The Invitation

In these challenging economic times, the problem is familiar to many families. You are trying to control expenses, but the pay cut didn’t help. Once again, your plans to save for an emergency fund are pushed aside—there is too much “month” at the end of the paycheck. Nobody needs to tell you that your increasing debt load is dangerous. The commitment to begin tithing is scuttled in favor of paying the electric bill. One step forward, two steps backwards. Contentment—who are you kidding?

Information about financial planning is plentiful. A search of the internet returns more than 59,000,000 results. The Bible, itself, contains over 2,300 verses on money and possessions. So why is managing money so difficult? Perhaps you have given your life to Christ, but retain control of your money. Don’t go on this journey by yourself. Make a change. Invite God into your finances.

First of all, without the Holy Spirit, we will not even be able to fully understand the teaching of Scripture about money management. Here are some thoughts:

• “From Thy precepts I get understanding…” (Psalm 119:104)
• “’…when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth...’” (John 16:13)
• “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God…But a natural [unsaved] man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:12,14)

Furthermore, we don’t have the power to change without the Holy Spirit. Our human nature works against us as we struggle with attitudes about money and possessions. Consider these verses about a great power source:

• “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
• “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)
• “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
  

If it’s not working, do something different. Stop doing things your way. Tap into wisdom without limits. Yield to a higher authority. Get help. The Bible teaches that we need to do our part and God will do his part. Go ahead—make the call—invite God into your finances.

The views are those of Bruce Olmstead and not those of Summit Brokerage Services. Investments in securities do not offer a fix rate of return. Principal, yield and/or share price will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and, when sold or redeemed, you may receive more or less than originally invested.  No system or financial planning strategy can guarantee future results