Finding Financial Contentment

Living within one’s income and learning to see money as God sees it. Ecclesiastes 5:10

In these tough times many of us have reduced income for various reasons. As followers of Christ it is our responsibility to properly manage whatever we have been given. Some people think once you know the Lord you are immune to human failings and the lure and deceit of the world to spend, spend, spend. Sorry, but we are STILL human, and God said all things are becoming new. There is hardly anything worse financially, than not knowing what is in the checkbook and fearing to answer the telephone because it might be a creditor.

Many people have found help in evaluating their motives and spending habits with the following questions.

What will help you stand firm against making money mistakes?

• Be on guard – beware of your most vulnerable areas so you can avoid a fall. – I Corinthians 10:13 – Identify temptation
• Be diligent and discerning – see through the lies and rationalization of the enemy. Matthew 4:3-4

Recognize Money Mistakes that “even Christians” make

Focusing on self

1. Indulgence (I Timothy 6: 10-11, Phil. 4:11, Hebrews 13:5) (What am I pursuing and longing for)
2. Impatience (Phil. 4:19, James 1:2-6 and 2 Peter 1: 3-9) (Am I missing anything I need to LIVE and couldn’t wait for?)
3. Ignorance (2 Cor. 2:11, Eph. 5:6, Eph. 4:17-22) (Have I been fooled by Satan in the past with money)
4. Pride (James 4:6, Ps. 40:4) (Am I ready to humbly ask God for help)

Disobedience (not taking the responsibility to obey)

1. Procrastination (or laziness) (I Tim. 5:8, Prov. 20:13, Prov. 13:18 (a) (Have I done all I can)
2. Ungratefulness (Ps. 26:7, Ps. 95:2) (What do I have to be thankful for)
3. Stubbornness (Prov. 11:14, Prov. 12:15, Prov. 15:22) (Have I sought counsel)
4. Hoarding (Prov. 11:28, Prov. 11:24, Prov. 3: 9-10) (What can I share with others
5. Distrust (Eph. 5:22-33) (Am I / are we / following God’s order in our marriage – can my spouse’s heart safely trust me with money?)
6. Deceit (Gal. 6:7-8, Mark 4:19, Prov. 21:6, and Eph. 5:6) (Have I deceived God or my spouse, or allowed myself to be deceived by others to get something)

Once you have resolved these issues and created a budget be sure you are able to scripturally defend your financial plan and spending. Psalm 119:11

We have been greatly influenced by Mary Hunt’s common sense approach to finances, and have been able to help others using her plan and materials.

Specific tools for getting out of financial difficulty can be found in Mary Hunt’s books and website Living Debt Free.

See http://www.debtproofliving.com/

2 Comments on “Finding Financial Contentment”

1. Thanks. I needed that!

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   • What a precious comment to receive after following God’s prompting to post something a little different. I appreciate you Mary.

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