FINANCIAL FREEDOM AND STEWARDSHIP!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2022.

SUBJECT: FINANCIAL FREEDOM AND STEWARDSHIP! 

Memory verse: "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16 vs 13.)

READ: Luke 16 vs 9 - 13:

16:9: And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

16:10: He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 

16:11: Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 

16:12: And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?

16:13: No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

INTIMATION:

The discussion on financial stewardship, and financial freedom is strictly based on the Scriptures. Financial relates to money or financial matters. A steward is one entrusted with managing of another person's property or affairs. Financial stewardship deals with handling or managing of money or financial matters. 

Many misunderstand stewardship. When they read or hear that word they think of hard work or obligation. In fact, the truth is just the opposite. As you will learn, seeing yourself as  a steward of God's resources is the only way to true financial freedom.

The importance of this subject is reflected in how much the Scriptures teach about it. The Bible has more to say about finances than most Bible doctrines like heaven, hell, faith or prayer. The influence of money in our lives is very real, so it isn't surprising that Jesus taught more on the subject of money than any other single topic. In fact one quarter of Jesus' teachings is based on finances. He taught more of managing resources than He did on prayer or even faith; and this tells us that the topic of money, and how we handle it, is very important.

I know that money is a sore subject that a lot of people want to avoid, but in my considered opinion, learning how God views finances is basic Christianity. Let us look at what Jesus said in the passage we read today. Jesus said in Luke 16 vs 9, “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.” 

Your selfishness with money is ungodly. God has only entrusted the financial resources in your hands. It is not yours. God owns all  resources.  We are to make wise use of the financial opportunities we have. And proper use of the resources entrusted in our care by the Owner is paramount in how we use it to earn eternal benefit. For instance, If we use our money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. Unselfish use of the possessions entrusted into our care by God is inherent in our obeying God’s Will. 

In the verses 10 - 12, Jesus emphasized on our integrity on money matters. Our integrity often meets its match in money matters. Jesus used money and people's attitude towards money to reveal their hearts. God calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily rationalize away. Heaven's riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God's kingdom.

Money has the power to take God's place in our life. It can become your master. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? (1) Do you think or worry about it frequently? (2) Do you give up doing what you should do or would like to do in order to make more money? (3) Do you spend a great deal of your time caring for your possessions? (4) Is it hard for you to give money away? (5) Are you in debt? (6) Is your value system money oriented? (7) Is your measure of success on financial,possessions?

In our memory verse, Jesus talked about serving two masters—God and mammon, that is serving the Creator, and the created. You cannot serve both the created (money) and the Creator (God). Money is a hard master and a deceptive one. Its deception is enormous. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Great fortunes can be made, and lost overnight, and no amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life.

Obviously, what the Bible has to say about financial stewardship is different from most of what you will hear from business sources that teach on "asset management." God doesn't operate by this world's system, and it's more important for us to understand how God's financial system works than it is to understand London Stock Exchange or Wall Street.

How much better it is to let God be your Master. His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever. God has let us with a choice. Who do you serve? God or mammon?

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours, and You have given us all things for our enjoyment. Give me the grace for proper management of the resources You entrusted into my care, that I may use it for Your purposes and Your eternal glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!