LIVING TRUTHS FROM THE PROVERBS

PART 18

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

I. Financial management in a Christians life is something that is very important to God. It is an area of our lives that we can easily lose control over, or, through some discipline, gain control over through the principles of Gods Word. Money can be a blessing, or in many cases, it is a source of bondage in a persons life, whether saved or unsaved, money is a snare to those who do not know how to manage it.

A. Money is not a curse if God is kept in it.

1. Prov. 10:22;

B. Is money the root of all evil?

1. I Tim 6:10;

C. Our attitude towards money is the element that allows us to have proper control of it as Christians.

1. Luke 16:11;

D. It is up to us to desire to serve God with the money that He has given us.

1. Prov. 28:26;

II. Financial bondage: the sick feeling that you get deep down in the pit of your stomach when you sit down to write out the checks to pay the rent, utilities and the rest of the stack of bills that have collected through the mail over the last two weeks and you come to realize that there is no way to cover those bills even with the next two paychecks let alone feed you and your family. God has promised to His people that they can be delivered from bondages such as this if they follow the commandments set forth in His eternal Word. He has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness.

A. There are symptoms of bondage.

1. Prov. 27:12;- Overdue bills.

2. Prov. 28:8; - Being greedy.

3. Prov. 28:20;- I wanna' be rich now!

4. Prov. 3:9-10;- Not giving God His share (Robbing God) Mal 3

III. Riches, prosperity, wealth, all words that we are familiar with. What do they mean? Are they words that should be a part of our lives? Are they words that our Father sees as something in our lives that can destroy us? Yes, God promises prosperity ("...even as your soul prospers." 3 Jn 2) and He even promises wealth; ("Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness." Prov 8:18). So, how does God look at such things as these?

A. Having a perception of Gods view of wealth and poverty may help us to correct some attitudes towards money.

1. Prov. 11:4;

2. Prov. 15:16;

3. Prov. 23:4,5;

4. Prov. 28:6;

B. Gods declares things to those who have riches that are not things to delight in.

1. Prov. 11:28;

2. Prov. 13:8;

C. There are certain doctrines set forth in the Bible that we are to conform to and obey concerning finances.

1. Tithing

2. Borrowing

3. Contractural agreements

IV. The principles of the Word of God are clear and they are there so that we don't have to succumb to financial nightmares. A closer look at Scripture reveals that through obedience to His commandments, we can live free of the bondage that we so often find ourselves in.

A. The number one priority.

1. Prov. 3:9;

2. Prov. 3:4-6;

B. Don't be consumed with the pleasures that money can buy.

1. Prov. 21:17;

C. Co-signing is a dangerous thing. It is a contractual agreement to be responsible for another’s debt should they default.

1. Prov. 6:1-3;

2. Prov. 11:15;

3. Prov. 17:18;

4. Prov. 22:26,27;

V. So what are the methods that we are to use to gain victory over financial management? Does God really care enough to give us some kind of direction to freedom from the bondages that only money can bring?

A. Where do we start?

1. Prov. 1:7;

2. Prov. 3:4-6;

3. Prov. 22:4;

4. Prov. 30:7-8;

B. We need to change our attitudes towards money.

1. Prov. 23:5;

2. Prov. 27:24;

C. Learn prudence.

1. Prov. 6:6-11;

2. Prov. 14:15-16;

D. Plan in accordance with your available assets.

1. Prov. 24:3,4;

2. Prov. 21:17;

3. Prov. 15:22;

E. Use Gods money as He wants you to.

1. Prov. 11:24,25;

VI. The bottom line to financial management is not exceeding the bottom line. In other words the total net income is not to be surpassed by the total expenses that are necessary to live and support the individual and/or his family. Establish a plan for your finances. Determine in your mind that instead of trying to delight, gratify and indulge yourself, that you are going to exalt, honor and glorify God who has given you everything that you have. It is to His purposes that we are to live our lives and in doing so, we will reap the rewards of our love for Him.