in your finances, you’re going to have to be willing to put in some hard work.
DEUTERONOMY 8:18 NIV
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
TITUS 2:9-10 NIV
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
I think this is an awesome scripture. It clearly says we are to do a good job, don’t have a bad attitude and don’t steal from our employers—not even small things, like pens, paperclips or other office supplies.
Principle #2: Give
The best way to be happy in this life is to be a blessing to other people.
LEVITICUS 27:30 NIV
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
LUKE 6:38 NIV
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Principle #3: Save
If you’re already tithing and giving 10 percent, I recommend taking an extra 10 percent each paycheck and setting it aside as a personal savings. If you can’t save that much, then start somewhere—even if it’s only 10 cents a month. Start small and save more as you can.
DEUTERONOMY 28:8
The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Your storehouse is your savings. It’s where you store up what God has blessed you with. It might be a piggy bank, a savings account or an envelope in a drawer. Whatever you want to call it, that’s your storehouse.
If you will be diligent in saving, God’s Word says He will command blessings upon your storehouse. God may cause people to give to you. You might get overtime at work or an extra bonus. However He chooses to do it, God wants you to trust and expect Him to fulfill His promises in your life.
Start saving and let compound interest do its magic.
HEBREWS 12:11 NIV
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Principle #4: Spend
First, ask God to help you and give you wisdom with how you spend your money. Listen to His still, small voice in your heart when you buy things.
Second, only spend what you are able to afford.
5 Practical Steps to Financial Freedom
Step 1: Know the condition of your flocks.
PROVERBS 27:23-24 NIV
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
It’s important to know what money is coming in and what’s going out when you are spending.
It’s important to have a plan. Know the steps you are going to take to pay off your debt, save money and get to a place where you can live in freedom.
Step 2: Don’t buy things you don’t absolutely have to have or really need.
Step 3: Get credit cards under control.
You shouldn’t have them if you can’t control what you spend and if you can’t pay them off at the end of the month.
Consumer debt is the worst kind of debt because you’re spending tomorrow’s prosperity today.
Step 4: Pay off your debt
STEP 1: List all of your debts from smallest to largest and pay them off in order. Don’t worry about interest, unless you have two debts that are the same amount. Then you’ll pay the one with the larger interest first.
STEP 2: Work hard on that smallest debt and simply make minimum payments on the rest.
STEP 3: Once you pay off a debt, add what you were paying to the next debt, and so on… Pretty soon you’ll only have a couple debts left and enough money to pay them off quickly.
STEP 4: Once you pay everything off, with the exception of something like a mortgage or another high debt like student loans, start on an emergency fund.
STEP 5: Your emergency fund should be at least $1,000. This is the fund I was talking about earlier. With this fund, whenever a need arises, you’ll be prepared for unexpected needs that must be met.
STEP 6: After you’ve done all that, start saving for six months of living expenses. In the unfortunate circumstance that someone loses a job, you and your family will be able to live comfortably while you look for a new position.
STEP 7: At this point, you’re ready to pay off those high debts and start paying cash for everything.
Step 5: Invest
ECCLESIASTES 11:1-2 NIV
Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
Reference:
http://www.joycemeyer.org/content/downloads/finance/Personal_Finance_Booklet.pdf
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