Financial Woes
Proverbs 18:13
Preached by: JB Hall
Introduction: A while back we studied through the book of Job in our adult Sunday School class. One over-arching principle we learned in the book of Job was that life consists of complex issues.
This poses a real problem for those of us in the sound bite generation. When a problem arises, we want to quickly evaluate the problem, arrive at a quick diagnosis, and prescribe a simplistic solution that is easily accomplished.
However, not taking into consideration the complexity of issues that could cause or affect a particular problem will often cause us to arrive at an inaccurate diagnosis and prescribe the wrong solution.
Nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to financial problems. Individuals and organizations, such as churches or businesses, can all experience financial problems. When financial problems come, rather than jumping to quick conclusions and offering a solution that might not fit the problem, we should first make a thorough investigation into the problem to try to determine its source, or cause.
If we can determine what the cause of the problem is, then we can apply the right solution to fix the problem.
This morning we are going to look at a number of causes of Financial Woes. Let’s keep in mind though, what the late Larry Burkett always said. He said that financial problems most often are not the problem. He said that financial problems are usually symptoms of the problem; meaning that usually there are personal internal problems that manifest themselves as financial problems.
Let’s look at some causes of financial problems:
1. Uncontrollable circumstances
A. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
B. Our wisest planning, our most careful efforts to prepare, can often end in disappointment because of unforeseen, uncontrollable, adverse circumstances that are far greater than what we had planned for, or than our ability to prepare for. Medical expenses, auto expenses, home repair expenses, are just a few.
C. I wanted to mention this one first because we are flawed people given to negativity who always want to assign blame to others for their own misfortunes rather than trying to find solutions to our problems..
D. According to Ecclesiastes 9:11, “…time and chance happeneth to them all.” In other words, circumstances can often blitz our best efforts to anticipate and prepare for disaster.
E. While trying to evaluate all the apparent factors that could have led up to someone’s financial problem, trying to blame them, or criticize them for their own Financial Woes is not helpful in fixing the problem.
F. If it is determined that attitudes and/or actions on their part resulted in their current downturn, suggesting ways to correct the problem that led to the financial problem is in order.
G. But, even then, blame serves no useful purpose. It is actually destructive to the one with the problem. They need advice and encouragement; not blame or criticism.
H. An uncontrollable circumstance is one culprit that must be considered in diagnosing the cause of financial woes.
2. Lack of Saving/Over-spending – The two-sided coin
A. We often set ourselves up to fail because we do not save ahead of time for future expenses.
B. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but the foolish man spendeth it up.”
C. We will never experience financial stability until we accept the fact that opportunities will always outnumber our resources.
D. We have bought the false notion that more will make us happier.
E. But, Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase…”
F. You see, in Luke 12:15 Jesus said, “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he posseseth.”
G. The things that promise us happiness only consume our financial resources that, had we saved for future emergencies, would have alleviated the pressure of sudden needs arising without resources to cover them.
H. These “things” never produce happiness, only a desire for still more things.
I. Ecclesiastes 1:8 says, “…the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing.”
J. It doesn’t matter what, or how much we have; we always want more, or something else.
K. Contentment is the foundation for contingency planning.
L. I Timothy 6:6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
M. Proverbs 22:3 says, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
N. This is the principle of advanced preparedness.
O. We’ve already learned that unforeseen financial reversals and emergencies are going to occur.
P. Saving, even if it is small amounts over a long period of time, can alleviate, or at least lessen financial problems when these future needs arise.
Q. If we can curb our spending habits to match our income, we will be able to save.
R. Remember, always try to spend less than what you make.
3. Greed or selfishness
A. One would think that the more you keep, the more you will have. But listen to these scriptures.
B. Proverbs 11:24 & 25 say, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself.”
C. Notice the words in Verse 25 “…shall be made fat…”
D. This indicates that Someone outside the person, and the circumstances he seeks to control, is affecting the outcome of his actions.
E. Luke 6:38 offers these revealing words, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
F. Those who are hoarders, or greedy, do not take into consideration God’s involvement in their financial affairs.
G. While they think they are masters of their own destinies, God is at work making sure they receive the same measure they are willing to mete out.
H. When it comes to giving to the Lord’s work, this principle is very important.
I. Haggai 1:6 says, “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.”
J. This verse is prefaced in Verse 5 and post scripted in Verse 6 with the admonition “…Consider your ways.” We’ll address giving to the Lord’s work more just a little later.
K. Greed or selfishness while seeming to provide more, will result in hard-to-diagnose financial reversals
L. To the outside observer, the cause would appear to be unavoidable circumstances; when in reality it is often the hand of God taking away what they are hoarding.
4. Opportunities for Others to Serve
A. Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
B. In allowing opportunity for the body of Christ to operate as the body of Christ, God sometimes allows someone to experience a deficit in order to allow others within the body of Christ to serve that one.
