Financial Management
Thesis: Being willing and able to manage our finances honors God and spreads his kingdom.
Texts:
Matthew 6:24-34
24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life£?
28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Luke 6:38 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.”
Introduction: I recall from the past and old song that went something like this “What the world needs now is love sweet love.” I hum it every once in a while and think but today I they would say, “What the world needs now is money sweet money.” Scott Titus said, “Its been said that the average American spends half his waking hours thinking about money.”
Finances – money – cash – the green stuff have torn apart many relationships in our culture today. There has been misunderstandings of financial resources and misappropriation of financial resources. This preoccupation with money has created some startling results in our world today listen to just a few that where mentioned by Scott Titus:
Nearly 80 percent of all divorced couples between the ages of 20 and 30 list financial difficulties as the primary cause of their separation.
Consumer debt is at an all time high-currently over 1.4 trillion dollars.
Us Credit card debt is over 500 billion dollars, and according to the Federal Reserve, American consumers add almost $5 Billion dollars a month to their credit card debt.
In the past ten years, credit card balances have increased a staggering 163%.
Even some of the most dedicated Christiana are facing the difficulty of overextended credit and bankruptcy. Last year alone 1.3 million personal bankruptcies were filed. Most people like you and me.
The nation’s debt is climbing. Prices are climbing, and suicide rates are climbing.
T.S.- Our world is being destroyed because finances are not being used according to the plan and purpose of God. God desires us to manage our finances His way not our way. So lets learn financial management God’s way.
I. What is God’s purpose in allowing this world to have money and use money? Dr. John Morgan gives us 6 reasons for God’s purpose for finances:
a. To grow us spiritually.
i. Luke 6:38 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.”
ii. Illustration from Leadership/Melvin Newland;
Leadership Magazine carried a story about 4 young men, Bible College students, who were renting a house together. One Saturday morning someone knocked on their door. And when they opened it, there stood this bedraggled-looking old man. His eyes were kind of marbleized, & he had a silvery stub of whiskers on his face. His clothes were ragged & torn. His shoes didn’t match. In fact, they were both for the same foot. And he carried a wicker basket full of unappealing vegetables that he was trying to sell. The boys felt sorry for him & bought some of his vegetables just to help him out. Then he went on his way. But from that time on, every Saturday he appeared at their door with his basket of vegetables. As the boys got to know him a little bit better, they began inviting him in to visit a while before continuing on his rounds. They soon discovered that his eyes looked marbleized, not because of drugs or alcohol, but because of cataracts. They learned that he lived just down the street in an old shack. They also found out that he could play the harmonica, & that he loved to play Christian hymns, & that he really loved God. So every Saturday they would invite him in, & he would play his harmonica & they would sing Christian hymns together. They became good friends, & the boys began trying to figure out ways to help him. One Saturday morning, the story says, right in the middle of all their singing & praising, he suddenly said to them, "God is so good!" And they all agreed, "Yes, God is so good." He went on, "You know why he is so good?" They said, "Why?" He said, "Because yesterday, when I got up & opened my door, there were boxes full of clothes & shoes & coats & gloves. Yes, God is so good!" And the boys smiled at each other & chimed in, "Yes, God is so good."
He went on, "You know why He is so good?" They answered, "You already told us why. What more?" He said, "Because I found a family who could use those things, & I gave them all away."
b. To finance His earthly ministry.
i. Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
c. To unite Christians that have needs with those who have surplus.
i. II Cor. 8:14,15 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
d. To clearly reveal God’s infinite power
i. Deut. 8:18 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 forefathers, as it is today.
e. To help give direction in life
i. Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
f. To fulfill God’s promise to supply our needs.
i. Matthew 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
g. God has a different purpose for our finances than what we have been taught from our society. When we learn the true purpose of finances then finances will no longer control us and destroy lives. But we have to ruthlessly change our mindset on financial matters.
T.S.- There are two major keys to financial management God’s way and to financial freedom. The first key is we need to budget.
II. Budget – Yes, I said it – No, it’s not a four - letter word.
a. Why should we budget?
i. Because you will use you money appropriately and wisely.
ii. Because we need to relentlessly remove debt from our lives.
1. We need to recognize our limits.
2. We need to formulate a plan to remove debt and live with in a framework that produces freedom.
3. To do this we have to design a plan for financial freedom.
b. How to budget?
i. Evaluate where you are currently in your finances.
1. Most people in the church today only give 2.5% of their income to the Lord. Have you ever thought that because you do not budget your money that it affects the Kingdom of God.
