While preparing for Part 4 of the current sermon series, One Family Under God and the message "Is Your Money Messed Up?" I heard on the radio and oldie but goodie song by the O'Jays which included some lyrics which stated that for the love of money people will steal from their mother, rob their own brother, and they do thangs do thangs bad things with it. And they ended by saying don't let it, don't let money fool you.
The O'Jays are not far from what the Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:7-10 and what Jesus meant in Matthew 6:24. Money can be a wonderful tool, but it is a terrible master. What steps are you taking as an individual and a family to become counter-cultural when it comes to cash. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:7 that the borrower is a slave to the lender- are you taking the steps to break free and stay free?
Where do we start?
- Prayer, let's get back in fellowship with the Father.
- A Budget, tell your money where to go or you'll wonder where it went.
- Accountability, allow someone to review your financial plan and remind you of your financial plan
- Give, it is the surest way to overcome a spirit of stingyness
I pray that you will get past the guilt and shame of having done wrong with God's resources and begin today planting new seeds of financial success. The promise of Calvary is that we all can Begin Again, even in the area of money. Are you ready to just do it? Testify!!!!!
Pastor B
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2 comments:
Hi Pastor Hamilton,
After reading and thinking about your blog regarding money, I realize that I am often quite hestitant to go beyond tithing given that I have just began a new career after transitioning from many years of schooling. I always second guest giving even though God has shown me tremendous favor over my life, and I realize that this hesitancy is because I am not completely financially free from my parents and in many ways feel as if I am taking advantage of them when I do things beyond paying bills (this includes any type of shopping and even with offering at church, weird as it may sound). But I'm sure this is where trusting God with my finances and budgeting plays a big role. Any thoughts regarding financial freedom from parents after prolonged support throughout school and trying to manage new financial resources from God.
Erica Lindsay-Ibisi (Friend of Kareen and Lomar)
Erica,
Thank you for your transparency. I encourage you to please read Genesis 2:24-25,because those verses a foundational for marriage and the priority of marriage above every other human relationship. It is imperative that you leave/cleave in your marriage. Please understand that the Word of God affirms the necessity of you honoring your mother/father for life, but now that relationship takes a backseat to the marital covenant. If you owe money to your parents based on a pre-marital agreement, please repay the debt. If your parents need financial assistance, pray and reach an agreement with your husband about how much, how long, and how frequently you can provide financial assistance. In addition to that, get your financial house in order. Give sacrificially, construct a comprehensive financial plan, create a workable budget and use it, finally- if in debt- Get a plan to get out! (Proverbs 22:7)
If you need more blanks to be filled in, grab your husband and let's sit down at a good restaurant and walk through this together for the glory of God.
By His Grace Alone,
Pastor B
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