Financial Fitness – 01

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1 Timothy 6:9-11 (KJV) “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.    10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.    11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

 Do you struggle in the area of money management?  Are you in credit card debt?  Are you living payday to payday? Creditors harassing you?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need help in money management.  No worries though, money management is an educational area that is overlooked in our schools and most homes.  Money manage is not something we instinctively know, it’s a knowledge that is taught,  which we will learn through our times together!

Below are some questionable areas many struggle with:

• How important is money to you?
• Do you try to keep up with the Jones’
• Do you have a budget?
• Do you balance your checkbook?
• Do you constantly check your balance at the ATM machine or online banking?
• Do you know the amount of your debt?
• Do you pay your bills on time?
• Do you plan your shopping trips?
• Are you an impulse spender?
• Do you plan for large purchases?
• Do you have an emergency fund?
• Do you have a savings?
• Are your prepared for retirement?
• Are you teaching your children money management?

These are just a few questions many struggle with, but guess what, there is hope for everyone that desire to live a life free from the burden of debt and want control over money instead of money controlling them.

Knowledge is the key!  Many need to be taught money management in the areas of budgeting, saving, planning and retirement.  Did you know that God the Holy Spirit was well aware of the struggle many would have with money? Did you also know we are to be stewards over money in which one day we will all give an account to God for what and how we used monies put in our possession?  Furthermore, did you know there are over 2500 scriptures recorded in the Bible with principles regarding money management. So to understand the purpose of money, let’s look to God’s Word for our learning and for freedom of unnecessary debt and to become better stewards of what is given to us.

Growing up I used to hear the older folks say “money is the root of all evil, Christians have no right having a lot of money!” Needless to say, as a youth I thought Christians were to live a life of poverty void of any material possessions.  It wasn’t until I became a Christian that I learned the truth.  Let’s look at 1 Timothy 6:10 for the truth regarding money being evil.  “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  Holy Spirit says it’s  the “love” of money that is the problem.  Money itself is not the problem, it’s a heart matter within the person.  Friends, money is an inanimate object!  Money has no life of its own, it is a tool used to exchange for a purchase of goods or for services provided. To understand verse 10, we need to read the scriptures above and below.  Verse 9 tells us that “they that will be rich” have the wrong motive about money. These individuals are lusting in their heart after wealth and power!  The scripture continues by revealing what happens when we lust after money.  Verse 11 gives the answer for what our heart’s motives should be concerning money, these are characters and attributes money can’t buy!  In Matthew 6:33 Holy Spirit tells us the secret for living in prosperity, “when we put God and His righteousness first, all things will be added to our lives.”  Do you get what Holy Spirit is conveying to the reader?  It is God that has the power to provide the provisions for our needs and our wants (or desires).

Knowledge #1:

In order to understand the purpose for money we need to know who really is in control and who owns the money and everything else!

1. All the animals, cattle, silver, gold and nations belong to God Almighty. Man owns nothing!  (Psalms 50:10; Psalms 82:8; Haggai 2:8).  We own nothing!  Everything we think is ours, belongs to God.  We are simply stewards of God’s possessions, and no matter what social status we are in life, we will one day give an account of how we managed as stewards.
2. From out of our hearts flow the issues of our life (Proverbs 4:23).   We need to learn to detach our hearts from money and material possessions, for neither will grant us peace, joy or eternal life.  1 Timothy 6:11 warns the reader to flee from lusting after money.
3. Everyone needs to ask God to search their hearts to discover the root cause of poor money management. Once discovered then it needs to be surrendered at the Cross for healing from poor decision-making in the area of money.
4. Next we need to learn the truth and make a conscientious effort to manage money in a godly manner.
5. Homework. Read the first four steps a few times then seek God’s help and wisdom in freeing your heart from wrong motives about money.  Then as we continue this journey together, we will learn Biblical truths about money and discover how to become debt free and financially fit stewards of what God entrusts to us.

To be continued!

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