"Facts" About Finances

Introduction

Three phases portray the financial condition of a family: Big bills, Big accounts and Big mistakes. About nine out of every ten people with an income are financial failures (George Bowman. How to Succeed in Money). He means that they fail to manage money wisely.

There is a way to avoid losing everything we have invested in life. God had given us ample principles in the Scriptures to guide us in the way we earn, spend, borrow, save, give and invest money. Luke 19 gave us Biblical guidelines that can help us become wise managers.

I. BIBLICAL FACTS THAT CORRECT WRONG METHODS

Instead of getting into the prophetic significance of Jesus parable in this text, we will be focusing in the practical financial insights that it has offered. There are 7 Biblical faith that correct 7 wrong attitudes commonly held by parents who are negligent in money management.

A. Everything we have comes from God (11-13a)

Mina- equivalent to 3 months wages

Slaves - Totally dependent upon their master for all the provision because they never owned anything...

We too are dependent upon our Master for all we have.

We are stewards of what God has entrusted us, not owners (Deut. 8:11-18)

The Lord expects us to invest His minas wisely.

B. Our business life is important to God (13b)

Business - Gk. pragmateuomai (pragmatic). The master was extremely interested in what become of his money. He commanded his slaves to put his money to practical use.

Many Christian today believe that God is not interested in "secular things" like business, only in "spiritual matters" such as prayers, evangelism and Bible study. Wrong! All of our life is important to God. There is no secular and spiritual distinction in Scripture. Everything is sacred! (Col. 3:23)

C. Doing business God’s way is contrary to man’s nature (14)

Notice that it was not the slaves who complained, but the citizens. Some of the nobleman didn’t want His Lordship. They wanted to be able to conduct their lives as they saw fit.

Today that same attitude is expressed by many who say "Let’s not get Financial - Leave God at Church."

D. Wise management of money pleases the Lord (15-19)

Notice what was the uppermost in the nobleman’s mind when he returned--business! He wanted to know what his servants had done with his money. And the response of slaves: ....

-Your mina- (not my mina) He has the right attitude

Was the master angry when he had invested the money? Of course not! He was delighted and rewarded the slave generously.

(note: the love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6:10a)

E. Poor management greatly displeses him (20-22a)

Some of us might think he didn’t lose the mina. But the nobleman was not please that he has just sat on it. That’s not being wise!

The slave thought he has an adequate excuses for not investing his minas, but the nobleman expose the rediculous of his excuse with a simple financial plan.

F. Financial planning is Biblically important (23)

Good question. And notice that the slave made no reply because the nobleman was absolutely right. The servant did not plan to earn atleast a small interest.

Many of us also sailing like the servant. We are just hoping that someday our ship will turn in and all our financial needs will miraculously met.

G. Financial losses and gains provide eternal lessons (24-26)

Many of us feel that God is being unfair when we see some who is already wealthy receive even more. But God doesn’t play favoritism. He blesses wise management while poor management typically results in losses.

II. SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES THAT MOTIVATE RIGHT ACTIONS

For those who need help in becoming wise stewards with God’s money, here are four sound principles you can take it back.

A. Christ and Caesar are essential...not optional

Matth.22:19-21 - The Pharisses asked Jesus it it was lawful to give a poll tax to Caesar or not.

B. Buying and borrowing call for short accounts ...not long

Rom. 13:8a - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.

What does this mean? Is it wrong to borrow, to take out a loan on a home or business? It would seem so.

In Greek it says "don’t keep owing." In other words, we’re not to keep stacking up loans without ever paying them off. Debt must be paid as quickly as possible, not prolonged.

C. Savings and securities require planning...not hoping

If you are going to have a savings account to build up security for investment, you’ve got to do more than just dream --you need a plan.

D. Things and treasure are temporal...not eternal

The final principle brings a needed warning to all of us. It is easy to become so caught up in the making of money that it becomes our god. The result is that will bow the knee to profit and greed instead of the Lord.

As a safeguard against that kind of attitude, remember these wise words of advise from the Apostle Paul.

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19

God bless!