Your true net-worth is not based in the things that you possess on earth, rather it’s determined by whether or not you’re a believer in Jesus Christ whose heart is in tune to the vision on His heart. Christians seek to glorify Him, lead unbelievers to Him, and educate people on the virtue of living by His principles. When you have His heart you take on the mind of Christ and are motivated to be the best steward (manager) you know how to be with the money, resources, gifting, and abilities the LORD entrusts to you while on earth. You continually seek to become more skillful in doing so.
Like most people, you probably think the current state of your stewardship is probably more broadly based on getting most of the things you want on credit and still having the bills to show for it years later when sometimes you cannot even remember what you used the loans / credit cards to purchase. The depreciating value of your cars, appliances, furniture, clothing, and jewelry should motivate you to exercise godly wisdom when purchasing such items in the future. You may have previously been pressured by smooth-talking sales people, friends, or family into buying such items on credit, but now realize these items depreciate in value. It certainly was not wise to use loans to get these items when you did not have cash available in reserve accounts to purchase them or immediately pay off the total amount of the loan at any time. Even if you could pay it off at anytime, it is not wise to get installment or balloon loans or to let the charge revolve month to month because the interest charged on the loan will be greater than what your reserve account will pay you each month and you will encounter other problems you could have avoided.
God is for you achieving financial freedom and building wealth and has given you instructions / principles to lead you there. It's important to understand that some of the men and women of honor spoken of in scripture, who drew near to Him and displayed His heart in ministry (service to others), had great material riches. Likewise, the LORD will allow you to have many nice things over the course of your life, but more importantly He wants you to draw closer to Him. Biblical instructions and the stories of these saints give a clear picture that we should seek the Creator more than the things He created.
Do not layup treasures for yourself on earth that tend to corrupt, decay, and be stolen! Rather, layup for yourself treasures in Heaven that cannot be corrupted, decayed, or stolen. This only happens via properly managing money and resources in order to give abundantly for the spread of the gospel, to properly take care of your family needs, and to be rich in good works that serve other people. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. An intimate relationship with God makes the things He allows you to have truly valuable to you because you will use them for the right purpose.
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Matthew 6:33-34, Luke 12:32-33, and 1Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19, James 5:1-6
Please forward these bondage breaking articles to other people who can use helpful insight!!!
You can find books authored by Randy Parlor and Karen Parlor at www.Amazon.com
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