GOD WANTS US TO GAIN WISDOM IN THE AREA OF OUR FINANCES
Proverbs 4:7 (ERV) The first step to becoming wise is to look for wisdom, so use everything you have to get understanding.
Wisdom: The ability to make good judgments based on knowledge, understanding, and experience.
Proverbs 3:13-14 (CEV) God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense. Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold.
Note: Wisdom is not just about knowing what’s good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life.
Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Good Planning: Thinking deeply about our future work and plans is legitimate and wise.
Hard Work: Long hours, dedication, and a willingness to defer gratification for the sake of long-term gain.
Proverbs 23:3-5 (NLT) A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
7 KEYS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS
1. THINK ABOUT MONEY AS A TOOL, NOT THE GOAL.
2 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT) For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2. PRACTICE TITHING.
Malachi 3:10 (NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (This is God’s Promise)
3. PRIORITIZE GOD FIRST IN YOUR SPENDING.
Matthew 6:33 (NCV) Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
Practical Application #1: A practical way we can do this is by establishing a Monthly Cash Flow Plan that puts God first.
4. PRACTICE GOOD STEWARDSHIP.
Matthew 25:21 (GNT) ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’
5. BE WISE AND SAVE FOR YOUR FUTURE.
Genesis 41:54 (NLT) Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food.
Practical Application: Build Emergency, Short-Term, and Long-Term savings accounts.
6. PAY OFF DEBT AND AVOID NEW DEBT.
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Practical Application #2: A practical way we can do this is by completing our Debt Snowball Worksheet. Start eliminating your debt by using a Debt Snowball Plan ASAP. Once you pay off debt(s) Save / Invest the monthly payments you were making towards that debt..
7. SET FINANCIAL GOALS.
Habakuk 2:2 (CSB) The Lord answered me; Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it.
Practical Application #3: Let’s complete The Financial Roadmap and learn how to put what we’ve learned all together.
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT INVESTING?
1. GOD WANTS US TO INVEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Matthew 6:19-20 (NLT) “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Note: We invest in the kingdom of God when we use our money on earth to do good.
1 Timothy 6:18 (NLT) Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
2. GOD WANTS US TO INVEST OUR FINANCES TO MULTIPLY WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US.
Matthew 25:22-27 (NLT) “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more. “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back. “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’