Last week, we delved into God’s Development Plan and examined how conforming to the world's way of managing money can hinder God's blessings in our lives. We identified some common pitfalls:
- Spending more than we make
- Not paying bills on time
- Sometimes not paying bills at all
- Neglecting tithes
- Failing to give offerings
- Seeing our money as finite, as if we are solely responsible for making it
This week, let's continue exploring the idea that we often view our money as finite, forgetting God's role in our finances. The Bible presents a radical approach to giving, as seen in the Book of Acts, where early Christians sold their possessions and shared everything with each other. This spirit of generosity went beyond tithing into offerings and more.
Acts 5 tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who sold property but deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds:
"Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.' When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out and buried him." (Acts 5:1-6)
We might not be selling property and lying about it, but we often compromise our integrity in small ways. For instance, sharing streaming service passwords, while seemingly harmless, is technically stealing according to the terms of service. This seemingly minor dishonesty can open doors to greater issues, as John 10:10 warns:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
When we are not faithful in our financial dealings, we align ourselves with the enemy's influence rather than the Holy Spirit. As the Bible says in Joshua 24:15 and Matthew 6:24: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Choosing to serve God with our finances means recognizing that our money is not finite. It's about embracing God’s Development Plan, which leads to prosperity. Just as nonprofits have development managers and businesses have business development teams, God's kingdom has kingdom builders. We are called to be those builders, managing the resources He has entrusted to us.
Proverbs 13 gives us a comprehensive guide on wisdom, discipline, and the consequences of our actions. It's a reminder that the path we choose determines our outcome. Here are some key verses:
Proverbs 13:4: "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper."
Proverbs 13:11: "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time."
Proverbs 13:22: "Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly."
These scriptures highlight the importance of hard work, integrity, and foresight. Today, we face a crossroads: will we choose to follow God's path or continue in financial mismanagement?
Understanding Your Money Personality
To navigate this journey, it’s crucial to understand our relationship with money. According to Scott and Bethany Palmer's book, The 5 Money Personalities , there are five types:
Saver: Thrives on saving money and seeing bank accounts grow. Needs to learn to enjoy spending and giving.
Spender: Enjoys spending and being generous but must learn to budget and automate finances to avoid impulsivity.
Security Seeker: Values stability and a financial cushion but needs to balance security with enjoying life.
Risk Taker: Embraces possibilities and investments but must set boundaries to avoid reckless decisions.
Flyer: Prefers not to think about money, relying on faith it will work out. Needs to automate payments and separate accounts for better organization.
Practical Steps to Financial Health
1. Make a list of all your expenses.
2. Make a list of all your income.
3. Pull your bank and credit card statements.
4. Ensure your expenses and income match the last three months of statements.
5. Save $1000 in a separate bank account for emergencies.
This exercise will help you see where your money is going and how you can better align your spending with God's principles. Remember, money, time, and water follow the path of least resistance. We must direct them intentionally to achieve our goals.
Conclusion
Without a vision, people perish (Proverbs 29:18). We need a clear vision and purpose for our finances, grounded in God's word. Whether you're a saver, spender, security seeker, risk taker, or flyer, God's Development Plan has a place for you. It's not about how much you have but how you manage what you have.
As we apply these principles, may we move from financial chaos to divine order, living lives that reflect God's kingdom values and enjoying the fullness of His blessings.
תגובות