Financial Freedom Boot Camp:
God-O-Nomics 101
This is the second of three articles on gaining Financial Freedom. The first article is entitled "Financial Wisdom for Kids, Adults and Politicians." The third article is entitled "How to Earn a 30, 60 or 100% Return on Your Investments". I invite you to read them if you have not already done so. I believe it will offer you a unique perspective on Christian Finances, Financial Freedom, and Investing.
In Whom or What
Do You Trust?
Some trust in Wall Street but guess what Wall Street is Broke!Some trust in Main Street but guess what Main Street is Broke!
Some trust in the Government but guess what Government is Broke! Some trust in Banks but guess what most of the Banks are broke! Some trust in their Retirement Plans but guess what - Retirement Plans are going broke! Some trust in keeping up with the Joneses but guess what the Joneses are broke too! What do I mean by broke...In other words, if all your creditors required you to pay off all your debt by tomorrow at 8 a.m. Would you have financial freedom? What would you actually possess? How much would you really own? Like most Americans, do you owe more than you own?? It's pretty simple if you owe on it you don't own it! Here's another thought for you:
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
The Life Application Bible clarifies Psalm 20:7 like this: As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower but in God's power. Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, be sure your confidence is in God, who gives eternal victory. Whom do you trust? [Italics, bold mine] This Scripture poses the fundamental challenge about both life and financial freedom In whom or what do you trust? What if you have been "secure" in the knowledge that you have a retirement account, a savings plan or a nest egg tucked away?? Totalbankruptcy.com says, "Times are indeed tough more than one million Americans filed Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy...last year."The Huffington Post reports that 20% of all Americans OWE more on their mortgages than their homes are worth! Are you ready to examine another way of achieving financial freedom? I guarantee you, it's not where you're probably used to looking -- but it is solid financial advice that has stood the test of time. As you can see, I've entitled this article "Financial Freedom Boot Camp: God-o-nomics 101" and the source is God and the Bible. I have a question for you... Do you really want to achieve Financial Freedom? If you do, I'm going to suggest something that is counter-intuitive --
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Give Generously, Secretly and Cheerfully!
Give? Give?? Give???I know; I know, you're thinking "You're kidding me, right? I can barely keep my head above water and you're asking me to GIVE?? How can I ever achieve this financial freedom if I give everything away? You've got to be crazy!" When we're faced with financial uncertainty, our tendency is usually... To hold tight to our money! [Or some people, in denial of the severity of the problem, may OVER-spend!] But.. Maybe... Just maybe....that tendency to "hold back" is a big part of the reason that you're NOT finding financial freedom.... Why?? Because you're not doing what God requires! Let me ask a simple question "Do you reward your children when they're being disobedient?" Of course not [and if you do shame on you you know that's not healthy]... So if we don't reward our children when they're disobedient, why would God reward us when we're being disobedient? The obvious answer is He won't! So what is God's plan when it comes to giving? Does He have some special amount we should give to Him? Why, yes, yes He does....
God's Plan for Giving The Tithe
God begins with something called a "tithe". A tithe is 10% of our gross income.Let's begin by looking at the first tithe ever given. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV) Here are a few more Scriptures that talk about the importance of the tithe. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." Genesis 28:20-22 (NIV) "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord....The entire tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:30-33(NIV) This verse associates two words that I personally don't like to see linked together... "Tithe" & "Command" It's not God's suggestion or merely a good idea that we tithe it's a command! There was a prophet to Israel named Malachi who took this command up a notch by confronting the Israelites at this period in their history: "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it...." says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:8-12 (NIV) So how does Malachi take this issue of tithing up a notch? Malachi says that if you're not giving the tithe or 10% of our gross income to the church you're attending, then you're robbing God! Now there is one thing I never want to be accused of and that is robbing God! But maybe you're saying "I don't believe in God" or "I don't even go to church". Well, that's another whole issue but let me encourage you to look deep into your heart and ask yourself Am I really happy? Am I really satisfied? Am I really fulfilled? Do I acquire more and more stuff, yet feel more and more empty? A relationship with God leading to Spiritual Wellness will fill that ever-widening void in your life! Even if you don't believe in God, you need to give in order to keep yourself from being self-centered! I believe the tithe is a good place to begin!
