Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming. It is just one month away. The shopping frenzy has begun, at least that is the hope of retailers across our land. What about you? When do you do your shopping? Do you have a list or is it impulse all the way. Your shopping habits might be an indicator regarding your money management skills. Some people are always broke. Others always seem to have money, regardless of their income level. How is that? It may have something to do with planning and executing the plan. The earlier in life you start the plan, the greater effect it will have on your financial stability. God wants you to prosper in every area of life. He especially wants us to prosper financially so we can be a blessing to others. As Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others”. , (2 Corinthians 9:8)

God wants to provide, we have to shift our attitude regarding money. If you want to be financially independent, your plan must include three steps:

1. Give God a portion of your income. 

2. Give yourself a portion, as in savings.

3. Live off the rest.  

Point one will keep us grounded and not become conceited or greedy. It reveals where we are putting our trust. If God is our provision, then point one will be a natural response. If we feel that provision is entirely up to us, point one will be a challenge.  

Point two will be our provision and ensure we will always have enough. I often hear from people, I will save later when I am more financially secure. It is a false hope. Saving is a habit, and we need to start the process where we are now. Just saving a dollar is better than nothing. If one was able to save one dollar a day, in a year you would have 365 more dollars than if you didn’t save. The key point is not how much you save, but that you save. 

Point three will develop discipline in our lives. Money ought not control us, but we control money. Money is a servant not meant to be a master. When we spend more than we have we become a slave to the lender.

Jesus wants us to be free. When we do point one and two, and practice point three, your financial pressures will become less and less. Soon you will be independent and secure financially, living a generous and blessed life.  

This sunday, I conclude my stewardship series. We believe all things come from God, if that is true we may have to evaluate our attitude towards our stuff. The stuff we have in our possession is not actually ours, but God has given us stewardship of it. God wants us to use it in such a way that the Kingdom of God is manifest in our community. How are we doing with that? Good question to meditate on this Sunday. See you there! 

November 28, 2019