Biblical Financial Principle #18 - Follow Wise Godly Counsel

Search out, listen to and follow wise godly counsel:

Talk radio and TV news shows really “bug” me because they can be so deceptive. We are willing to take advice from KABC talk radio or CNN and make life changing decisions about our finances but we do not listen to God.

In the Book of Psalms we read: “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:11)

Solomon has more insight in the Book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 1:5 – “…let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” Proverbs 11:14 – “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” Proverbs 12:15b – “…a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 15:12 – “A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.” Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

If we want to cooperate with the Lord and His plan we need to listen to godly advice, but where do we find it? One place is from the video seminars available on the “Life Navigation” ministry web site (http://sites.google.com/site/lifenavigationinturbulenttimes/). Another is from someone trained by Christian organizations such as Glass House Ministry (http://www.glasshouseministry.org/) or Crown Financial Ministries (http://www.crown.org/)

The key to success in all areas of life (including money management) is having a correct set of priorities. That means putting God first in every area of our lives. Many of us have tried in our own strength to set up and maintain a budget but we have failed. One reason for that is that we are sinners and by nature we are not able to do “the right thing.” We keep sinking lower and lower.

How do we change this downward spiral? By establishing a personal relationship with our creator God and giving our lives over to Him. CLICK HERE to find out more.

If you live in Southern California visit Cypress Church at 6143 Ball Road near Valley View. Sunday Services are at 8:45 am and 10:30 am.

Biblical Financial Principle #17 - Choose Your Friends Wisely

Choose your friends wisely:

Have you ever noticed how much we humans tend to reflect the manners, speech and dress of those around us? If you are not certain you agree with this idea, just spend a few moments watching Junior High or High School kids on their way to and from school. You will see small groups of two, three, four or several students that have very similar clothing. If you listen to them speaking they will be talking about similar subjects and using similar slang expressions. God's word tells us: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20)

If we want to develop good habits we need to be cautious who we become friends with. Psalms 1 gives us excellent advice: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers." (Psalms 1:1) Solomon agrees and tells us: "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men." (Proverbs 4:14) In our age of internet and TV this advice applies to choosing our “virtual” friends as well.

If we are tempted to stray from God's directives we need to stand firm in the truth. Country Western singer (and esteemed Bible commentator?) Aaron Tippin cautions us that "...you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything..." The Bible states: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." (Proverbs 1:10)

In the New Testament the Apostle Paul advises us: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' (1 Cor. 15:33)

Here are a few more Bible references on this topic: Proverbs 4:19 - "…the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble." Proverbs 5:3-4 - "…the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword." Proverbs 22:24 - "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered." Proverbs 23:20-21 - "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 24:1 - Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company."

So if we are not supposed to keep company with "wicked men" who should we "hang out" with? Solomon tells us in Proverbs 18:24: "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Who is that friend? Many Bible commentators see this as a reference to Jesus Christ. Is Jesus your friend? Would you like to know more about starting a personal relationship with Jesus? If so CLICK HERE. For video seminars on the economy and job search topics visit the Life Navigation web site.

Biblical Financial Principle #16 - Be Generous To Those In Need

Be generous to the poor, needy and disadvantaged:

God's Word is very clear in stating that we should be generous and kind to those who are disadvantaged. There are many verses on this subject:

Proverbs 3:28 - "Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-- when you now have it with you." Proverbs 11:24-25 - "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

God loves each one of us and takes our needs very personally. If we turn our back on the needy we are, in effect, turning our back on God.

Proverbs 14:31 - "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Psalm 41:1 - "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble." Psalm 37:21b - "…the righteous give generously."

We should include systematic giving for the assistance of the needy in our financial planning. Lev. 23:22 - "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God."

Paul described his own actions in the area of generosity when he spoke to the elders from Ephesus. "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts. 20:35)

This may be a hard concept to accept but in God's economy we are not expected to do His will in our own strength. We will desire to be generous based on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you have a relationship with the Lord? Click Here to discover "The Life Changing Message Of Jesus."

Biblical Financial Principle #15 - Do not love money

Do not love money, trust money or focus on getting more money:

The world tells us that we need to strive to get ahead, make money and be successful in business. "Go for the gusto" is the mantra of secular society. We are focused on getting ahead and planning for the future instead of being focused on Jesus.

God's word tells us in Proverbs 11:28 -"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." The Apostle Paul told Timothy: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Tim. 6:10) So according to Paul if we focus on finding our fortune it could damage our most important relationship.

Many people get so focused on making money that they literally work themselves to death. Some have spent a lifetime planning for retirement and gone to the grave before they left their job or shortly thereafter.

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 23:4: "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint." So stop working through your vacation time and find a ministry project where you can be a part of building up the Kingdom of God. Then you will be storing up treasure in heaven.

Paul gave very strong instructions to Timothy: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

Put God first in everything and if you have not begun a relationship with the Lord CLICK HERE to discover how to take this important step.