Below you will find scriptures that members of class found in a cursory search of God's Word for references to finances. Feel free to look these up and/or continue the search on your own and add more. There are plenty to be found.
Genesis 4:3-5; 12:16, 20; 13:2, 14-17; 25:27-34; 27; 29:15-28; 30:25-43; 31:38 - 42; 32:1-32
Psalm 5:3; 10:18; 15:5; 16:2, 5; 17:14; 20:4; 21:2; 22:26; 23:1,5
Daniel 6:25, 28; 11:20, 24; 12:3
Matthew 2:11; 4:8-9; 5:23-23, 26, 40; 6:2-4, 12, 19-21, 24; 7:7-8, 24
1 Corinthians 4:7; 9:3-18; 16:1-4
2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:5-15
Philippians 4:12-13
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Finances - Commentary
There are a few things that I pointed out during discussion. In addition to stewardship, believing God will provide, and the need to trust God and be content in our circumstances, there were some other biblical principles presented in relation to our finances.
According to my experience and understanding I believe that the following principles are direct and clear in scripture. They are:
1. You shall practice self-control.
2. You shall give generously.
3. You shall not love money.
4. You shall not covet what others have.
5. You shall give regularly to your church.
Also according to my experience and understanding, I believe that although the following principles are good ones, they are not direct and clear in scripture. They are:
1. You shall have reserve.
2. You shall know your financial condition.
3. You shall not spend more than you make.
4. You shall not buy on credit.
5. You shall not be in debt.
Although some scriptures were given to support these, I don't find them to be directives. Specifically, Romans 13:8, which speaks to not owing anyone anything, does not mean to not borrow. From a study by Beth Moore (on Romans) the wording used in this particular scripture means to not be owing anyone anything - or not to let a debt go unpaid after it's due. There is also an understood principle of not buying frivolously, especially when the money is not there to pay for it. It speaks to paying bills honorably and living frugally and wisely.
Also, Elizabeth George states that having a mortgage on a house (borrowing) is okay because it's an investment, but pretty much doesn't allow for any other borrowing - including for education (sorry, I think it's also an investment) or anything else. I believe that these are things that we have to take to God and get an answer from Him on. If we are stewards of what He has given us, believe Him that He will provide, and are living content, He will guide us when it is appropriate to purchase something on credit out of necessity.
Another point I wanted to be sure to make is that there is nothing in scripture that calls a wife to be in charge of her family's finances. There is also nothing in scripture that calls a husband to be in charge of family finances. It is something that both partners should be involved in, aware of, and should rely on God for direction on who is "in charge." It should be a partnership and an area that through God's guidance, the best plan for each individual family figures out for themselves.
According to my experience and understanding I believe that the following principles are direct and clear in scripture. They are:
1. You shall practice self-control.
2. You shall give generously.
3. You shall not love money.
4. You shall not covet what others have.
5. You shall give regularly to your church.
Also according to my experience and understanding, I believe that although the following principles are good ones, they are not direct and clear in scripture. They are:
1. You shall have reserve.
2. You shall know your financial condition.
3. You shall not spend more than you make.
4. You shall not buy on credit.
5. You shall not be in debt.
Although some scriptures were given to support these, I don't find them to be directives. Specifically, Romans 13:8, which speaks to not owing anyone anything, does not mean to not borrow. From a study by Beth Moore (on Romans) the wording used in this particular scripture means to not be owing anyone anything - or not to let a debt go unpaid after it's due. There is also an understood principle of not buying frivolously, especially when the money is not there to pay for it. It speaks to paying bills honorably and living frugally and wisely.
Also, Elizabeth George states that having a mortgage on a house (borrowing) is okay because it's an investment, but pretty much doesn't allow for any other borrowing - including for education (sorry, I think it's also an investment) or anything else. I believe that these are things that we have to take to God and get an answer from Him on. If we are stewards of what He has given us, believe Him that He will provide, and are living content, He will guide us when it is appropriate to purchase something on credit out of necessity.