2. Many say they cannot afford to give. I respond you cannot afford not to give. Here is why? Have you have pondered the thought that because you don’t give to the church that you are actually stealing from the Lord. See Malachi 3 for God’s view of not tithing.
3. Have you ever thought that because you do not give to the Kingdom of God that it is hindered in what it could do.
4. This is why we need to become good stewards of our finances. This means we have to learn to budget- God’s way.
ii. The first thing you need to do before you can formulate a budget is to get a realistic view of were you are at.
1. Here are some easy to fill out forms to discover your current financial condition.
a. Show handouts and overheads:
i. Assessing your net worth.
ii. Assessing your spending history.
iii. Forming your budget worksheet.
b. See overhead from Larry Burkett on percentage guide for Family income.
iii. To evaluate if you are in financial bondage see Dr. Morgan’s list of Danger signals of financial bondage.
1. See overhead.
2. Also a overhead from Larry Burkett called “From Financial Bondage to Financial Freedom.”
iv. Then formulate a budget that is realistic and attainable- for help with this check out Larry Burkett’s book “More Than Finances.”
1. Show graphs and other insightful helps.
2. Show book.
c. Live within your budget have the right mindset.
i. Contentment mindset verse consumerism mindset.
1. Farley states, “Opportunities to be a friend of the world abound. However, because love of the world separates us from God, every Christian who wants to be a friend of God must increasingly overcome the enticements of the world” (31).
2. I John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
3. He adds, “We must grasp a simple truth to understand what Scripture means by loving the world. Whatever I trust to provide ultimate happiness is my real god, and I will love it and serve it” (32).
4. Titus says, “No amount of money can buy financial freedom.” I say, “No amount of stuff can bring fulfillment and happiness in life.”
a. Our society screams at us everyday “Buy this and you will have it all.” But you buy it and discover you are still not satisfied. It’s a ruthless circle to con people into debt to make other s rich who still are not happy in life.
5. He also adds, “Contentment is knowing that you are in the will of God and that you are using all your resources for His purposes.”
a. This is where true contentment and peace come from.
ii. Greed verse need
1. Farley notes, “Rather, it is the lust that makes me worldly, a lust that is energized by the lie that something other than God can satisfy” (32).
2. Zechariah 10:2 The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
3. Revelation 17,18 paints a picture of the world as a seducing harlot. Harlots seduce with lies and pleasure that is short lived and then emptiness follows.
a. The world of greed is just like a harlot.
4. One way to get out of debt is to quit borrowing more and more money. It’s usually driven by greed not need.
a. Be frugal-purchase what you can afford.
b. You will never get ahead by going further into debt or refinancing all the time.
c. Larry Burkett reminds us: God’s word is sure and certain on this particular subject (Paying debts). When money is borrowed, there’s an obligation to pay it back, no matter what. To become debt free, it may be necessary to sacrifice, including eliminating all credit or selling your second car. It may mean repairing the refrigerator or washing machine instead of buying a new one. Do whatever you must to bring your debt under control; determine your priorities; and stick to them” (156).
iii. Discipline verse irresponsibility
1. God desires discipline but discipline really comes from growing more intimate with the Lord.
a. Farley notes, “Using willpower to overcome worldly seduction is like telling a man who has gone without water for three days to control himself and quit being thirsty…the worldly man is convinced that popularity, success, or wealth will slake his thirst. But these are like spiritual salt water: They just make you thirstier” (32.
b. P.T. Forsyth stated, “Unless there is within us a yearning for that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us” (33).
2. How to know if you are financially irresponsible?
a. Do you place more faith in your material possessions than you do in God’s provision?
b. Are you enveloped in greediness which means your always wanting the best and thinking you deserve it?
c. Do you value your money above God?
d. Do you have a get rich mindset?
e. Do you have to delay paying bills by borrowing more money so you can pay them?
f. Do you frequently have overdue bills?
g. Are your family needs not being met?
h. Do you have to over commit to work?
i. Do you go on binges of self-indulgence placing yourself further in debt?
j. Do you have a lack of commitment to supporting God’s work with your finances?
k. Do you compromise your integrity in the financial realm?
l. Do you fail to invest in the future- in eternity?
T.S.- The 2nd key to success with the Lord in giving and financial management has to do with honoring and loving the Lord.
