That may sound like a funny thing to ask you do this month. But here's the deal...money is a part of our life every single day. The world has a certain way of thinking about it...God has a certain way of thinking about it.
And obviously, when you look at the statistics, it appears that some people don't want to think about it at all! They want more money, for sure, but they aren't giving attention to what they have, and debt is threatening their homes, their families, their good name and certainly their peace of mind.
And here's the thing about money -- if you don't handle it, it will probably handle you. Statistics tell us that:
the average American household has 13 credit cards
they carry an average of $5,800 in debt from month to month
if the minimum payment were made each month at 18% interest, it would take 30 years to pay it off, and they'd pay an additional $15,000 in interest
Over 50% of US families spend more than they earn
96% of all Americans will retire financially dependent on the government (with no savings for retirement except social security).
Give Attention
We've all probably heard some of those statistics before. Some of us feel as thought we have a pretty good grip on our finances, and some of us don't. But there's no condemnation! And there's always more to know.
So what can we do to stop from being those statistics, and to keep learning and growing in the financial realm to be able to fund this last day's revival?
We're going to have to give some attention to money. We're going to probably have to change the way we THINK about money to get over into the abundance that God wants us to have.
That means we're going to have to keep learning about how to handle money and get it working for us, instead of vice versa. Only those with money can be a help, and I don't know about you, but I'd rather be one who has money to help others, instead of being the one who always needs help!
God and Money
Money is neither bad nor good. Some people think it's evil, but they're misquoting 1 Timothy 6:10 -- it's the love of money that's the root of all evil.
Money is merely a tool, and it will be to our benefit to think of it that way. Here are a few things that God has to say about money:
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income (Eccl. 5:10).
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Eccl. 7:12).
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything (Eccl. 10:19).
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2).
But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Always be Learning
This is obviously a huge topic and space here is limited. My main goal in writing you about this today is to get you thinking, and to give you some resources to help (listed to your left). Knowledge is a key (Hosea 4:6). As one person said, "Planning proceeds prosperity."
I want to encourage you to always be learning more about money...always be reading a financial book, or looking at a website. Even if you don't DO anything about it at first, change begins in your thinking. Aim your thoughts in the direction you want to go. THINK about your money!
I want you to know that I am praying for you this month...God has put this on my heart real strong for you. I pray that you'll come to new revelation and insight about money...that it will begin to flow differently in your life, that you'll learn about true abundance...that you'll know the joy of being out from under debt, and being able to help all the people you want to help.
It all begins in your thinking.
