Flip Wilson used to say, “The devil made me do it.” Many people have the same mentality when it comes to managing their lives and money. They want to take credit for all the good things that happen to them: I earned my degree, I earned this salary, I earned this position, I earned these riches, I earned this fame, I earned this politically powerful position, etc. However, when the result is not good they blame the devil, some other person, or organization (including the government) for their woes.
Wrecked financial situations are not a direct result of what someone else did to you, rather they are a direct result of you not following principles that lead to fruitfulness. If you want your situation to change:
1. Confess that Jesus is Savior and begin to live like He is LORD of your life and money entrusted to you.
2. Believe and act like He owns everything. He has the right to direct you to use them as He sees fit and does so for His glory and your benefit.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten your daily bible study and prayer and help you walk by the Spirit instead of fulfilling the lusts (desires) of your flesh.
4. Work as unto the LORD at least 8 to 10 hours five days each week in a God-honoring occupation and Church ministry.
5. Rest the equivalent of one day each week.
6. Hone your mental and physical skills through training, work, and personal interaction with others.
7. Continually declare a better future and plan all you can do to achieve it and allow the LORD to put super to your natural actions. Never deride your current position, simply seek to do better. The LORD’s ability to prosper you is greater than your current situation.
8. Daily, talk with Christians who are good stewards of the lives, incomes, and assets entrusted to them. Advice of godly counselors allows God-honoring safety.
9. Honor God by tithing to your local Church fellowship.
10. Save at least ten percent of your income in an emergency fund to help cover expenses during job loss, medical situations, etc.
11. Live within your means by budgeting your income to cover necessities (required food, shelter, clothing, and transportation). Then, cover as many other minimum bill payments as possible. When money is left over, pay it toward the lowest balance account. Trust God to provide what you cannot obtain through your own effort.
12. Work toward eliminating debt to live debt-free where you do not purchase anything you do not already have the cash to pay for.
13. Continue to employ these giving, saving, budgeting (disciplined spending) habits and you will reach a point when you are saving so much money each month that you will have no choice but to invest in growth producing assets like no load low expense stock index mutual funds.
One of the great things about the biblical approach to stewardship is that everything that happens to you and for you works out for your good because you love God and are called for His purpose. Therefore, you don’t have to bear false witness by blaming anyone for your condition because the Holy Spirit is guiding you as you spend time necessary to utilize the spiritual and practical principles above to make your life as fruitful as it can be.
Please pray for this ministry and email me with any questions. May the LORD bless you richly as you follow His plan!
Exodus 20:16, Galatians 5:1-2, 16-18, Ephesians 4:25, 1John 2:4
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