2015 church verse
Souls who follow their hearts THRIVE; You become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces . . .
God-loyal people always get a good life. (Proverbs 13:19-21 – The Message)
Of the “Five Essential Elements of Wellbeing” defined by the Gallup organization in a global study of more than 150 countries —
none is more important than FINANCIAL WELLBEING. What differentiates a thriving financial life from one spent simply surviving?
Gallup concluded that those who thrive financially all have three important things in common: 1. Financial Security, enough to afford basic needs –
2. Buying experiences rather than stuff - 3. Spending on others instead of solely on material possessions.
Unfortunately, all three financial security, buying experiences and spending on others - require the same thing: MONEY!
To be in a place where a thriving financial life is a possibility requires intentional planning and management on our part.
Developing sound financial management is important to living a vibrant life and putting those principles in place can be the difference
between a life of financial survival or a thriving adventure. Which describes you?
The enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (John 10:10 – The Message)
1. To thrive financially you must honor God first!
GIVE YOUR TITHES
Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” (Mark 12:17 – New Living Translation)
Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. You ask, “How have we robbed you?” The tithe and the offering —that’s how!
And now you’re under a curse— the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple so there will be ample provisions in my house.
Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. (Malachi 3:8-10 – The Message)
The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.
(Deuteronomy 14:23 – The Living Bible)
REMEMBER THE 2 G’S: GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY
2. To thrive financially you must cultivate contentment!
LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS
I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much . . .
I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. (Philippians 4:12 – The Message)
Let your lives be without love of money, and be content with the things you have.
(Hebrews 13:5 – Modern English Version)
There is a real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live.
We brought absolutely nothing with us when we entered the world and we can be sure we shall take absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. (1 Timothy 6:6 – Phillips Paraphrase New Testament)
We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. (Dave Ramsey)
3. To thrive financially you must work to Get Out Of Debt
BREAK FREE FROM FINANCIAL BONDAGE
Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
(Proverbs 22:7 – Good News Bible)
An evil person borrows and never pays back.
(Psalm 37:21 – Contemporary English Version)
THE DEBT SNOWBALL: List your debts in order. The smallest balance should be your number one priority to pay off.
The point is simply this: You need some quick wins in order to stay pumped up about getting out of debt!
Getting out of debt is not about math, it’s about motivation – it’s 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior.
When you start knocking off the smaller/easier debts, you will see results and you will stay motivated to dump the rest of your debt. (Dave Ramsey)
4. To thrive financially you must have a strategic plan
CREATE A BUDGET
Those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.
(1 Corinthians 4:2 – New Century Version)
A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences. (Proverbs 27:12 – Living Bible)
Your biggest wealth-building tool is your income, and the best way to harness the power of your income is the budget.
A budget is simply a plan, and this plan is the fastest way to wherever you want to go,
from simply taking control of your money to getting out of debt. (Dave Ramsey)
A SPENDING PLAN – A SAVINGS PLAN
Let’s Pray