Another point I wanted to be sure to make is that there is nothing in scripture that calls a wife to be in charge of her family's finances. There is also nothing in scripture that calls a husband to be in charge of family finances. It is something that both partners should be involved in, aware of, and should rely on God for direction on who is "in charge." It should be a partnership and an area that through God's guidance, the best plan for each individual family figures out for themselves.
Finances
This week there are not a ton of notes. There are not many, really. This is because much of the material was covered in the book and there was much discussion during session. The basics are:
Finances is an area we have to be very careful in - not to focus on it too much, and to make sure that our perspective is a biblical one.
The three main things we need to do to manage our finances well are - Perspective, Priorities, and Prayer.
Perspective
1. we must honor what God has given us - stewardship
Matthew 25:14-30
2. we must believe God and His Word - He provides
Luke 11:3
Galatians 3:6-7
2 Peter 1:3
3. we must trust and rely on God - contentment
Romans 8:35 -39
Finances is an area we have to be very careful in - not to focus on it too much, and to make sure that our perspective is a biblical one.
The three main things we need to do to manage our finances well are - Perspective, Priorities, and Prayer.
Perspective
1. we must honor what God has given us - stewardship
Matthew 25:14-30
2. we must believe God and His Word - He provides
Luke 11:3
Galatians 3:6-7
2 Peter 1:3
3. we must trust and rely on God - contentment
Romans 8:35 -39
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I. Priorities
· How well does what we say our priorities are line up with how we live/decisions we make day-today?
· It’s real easy to say what our priorities are, and to say the right thing – God, husband, children, others – but it’s harder to put our priorities into practice.
· Why?
a. We’re flesh and therefore imperfect, weak, and selfish
- Matthew 26:41
- Romans 6:19a
- The majority of the New Testament is letters to Christians on how to behave, reminding them that they were bought by Jesus’ blood and should now (choose) to live according to the spirit
- Romans 6:1-14
- Galatians 5:16-17
- Philippians 2:3
- Colossians 3:1-3
- 1 Peter 4:1-2
- 1 John 2:1
b. We live in a world that says:
- Me first
- You second
- God – who?
c. Our perspectives are often more influenced by what the world says than by what the Bible (God) says.
· It’s real easy to say what our priorities are, and to say the right thing – God, husband, children, others – but it’s harder to put our priorities into practice.
· Why?
a. We’re flesh and therefore imperfect, weak, and selfish
- Matthew 26:41
- Romans 6:19a
- The majority of the New Testament is letters to Christians on how to behave, reminding them that they were bought by Jesus’ blood and should now (choose) to live according to the spirit
- Romans 6:1-14
- Galatians 5:16-17
- Philippians 2:3
- Colossians 3:1-3
- 1 Peter 4:1-2
- 1 John 2:1
b. We live in a world that says:
- Me first
- You second
- God – who?
c. Our perspectives are often more influenced by what the world says than by what the Bible (God) says.
Perspectives
Below you'll find several posts about perspectives. I've left them pretty much blank so that I can get feedback for each on worldy vs. Biblical views in the areas of husbands/marriage, children, and the home. I also did this in class. I'll share what the class came up with in the comments sections of each in the next few days.
Marriage/Husband - Biblical Views
Use this post to share Biblical views of marriage and how we should view our husbands.
III. Play
· John 10:10
· Philippians 4:4
· We are to enjoy:
o Our husbands – Song of Songs
o Our children – Deuteronomy 6:7; John 16:21
o Our homes – Proverbs 31
I. Prayer
· Philippians 4:4
· We are to enjoy:
o Our husbands – Song of Songs
o Our children – Deuteronomy 6:7; John 16:21
o Our homes – Proverbs 31
I. Prayer
IV. Prayer
· 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
· Romans 12:2
· Ephesians 6:18
· Philippians 4:6
· Colossians 4:2
· James 5:16
· What should we pray for?
o For our husbands/marriage
o For our children
o For our homes
· Romans 12:2
· Ephesians 6:18
· Philippians 4:6
· Colossians 4:2
· James 5:16
· What should we pray for?
o For our husbands/marriage
o For our children
o For our homes
Third session
Welcome to the third session. I'm going to post backwards tonight, so you can read from top to bottom. There will also be several posts asking for feedback. Looking forward to some discussion!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)