What Does Jesus Say About the Tithe?
Some misinformed folks say that Jesus doesn't talk about tithing. I would disagree. I believe that Jesus not only talks about tithing but, as He often does, He takes the discussion on tithing up a notch....
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Matthew 23:23-26 (NIV) Jesus did not abolish or ignore the tithe BUT he chewed out the Pharisees for tithing with the wrong ATTITUDE! Let me be clear about what the Bible teaches. "Tithing" is giving 10% of your gross income to the church. "Offerings" are gifts given above and beyond the tithe for special projects that God moves you to give to. And not only does Jesus teach about financial freedom by demonstrating your need to tithe and how you should tithe with the right attitude but wait there's more... Above our tithe we give... Offerings for special needs...And above our tithes and offering we give....
Cheerfully! The Amplified Bible explains the "giving cheerfully" concept of Financial Freedom this way: [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 How can giving generously help us attain "financial freedom"?
Because giving guards us against our own worst enemy our own selfishness and yet -- Giving is one of the greatest blessings on earth because it often does far more for the giver than for the recipient!Think about it!
Insights on Financial Freedom from Jesus
Jesus teaches us this truth about financial freedom: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." [Italics mine]
Where should we invest or put our treasure? In Heaven. How do we do that....By giving our tithes and offerings to the church and then giving above and beyond as God directs. Where is your treasure? Where are your primary investments? Wall Street, Main Street, or Heaven? Only one will last forever....Heaven! Let's look quickly at one last issue regarding financial freedom and it has to do with the issue of "recognition" and giving....
God Expects us to Give Secretly!
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV) Why give secretly? So our gift is seen only by our Father and not others! This is how we build treasure in heaven by giving in secret!
Conventional wisdom says "Give to the church or charities if you have something left after all you need to take care of yourself." "If you do give, make sure you get a plaque - or some other kind of recognition!" BUT God says:
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Give Generously, Cheerfully, and Secretly!
So let's review these thoughts about Financial Freedom Boot Camp: God-o-Nomics 101....Why does God command us to give? Because giving guards us against our own worst enemy our selfishness! What should be our attitude when we give? We're to give generously and cheerfully! How much should we give? God expects us to "tithe" [10% of our gross income, a.k.a. "first fruits"] to a church. Are you tithing, 10% of your gross income, to the church? Are you giving offerings above and beyond your tithe?Are you giving generously, cheerfully & secretly? Self Indulgence + Hoarding = Slavery.
Self Discipline + Tithing = Freedom! Which do YOU want? If money is tight and you haven't been tithing "test" God - give to His Kingdom - and see how you'll be blessed! The time for excuses is over the time for obedience is NOW... God bless you as you take positive steps toward
gaining Financial Freedom!
If you do not have a church home, and you are interested in contacting a ministry in order to start your journey to Financial Freedom by giving generously, cheerfully, and secretly, here are a couple of options:The local church that I pastor is Three Seasons Community Church in Berlin, Pennsylvania. We have a Paypal option for you to donate quickly and easily. Or, visit the EVANGELICAL COUNCIL FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITYฎ or call them at 800-323-9473. Wikipedia says that: "The mission statement adopted by the ECFA is as follows: 'ECFA is committed to helping Christ-centered organizations earn the public's trust through developing and maintaining standards of accountability that convey God-honoring ethical practices.'" NOTE: Giving "secretly" does not mean that you cannot let the ministry know who you are in order to take advantage of tax deductions!
Go to Discovering Family Wellness Home Page from Financial Freedom
Go to "Financial Wisdom for Kids, Adults and Politicians"
Go to "How to Earn a 30, 60 or 100% Return on Your Investments"
Researchers, editors and publishers are free to reprint this article as long as the text is reprinted in its entirety and the following signature line remains intact:
ฉ2009, Discovering Family Wellness and
Bryan G. Karchner, M.A., M. Div.
www.discovering-family-wellness.com
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