Financial Freedom

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

True financial freedom is being content with what you have; with what God gives you.

First, let’s look at four financial myths that people “blame” or “credit” to God and the Bible.

• FINANCE ~ Finance is a system of money management that includes banking, circulation, credit, investments, economics, and accounting.

• MYTH ~ “If you live a godly, Christian life, you will experience financial gain and prosperity.”

• TRUTH ~ According to God’s Word, godliness is not a means to financial gain. The Bible calls this “false doctrine” taught by false teachers.

1 Timothy 6:3–5 ESV

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

 

• MONEY ~ Money is any means of exchange, including coins and paper currency, circulating in the culture issued by a civil authority as a measure of value.

• MYTH ~ “Money is the root of all evil.”

• TRUTH ~ No, Money can be used for great good. According to the Bible, the LOVE OF MONEY is a root of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

 

• STEWARD ~ A steward is a trustee, guardian, or overseer who manages the property or financial affairs of another person. ALL money belongs to God and we are only stewards of His resources.

 

Psalm 24:1 ESV

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

• MYTH ~ “If I just had enough money, I will be satisfied”

• TRUTH ~ Satisfaction with your financial situation does not come from the amount of money you have, but in wise management of what you have.

 

Matthew 25:23 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

• DEBT ~ Debt is the condition of owing something to another. The debtor (the one who owes another) is under obligation to pay the debt.

• MYTH ~ “You must borrow money and pay it back in order to prove financial responsibility and establish good credit references.”

• TRUTH ~ Borrowing and paying back money is not always necessary to get credit. Most lenders are more than anxious to extend credit, in relation to your credit score, to consumers in order to collect inflated interest rates over an extended period of time. But the Bible says to be aware, because …

Proverbs 22:7 ESV

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Now, let’s look at a few of the World’s Purpose for Money and God’s Purpose for Money:

• WORLD’S ~ To get what we want

• GOD’S ~ To give us what we need

Matthew 6:31–33 ESV

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

• WORLD’S ~ To live independently in life

• GOD’S ~ To live dependently on the Lord

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

• WORLD’S ~ To exalt the power of money

• GOD’S ~ To exalt the power of God

Psalm 20:7 ESV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

• WORLD’S ~ To build a personal kingdom

• GOD’S ~ To benefit God’s kingdom

2 Corinthians 8:3–5 ESV

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

So, how does all of this show us how to keep the blessings of God in our finances?

We must look at the Law of Stewardship.

Matthew 25:23 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

We must look at the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30.

Now we must understand that we are accountable to God for how we spend our money.

Accountability means …

• Knowing exactly what comes in

• Knowing exactly what goes out

• Knowing exactly where it goes (budgeting)

• Knowing how to save (regardless of your income)

• Knowing how to put your money to work for you (safe, investment, planning)

• Knowing how to plan for your future (retirement)

• Knowing when and where to give money to God and to others

Returning earnings to God is a commitment.

Genesis 14:20 ESV

and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

QUESTION: Isn’t the tithe and offering an Old Testament principle that does not apply to us today?

Many people assume that tithing was taught only the in the Old Testament, however, in the New Testament, Jesus challenged the hypocritical attitudes of the Pharisees, but He also gave full endorsement to the principle of tithing! YES, many ministers and churches misuse the principle of tithing and offering just to get more money. YES, many church folks misuse tithing and offering to try to manipulate the direction of the church and to “punish” the Pastor. HOWEVER, Jesus said…

Luke 11:42 ESV

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

We must also look at the Law of Giving.

• Give to God that which He has commanded.

Malachi 3:10 ESV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

• Give, know that it all belongs to God.

Haggai 2:8 ESV

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.

• Give on a regular basis

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

• Give sacrificially by giving up some of your own desires.

2 Corinthians 8:3 ESV

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

• Give cheerfully, not reluctantly or under pressure.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Last question, How important is the amount of my gift?

The issue is not how BIG your gift is, but how big your faith is. Perhaps the most famous gift of all came from the poorest person of all.

Mark 12:41–44 ESV

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”