Relief From The Financial Squeeze

“Relief From The Financial Squeeze”

Mike Harris

April 18, 1999

Intro: G.M….. We are learning how to manage the maze of our lives – in this series… Last week-- managing-sex drive…. Today—managing our finances….

None of us here today would say—finances or money is not a major part of our lives…. It is a major part of our lives.. isn’t it? And there’s nothing wrong with that….

As we learned last week-- God has given us these things for our good-- but we also learned that in all the good things that God has given us-- those things also have the potential to be disastrous in our lives if mis-handled or mis-managed…

And our finances or money is no exception.

Gallop poll recently: 64% of all couples argue over money issues….

And … this is also the #1 cause for all divorces… 54% of all divorces are over money issues…

What these couples ought to be saying is “till debt do us part…” J

I read another survey that said that … majority of Americans are dissatisfied with how much money they make….

…doesn’t it feel like the truth—no matter how much you make ----its never enough…

And as is always the case here at Bay Pointe… no matter what subject or topic we are talking about—you’re going to hear me say that God has a plan that works--- God’s plans are always the best for us…

Now—you may be surprise that God cares about and understands your money or financial concerns…

Now—you may have thought before you came in here—that God could give a rip about your finances…. Or for you (for that matter…)

But that is simply not the truth-- You matter to God—and so do your finances… because your finances are an important part of your life…

And God understands this so much … that in the Bible – there are 2,350 verses that deal with money or finances…

In fact—Jesus talked about money more than he did about Heaven… hell … love…. More than any other subject….

Why-- because God understands how much POWER money can have over our lives---if its not managed right.….

And God wants us to manage our finances well--

----in fact did you know that God uses money as a test for spiritual maturity…

(taught in several places.. but Jesus said in …)

“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11 (NIV)

(true riches—spiritual blessings… real wealth…) he’s saying… if you cannot manage (handling) your finances-- why would I trust you with REAL wealth—spiritual blessings….?

So—God wants us to learn how to manage our finances--- so that this works well in our lives…. But he doesn’t just leave us out in the dark….hanging…

n wondering how to do it…

He shows us how in the Bible…. (that’s what we’re going to look at this AM…)

In the Bible – Solomon--- wisest man…. Also wealthiest man (if alive today—his net worth would make Bill Gates look like a poor man)…

--- Solomon in all his wisdom – wrote a book in the Bible—Proverbs…(wisdom)--- look at some of this wisdom---

God’s 5 Financial Principles For Financial Stability:

1. Keep good records. (Principle of accounting)

(this is especially a good principle to be on top of this year—in light of some of the computer glitches they are working on)

“Riches can disappear fast…so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and herds.” Proverbs 27:23-24 (LB)

Ranching was the primary business in those days…. (that’s why he said … know state… condition of your flocks…)

If he were writing this today—“know the state of your STOCKS…”

n This is the starting point…

Now—have you ever felt like this? “I just don’t know where my money goes?” ---- Warning lights….

Reason that many people are in big trouble today is …

SPENDING MORE THAN THEY ACTUALLY MAKE…

--- and easy credit – is one of the biggest causes…

Here’s a formula to think about: “Ignorance + Easy Credit = Disaster”

4 things (experts) we ought to know about our finances:

(1) what we own-- record and value…

(2) what we owe – how much debt..

(3) what we earn—

(4) where it goes—

So – God’s path to financial stability begins with GOOD RECORD KEEPING.

(2nd principle…)

2. Plan your spending (Principle of budgeting)

Someone once said—“Insanity = doing the same ol’ thing you’ve always done and expecting different results to happen…”

God has better advice….

“Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.” Proverbs 21:5 (GN)

KEY: Financial freedom is not based on how much you earn—Its based on how you spend it…

--key is to develop the habit of spending less than you make!