C. II Corinthians 8:13 – 15 clarify this principle. They say, “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:” “But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:” “As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”
D. II Corinthians 9:7 says, “…God loveth a cheerful giver.”
E. God is a giving God, and wants to build in us a giving, unselfish spirit.
F. The only way to accomplish this is to allow the situation to surface where we have the opportunity to give.
G. There are spiritual blessings that accompany the obvious material blessings to those in need when we give.
H. II Corinthians 9:12 – 13 explain it this way, “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;” “While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them and unto all men;”
I. So, often your Financial Woes may in reality be a God-ordained opportunity for you to practice the spiritual principle of giving, so that you can experience the spiritual blessings that accompany giving.
5. Opportunity for God to teach
A. I Kings 17:8 – 16 (Read) give us a living example of God using a widow woman’s financial problem to do a great miracle for her, her son, and the prophet Elijah.
B. In Verse 9 (Read) we find that this was a God-appointed situation.
C. In Verse 12 (Read) we find the problem.
D. In Verse 13 (Read) we find the test of faith.
E. Notice that she first had to give in order to receive.
F. We have it backward; we think we have to receive in order to give.
G. In Verse 14 (Read) we find the promise of God because of her obedient faith in giving.
H. In Verses 15 & 16 (Read) we find the promise of God fulfilled.
I. The moral of the story? Had she not given of her little, she would never have experienced God’s much.
J. I said earlier we would discuss giving to the Lord’s work in more detail, so let’s do that now.
K. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
L. Here is where our faith, our trusting God to do what He said He would do, comes in.
M. Do you believe God will fully provide for you if you are willing first to give your little to Him?
N. When, like the lady in I Kings, you experience a budget shortfall, are you still willing to give to the Lord’s work?
O. Your actions provide the answer.
P. So, God uses Financial Woes to teach you that the amount you have is irrelevant. It is the amount of faithful obedience you exercise in following God’s instruction that moves the heart and hand of God to act on your behalf.
Let’s see if we can’t identify some solutions to these causes of Financial Woes.
(1) You do not need to attempt some quick simplistic solution without first thoroughly evaluating your personal motives and actions that could have led to the problem. You may need the aid of an independent trained financial counselor to help you accurately identify problems. Being too close to the problem can often cloud your objectivity.
(2) Once you have identified the problem and arrived at the right solution, you must be willing to “take the medicine”.
(3) If the financial problem is due to uncontrollable circumstances, you simply must begin a step by step process to help you get out of your trouble. This process can be long and arduous. Financial Woes that occur quickly, often take a long time to remedy. You must be willing to work patiently toward the resolution.
(4) If the problem is due to over spending and, therefore, too little savings, you must learn the difference between fantasy and reality. Robin Leech used to say something about ‘champagne wishes and caviar dreams’. You may have champagne wishes and caviar dreams but live on a Big Mack and fries income. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
(5) If your problem is due to greed or selfishness, you must understand that all things in this present world will perish when you die or are raptured; that the only thing eternal you can invest your resources in, including your finances, is the Kingdom of God. I Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” To invest in the temporary to the exclusion of the eternal is a foolish venture indeed.
(6) If your financial deficit is an opportunity for others to serve you, let them serve you. If their financial deficit is an opportunity for you to serve them, serve them.
(7) If your Financial Woes are an opportunity for God to teach you the difference between giving from abundance, and giving from a heart of faith, learn the lesson.
Financial Woes for organizations – Financial Woes that occur in organizations can be the cause of unforeseen, uncontrollable circumstances; circumstances that the organization was incapable of planning or preparing for, such as dramatically changing market conditions for a company. However, often the Financial Woes experienced by organizations, such as churches and companies, are attributable to personal motive problems in the individuals responsible for the financial well-being of the organization.
As you can see, the causes of Financial Woes can overlap or occur in multiples. One can affect another. The causes can be quite complex to diagnose; for motives as well as actions must be taken into consideration. Outside objective evaluation can be very helpful, but can often fall short because the motives can remain hidden to the outside observer. Sometimes your problems require careful personal evaluation in light of the Word of God.
Once a cause has been identified and a solution prescribed by the Word of God, you must be willing to “take the medicine”; to do what is necessary to correct the problem or it will persist.
If you are evaluating someone else’s Financial Woes, your purpose in doing so is to find a solution, not to assign blame. Your purpose then, is to help them financially while they implement the solution, and to assist them in implementing the solution; again, not to assign blame or to criticize them, but to lift them out of their problem.
Whether you are the one experiencing Financial Woes, the one violating the principles of the Word of God that will lead to Financial Woes, or the outside evaluator of someone else’s Financial Woes, your actions and motives must be guided by the Word of God, or your conclusions and solutions will be destructive rather than constructive.