III. Honor God with your finances.
a. Honor him with your first fruits.
i. Larry Burkett states, “A verse in Proverbs says that God has asked for our first fruits: the first and best of all that we receive. That means that we should tithe from our total gross income before taxes. Any profit made from the sale of a home ought to be tithed upon, because it is, in fact, part of the first fruits. Other parts of our first fruits would be inheritances, insurance monies, dividends, and interest. These are all parts of our increase. A farmer first sets aside a portion from the harvest for seed to plant the following year. If he didn’t, he would have another crop. As Christians, our tithes are like seeds. Clearly, if we give to God the first part of everything that comes into our possession, we are honoring Him. It is an attitude of giving. And it is only by honoring the Lord from the first part of all we have that God can take control” (196).
ii. You honor God by giving tithes and offerings to his work.
1. See Malachi 3 for more insight on this truth.
iii. God promises to bless those who honor him. Listen to these success stories of the rich and famous;
1. One Famous Business man: About a 100 plus years ago a young man had to leave home because his family could not afford to feed and house him. On his way to his future he meet an old friend who was captain of a canal boat. The Captain asked where he was off to. He replied, “I don’t know.” He told him it was good to be on his own but he had to start out right and if he did that he would be fine.. The young man responded that the only trade he knew was soap and candle making. The canal captain said that’s enough “Lets pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom and insight and then off you will go.” So they prayed and the Captain prayed that William would be the leading soap maker in New York.” The boy was excited, the Captain told gave him some more advice. He told him to give his life to Christ and make sure he gave the Lord all that belonged to Him. He explained to him about tithes and offerings and then exhorted him to make an honest soap and have integrity. He ventured of to New York found employment with another man in soap making and soon after years of hard work became a partner with the man. The man passed on and he became the sole owner of the business. He always remembered to give ten cents of every dollar to the Lord from the first dollar he made. When he became more and more wealthy he instructed his book keeper to keep a line item account where his ten percent of his gross always went to the “Account with the Lord” this money always went to the Lord’s work. He prospered quicker than he could have ever imagined. He then instructed his bookkeeper to give the Lord’s account 20%, then 30%, then 40%, then 50%. He educated his family on giving to the Lord, he told everyone the reason he was a success was because he honored God first. He accomplished all his plans for his life. He continued prospering so much that eventually he gave most of his income to the Lord’s work. He ended up toward the end of his life giving away millions of dollars to the Lord’s work. His name became famous all over the world and he gave God the glory. His name was William Colgate.
2. A young man accepted the call to become an African missionary but found on further examination that his wife could not stand the climate of Africa. It made her very sick. He was heartbroken, but he prayerfully returned to his home and determined to make all the money he could to be used in spreading the Kingdom of God all over the world. His father, a dentist, had started to make on the side, an unfermented wine for communion service. The young man took the business over and developed it until it assumed vast proportions-his name was ‘Welch,’ whose family still manufacturers ‘grape juice’ He has given literally hundred of thousands of dollars to the work of missions by way of offerings and has faithfully tithed to the church of Jesus Christ.
3. Starting poor but honoring God. Someone says that tithing is only for the rich. But we have never heard of a rich man or women commencing tithing, but we can name scores who began to tithe when they were poor and then became rich:
Mr. Crowell - founder of Quaker Oats Co.
Mr. Colgate- founder of Colgate Soaps, etc
Mr. Proctor of Ivory soap fame
Mr. Matthias Baldwin of Baldwin Locomotive Industry
R.G. Le Tourneau – founder of a large earth moving business
John D Rockefeller Sr. – multimillionaire
Richard Devos – Founder of Amway
Conclusion:
Financial management is all about your faith walk with the Lord. The more you become intimate with Him the more the things of this world have no power of you.
Larry Burkett reminds us, “Since finances is one of the most often discussed topics in the New Testament, it would seem obvious that God would use that area to test our obedience to Him. We must come to the point that God’s approval is more important than the world’s riches. Being obedient means being willing to do what God’s Word says, regardless of the cost. Then, and only then, will the full measure of God’s peace and power be experienced” (40).
Proverbs 3:13-24: Reminds us that if we honor God with our finances He will bless us.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
This all can be yours when you learn to manage your finances God’s way!
Altar Call:
How many here this morning would like to manage their finances God’s way? Raise your Hands. You can put them down.
Here is our challenge to you from New Life Community Church – If you have never tithed to the church before and you decide to start and you do it for 3 months faithfully and you at the three month point do not feel that God has blessed you then we will refund all the money that you have given over the last three months.
How many know you need God’s help to do this raise your hands. Lets Pray for God’s help!
