Finances 1

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Category: Finances

Published on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 05:42

Written by Elton Ware

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Financial Insight Series 1:  It All Starts on the Inside!

I am very excited to begin a series of articles that center around financial management.    The primary objective of these articles will be to encourage and equip the saints with the tools to better manage the financial resources that God has given to us. These articles will take a biblically focused approach to finances that I hope will inspire.   It is also my hope that any income level, age group or person in a particular stage of life can benefit from the topics that are to be covered.   Just to pique your interest here is an advanced view of some of the areas: 

- What Next?  Taking an inventory of where you are in your finances.

- Setting achievable financial goals with a simple financial plan.

- Debt Management - Getting and staying on the right track!

At this point, I'd like to take a moment to lay the framework for our future discussions.  Just as we have learned in our walk with the Lord, we start on a solid foundation and then build upon it.   Managing our finances successfully is no different.   I also believe it all starts on the inside!

At the core of our financial house is a principle that must exist deep in our hearts - All that I have and all that I will ever have in the future belongs to the Lord.  In other words, I am a steward or keeper of the resources that God has provided to me, but He is the Ultimate Owner.  Here are a few biblical references to re-enforce this important principle of God's Ultimate Ownership:

Haggai 2:8 - The silver [is] mine, and the gold [is] mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalms 24:1 - The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 104:24 - O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Deut. 10:14 - Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

Psalms 89:11 - The heavens [are] thine, the earth also [is] thine: [as for] the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

Rom 11:35, 36 - Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory forever. Amen.

The Bible clearly establishes that God has ownership of everything. Now, our hearts must be on the same page with this principle.    With God as the Owner, we also have a part to play as a steward of His resources.  A steward or overseer has the great responsibility to govern and make decisions on behalf of the Owner.  One could ask, what does this have to do with better financial management?   Just imagine the thought process that goes into making financial decisions about resources that no longer belong to us but to God.  Furthermore, because we highly respect, value, and want to please him, great consideration and prayer will go into the decisions that we are to make with His resources.  This is the mark of a good steward!   To that end, I'd like to leave you with a few examples of great stewards in the Bible that I recommend you read about.  Pay close attention to the type of heart these men possessed in their efforts to be overseers of their master’s resources.

Genesis 24:2-26 : Abraham's eldest servant and ruler over all his house.

Genesis 39: 4-6. :  Joseph as overseer of his Egyptian master's house.

May this article be a blessing to you in your future financial decision-making.

Yours in Christ,

Elton Ware