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God's teachings on subjects that have a direct bearing on successful money management are present in both the old and new testaments. His words speak to the correct means of utilizing our resources as a reflection of our obedience to him and our desire to achieve wealth. Our Christian beliefs in the principals of Faith, Hope and Charity gives us the foundation upon which we can build a strong financial house. We must first understand that God's plan is for us to enjoy the fruits of all he has created. However, His primary gift of wealth is for us to have eternal life not material possessions. To successfully manage our resources, we must live our lives through God's eyes not the world's. A proper starting point for establishing our financial strategies is to listen to the word of God in Deuteronomy 8:11, "… you might say to yourselves; It is my own power and the strength of my own hand that obtained this wealth. Remember then, it is the Lord, your God, who gives you the power to acquire wealth…". In this brief summary, I will cite sacred scripture that can help us retain the wealth God has given us. Faithfully following these instructions will make a significant difference in your financial life. Revitalize your economic well-being with these three(3) actions(Faith, Hope and Charity): 1. FAITH - Take control of your own(family's) economic life.You do not need additional degrees or the consent of others. The world pounds into your head that you are not qualified. You must have bankers, financial advisors, brokers and an assortment of profit seeking individuals and institutions telling you what to do. Yes, they have a place but not as the masters of your destiny. From the beginning God put us in charge of our own destinies. In Genesis 1:28 it is said, "…have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth." In other words we (individually and collectively) are in charge by God's command. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells us the story of the talents and thereby instructs us that we are personally responsible to manage the wealth God has given us. God has empowered us. The question is whose words are we going to have faith in? God or a lying world. When we take control, we can use our monies in ways that best benefit us, our families and our life in Christ. Stop spending monies on things that are harmful to our health. Invest in our children's future. Save more and spend less. Shop more and buy less. Make God's given wealth work for us not against us (not spending in ways that enrich others rather than ourselves/families). 2. HOPE - Increase your income by reducing your debt.The world says, 'Leverage your dollars by using other people's money. Upgrade the quality of your life with debt." God says, "A man may buy much for little, but will pay for it seven times over." (Sirach 20:11) Here is what scripture is telling us. Last year, banks earned 30 billion dollars in overdraft fees. If you have a home mortgage of $130,000 @ 6 ¾% for 30 years you will pay $600,000. A credit balance of $2,500 can result in payments of $6,000 over an eight year period. Everything we purchase on debt drains our wealth in this manner. God admonishes us, "Go no surety beyond your means…"(Sirach 8:13) We can help ourselves by better understanding tax laws, shopping for banks, knowing the rules collectors must follow, being aware of the effect of interest rates, never using debt 'doctors', not making payday loans and incurring debt only for 'needs not wants'. If you have debts, always, always pay on time! The penalties for not doing so are severe. "…think any pledge a debt you must (re)pay." (Sirach 8:13) Do not despair over your financial problems. Listen to and act on God's words. Know that there is hope even in the worse situations. Scripture says, "…a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled." (Sirach 16:13) 3. CHARITY - Set your priorities inline with God's plan for you.We must commit ourselves to a set of priorities that reflect who and whose we are. In general our charitable priorities should focus on self, God, God's people, and family. Do not be overly concerned with the proper order of these priorities. They are a package that is absolutely necessary as such. For the sake of brevity I simply offer some examples of God's teachings on this matter. Self - I begin with self because in God's words, "To whom will he be generous who is stingy with himself and does not enjoy what is his own (Sirach 14:5). We seem to be most stingy when it comes to loving ourselves - as we are commanded. For example, we often show extreme neglect of our personal health (37% of all African-Americans are obese). This is an early death sentence. Scripture advises, "More precious than gold is health and well being…. No treasure (is) greater than a healthy body…" (Sirach 30:15-16). Our health is our wealth. Protect and grow it. Start loving yourself as much as you love others. God - Sirach 29:11 says, "Dispose of your treasure as the most high commands, for that will profit you more than the gold." God's People - Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor 9:7-8) Family - "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)  Sacred scriptures has much, much more to say about our economic well-being than can be discussed in this short dissertation. Seek God's advice by daily reading scripture regarding your specific concerns. Listen and act on his words. Do these things and your financial life will improve. God guarantees it. Dr. Daniel Vincent, Deacon |
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Sacred scriptures contain many advisories regarding
the conduct of our personal financial life. For several decades, I have been
writing, lecturing and conducting workshops/seminars on the subject.
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