A. WHAT IS MONEY?
Money is power.
Money is choice.
Money is freedom.
Money is happiness.
Money is future.
Money is life.
B. YOUR MONEY AND YOUR FAMILY.
1. You cannot take it with you, because it’s not yours. All money belongs to God. You have custody of money on earth; like a custodian in a school building, it’s not yours, but you must keep it clean, useful, repaired, and remember who uses it and why.
Stewardship is proper management of your resources (time, talent and treasure) for God-given goals.
2. A steward is a financial custodian.
a. You are to leave (contribute) more to your family than you were given.
Don’t be a consumer in life.
Be a contributor to God’s program.
b. If you spend all you get, even if you think you need to, you are an unwise custodian.
c. If you spend all without making a contribution to God’s program, your family and your future; you are an unwise custodian.
d. If you are slipping continuously into debt, you are an unwise custodian.
3. Money principles that work.
a. Spend less than you take in.
b. Make it a priority to get out of debt. (Take a small step with each paycheck to get out of debt).
c. Pour assets not just money into your family so they can partner with you to serve God.
d. Set two money goals in life.
How you will gain.
How much you will attain.
e. Save something for the future. (Even a little is better than nothing).
f. What happens when you have no financial goals?
1. Spend aimlessly on self or others
2. Become a workaholic
3. Lazy
4. Lose ambition, goals and desire
5. Undisciplined
6. Forget about God
4. Creating a financial life-plan.
a. Commit 10% to God so you will have:
(1) Spiritual growth
(2) Protection
(3) Blessing.
b. Find a work of God on earth that will carry out your dreams and give to it.
c. Make a “financial dream” for your family.
(1) Spouse: to carry on adequately without you.
(2) Children: to become self-supporting contributors to life who are spiritual, happy and equipped to do God’s will.
(3) Brother/sister: to live by the same principles as you.
d. Your financial dreams must have 4 ingredients:
(1) What: the dream must have substance.
(2) Plan: how you are going to get there.
(3) Pledge: a commitment to get started.
(4) Discipline: the strength to follow through.
You have no power to make financial dreams come true,
Until you make a commitment what you will do.
C. SEVEN THINGS I WANT YOU TO DO WITH THIS LESSON.
1. Take control of your money.
Stop looking at things.
Start thinking about the meaning of money.
2. Spend less than you get.
3. Get out of debt. “Whatever you choose to obey becomes your master” (Rom. 6:16, LB).
4. Learn how to manage your life/money.
5. Begin saving something for the future or yourself and family.
6. Get a financial dream.
7. Make a life-commitment to the dream.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
