Surviving Today’s Economic Downturn
5 Financial Principles From the Bible
1. $eek First The Kingdom
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
--Is God the King of your life?
--Is God the King of your paycheck?
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
2. $trategic Planning
Luke 14:28 – 30 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”
-- Do you set financial goals?
-- Do you plan for your retirement?
-- Do you plan for your kid’s education?
-- Do you gain new skills every year?
-- Do you budget?
3. $implify
Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
--We can simply our lives because we don’t have to impress anyone. God is already impressed by us. He values us with the price of His Son. To God, you are worth a Son to him.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
4. $ave and Invest
Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; Consider its ways and be wise.
It has no commander,
No overseer or ruler,
Yet it stores its provisions in summer
And gathers its food at harvest.
-- Do you save? Or, do you buy things on credit?
-- Do you invest?
-- Do you learn how to invest?
5. $hare and Enjoy
Genesis 12: 2 “I will make you a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great
And you will be a blessing.”
Ecclesiastes 9:9 “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given under the sun.”
-- Do you enjoy life with your wife?
-- Do you take vacations?
-- Do you have fun?
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat and find enjoyment.”
