THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND MONEY

INTRODUCTION
2 Cor 12:14
Look, for the third time I am ready to
come to you, and I will not be a burden to
you, because I do not want your
possessions, but you. For children should
not have to save up for their parents, but
parents for their children.

SOME BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON MONEY
1. Saving for Future Needs Is Biblical
Some Christians don’t save for retirement because they believe
it’s disobedient (usually quoting Matt. 6:19–20), or they feel
guilty about putting money away when others are in such great
need. Others believe it isn’t necessary because God will take
care of them (Isa. 46:4). And some would like to save but spend
everything they make (Prov. 13:18).
You may be surprised to learn that saving is actually encouraged
in the Bible. Scripture condones saving for known, anticipated
needs in the future (Gen. 41; Prov. 6:6–11; Prov. 21:5; Prov.
21:20).

2. Saving Honors God and Serves Others
It would be easy to think of saving as a purely selfish activity.
That can indeed be the case—we need only read about the rich
fool in Luke 12—but it doesn’t have to be.
Saving honors God because it rightly values money as a gift that
he has given to us (James 1:16–17). Instead of unplanned,
impulsive, or foolish spending, wise saving demonstrates the
importance of stewarding his gifts (Luke 12:47–48).
Proper stewardship will put you in a better position to help with
important needs as they arise (Eph. 4:28). You can respond more
quickly and perhaps in a more significant way (Prov. 3:27).
Saving may also allow you to leave an inheritance, blessing your
heirs so they can then be a blessing to others (Prov. 13:22).

4. Debt Is Debilitating
The Bible isn’t silent about debt. There obviously weren’t Visa
cards or auto loans in Jesus’s time, but lending and borrowing
were part of the economic landscape. The Bible doesn’t strictly
prohibit debt, but it does characterize debt as a form of bondage
(Prov. 22:7).

5. Wise Investing Is Right and Good
Investing isn’t stock trading. It’s not about betting the farm on a
hot tip from your brother-in-law. Such speculating amounts to
gambling on future events, and most of the time you lose more
than you gain (Prov. 28:19; 1 Tim. 6:10).
Investing is actually commended if done wisely. It’s about
putting money into real businesses that employ people and
deliver products or services to customers. Hopefully, the
companies we invest in do well and provide a return
commensurate with our investment (Prov. 31:10–31; Eccl. 11:1–
6).
Most of us would do well to invest in low-cost, passively
managed, mutual and exchange-traded index funds (ETFs)

MONEY MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
Principle 1: Grow Your Earnings
Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people. Proverbs 22:29 (NLT)
Principle 2: Spend Less than You Earn
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a
foolish man devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20 (NIV, 1984)
Paraphrase: Wise people have plenty left over because they don’t
spend all they make. On the other hand, fools spend all they get
(and maybe even more).
Once you have an income, you MUST spend less than that income to
make financial progress.

Principle 3: Invest to Make Your Money Grow
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money
little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11 (NIV)
Once you’ve ramped up your savings, then it’s time to invest.
Find a reasonable investment that fits your goals. Whatever your
choice, put your money into it then sit back and watch it grow.
The magic happens as compounding works. Your money
increases over time, growing on itself over and over again.
Eventually the money you’ve earned from your investments will
be worth more than what you initially put in.
This is why time is the best way to maximize your investment
return. It multiplies what you’ve invested.

Principle 4: Avoid Debt
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the
lender. Proverbs 22:7 (NET)
And that’s about the best thing the Bible says about debt! In
fact, the Bible discourages the use of debt EVERY TIME it
mentions the subject.
Only borrow for things that increase or hold their value, such as
homes or college.
Even then, borrow only what you really need.
Do not borrow for depreciating assets like cars, furniture, and
the like.

Principle 5: Give
Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high
returns. Ecclesiastes 11:1 (The Message)
Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (CEV)
NEVER STOP GIVING
ALL FORMS OF GIVING

SO HE PROSPERED 2 Chronicles 31:20-21
20. Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and
he did what was good and right and true before
the LORD his God.
21. And in every work that he began in the
service of the house of God, in the law and in
the commandment, to seek his God, he did it
with all his heart. So he prospered.

VRS 21
What ever work Hezekiah did, he saw it as service in the
house of God.
What ever you are involved in in Church, you are not
serving Pastor, you are not serving CCC, you are not
serving man, you are serving God.
It’s a service to God. Ushers, protocol, teachers, children
teachers, group leaders, cleaners, service to God.
He did with all his heart - 100% commitment. No
complaints, no criticism, no murmurings, no insults, no
gossip, WITH ALL YOUR HEART

HOW HE DID IT – Vrs 20
1. He did what was good - Do a good work.
2. He did what was right - In line with God’s word
3. He did what was true - No falsehood, no lies, no
fabrications, no gossips.
GOOD, RIGHT AND TRUE BEFORE THE LORD YOUR
GOD.
Let God be your judge

CONCLUSION
SO HE PROSPERED