by: Mary Keenan
The parable of the talents clearly reveals that God owns it all. God, as the owner, has rights and we as the manager have responsibilities. As an example, if you own your own home, take a walk around your property. Reflect on how long that dirt has been there and how long it will continue to be there. Then ask yourself if you really own it or merely possess it. You may have title to it, but that title reflects your right to possess it temporarily, not forever. Only God literally owns it forever. Believing this frees us to give generously to God’s purposes.
Not only is every giving decision a spiritual decision, but every spending decision is a spiritual decision. There is nothing more spiritual than buying a car, or food, paying taxes, taking a vacation or paying off debt or saving for the future. These are all uses of His resources. The Bible reveals many specific guidelines as to how God wants His resources used. As a manager or steward, we have a great deal of latitude in our spending decisions, however we are responsible to the Owner. Someday we will give an accounting of how we used His resources.
Take a look at your checkbook, credit card statements and cash spending. What do they reflect? What do they say about your goals, priorities, convictions, relationships, and even the use of your time? Are you being a good manager of His resources?
True financial freedom comes from applying biblical principles to your finances, adopting a non-consumptive lifestyle, avoiding the use of debt and setting long-term financial goals. The formula is very simple – spend less than you earn and do it for a very long time. Living by this principle will create financial margin in your life. When you have financial margin in your life, you are free to answer God’s call on your life to go somewhere, do something or give more of your resources. There is no greater joy.
So, I challenge you to do whatever it takes to get your finances in order so that for every dollar that comes into your world, you first give, then save, then spend. It will serve you well for a lifetime and God will honor it.
6 comments:
Mary-
Can you give me some examples of "long-term" financial goals? Should I have "short-term" financial goals as well?
Long-term finacial goals would be saving for retirement, or a child's college fund, or purchase a home. Short-term goals are also important. Short term goals may be saving for an automobile, setting aside money in an emergency fund that would cover 3 months of living expenses or saving for a vacation. The goals should be written with steps on how they are to be achieved and include a date on when you plan to attain the goal.
If I find myself with credit card debit, should my first "goal" be to get myself out of that before I start saving for an emergency fund, car, education, etc.?
We almost flaked on coming last Sunday. We are at a crossroads as 67 is on the horizon. We're sitting on a pile of "lazy" equity that needs to work harder and thinking of buying a loft. In fact, we were discussing making an appt with a new broker to overhaul our portfolio on the way to church. Problem is I'm not to keen on brokers anyway(sorry, I just couldn't resist). Needless to say we felt like the message was just for us. We'd like to make an appointment ASAP. Please send your contact info.
Start saving for an emergency fund before you pay off the credit card debt. It is important to continue to make at least the minimum payments on the credit cards and to pay them on time. The reason for creating the emergency fund first is so when something unusual happens like the car breaks down or you need to unexpectedly replace an appliance, you will not need to go into debt to bail yourself out. Once the emergency fund has been established, then you can pay off the credit card debt.
Big O
Go ahead and give me a call at home in the evening. My phone number is in the church directory. I am not a broker or financial planner, however I will be glad to chat with you.
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