Well, it's something to be here in a community where people are struggling and the economy has taken a nose dive, and we hear bad press not only on the news, on the television and the radio, & in the papers. People are afraid, and we're dealing with tough times, and there's a real concern about job loss and income lost and hours lost and territory lost. There's a real concern about pensions and savings going away. There's a real concern, and I'm going to say it, there's a real fear.
And the tendency that most have when times like this come upon us is to pull in and pull back and shrink back and hang on and try to ride it out and hope somebody else does something…
How do you live in tough times like this? You know, it's a legitimate question. It really is. What should we do? How should we respond?
The Bible has hundreds of references to money. Every civilization has used some form of currency for the exchange of goods and services. Every culture has had its wealthy and its poor people. Deuteronomy 8:18 states that it is God Who gives His people the power to get wealth, and it is God Who has promised all sufficiency in all things always, as 2 Corinthians 9:8 teaches.
There are many keys in the Bible that can be learned regarding accumulating honest wealth and the correct stewardship of it. This is vital to understand: God is owner of all, and He gives His people the opportunity and privilege to become good stewards.
Trusting God in hard times necessitates good stewardship. Affluence can give rise to laziness and financial carelessness, which may make it challenging initially when it's suddenly time to tighten the belt. Poverty can induce people to be greedy and stingy, and even to steal, and hard times can fuel that wrong thinking. Whatever background someone may be struggling with, Biblical principles can be learned and we can discover how to prosper and flourish in hard times.
First things first. God is the source of all provision, so “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9, 10)
It’s kinda funny how some folks will just pick & choose what pieces of scripture they want to follow or abide by. And when it comes to tithing especially or money matters they will claim that ‘tithing’ is an O.T. Principle and not for today. Right? As if we get to choose what scriptures actually matter.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are some pieces of scripture we can appropriate to the specific ‘times’ of which they were written. Such as the principle in 1 Cor. 14 of women being quiet in the church--
Is a great example of writings specific to the Corinthian church which was dealing with multiple issues. That piece of scripture can be designated to a specific time - however there are still many principles written in that chapter & book that apply today.
With that said, the principle of money matters and giving to God first doesnt fall into that category - not even close - it is found all throughout the Bible.
This scripture in Prov. 3 says give to God first and you’ll live in abundance.
You know what other scripture is in Prov. 3 that we claim today, v.5&6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
God was setting us up in these verses 5&6 to prepare our hearts for verses 9&10.
Plus Jesus said in Matt. 6:33 Put God 1st and everything will work for your best.
I promise you He was including your finances. He’s talking about everything.
Right? Or is it that we can put God 1st in some areas of our lives and not others? (http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/7379/God-Pie)
Malachi 3:8-12 addresses tithing, which continues to be a rock-solid key to prosperity. Even unbelievers and non-Christian business people understand and practice charitable giving and the principle of return they see in their lives and business’
Bottom line folks, for us to flourish in hard times, in any time is to put God 1st in everything.
Giving is a joy, and there are always people less fortunate to share with. There can never be a harvest without sowing seeds. A generous attitude and a cheerful giver is something God can really bless.
“God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Christ followers should not fearfully hang on to every penny they have, but be like the Macedonian believers who had taken up an offering for another church in need, recorded in 2 Corinthians 8:3 and 4, “they gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do it. But they begged and pleaded with us to let them share in this service for God's people.”
That’s the heart of a cheerful giver. Are you a cheerful giver?
A good steward will value their own time as well as others' time. “Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.” (Proverbs 28:19 New Century Version) Colossians 3:23 teaches Christians to put their whole heart into their work. This will bring satisfaction and God's blessings. - put your nose to the grindstone. Get after it - don’t lie around w/ a whoa is me attitude
In hard times, the good steward controls spending and learns to live within a budget. This is not motivated by fear or uncertainty. It is motivated by love for one's family to take thoughtful, preventive actions so life and Christian service is not interrupted by self-inflicted crisis.
(1 Timothy 5:8) says it gently...
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
“Wise people's houses are full of the best foods and olive oil,
but fools waste everything they have.” (Proverbs 21:20)
Being a good steward requires a budget…
If at all possible, have a savings plan. Again, it's not out of fear, but with a purpose. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11 NIV) It may be for a vacation, or education, or an emergency fund. Even saving a little, is a little more than nothing.
You know what else the Bible tells us… it’s advisable to get out of debt. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) Having a financial plan, making menus and shopping lists, and having a debt payoff strategy are all good steps to take. The good steward is diligent and conscientious, watching over all details of their household. It takes a little extra time, but the payoff… literally is HUGE.
Can I tell you there was a time in our marriage when money matters, I’m talkin about the poor financial decisions we were making were the biggest argument in our marriage. Our financial decisions were creating a lot of strife & frustration. All of that went away… folks here me this morning, all of that went away when we diligently created a monthly budget.
And what is a budget? In the words of Dave Ramsey it’s
Telling your money where to go instead of wandering where it went.
It’s a great line.
So with that I would encourage you to utilize the tools available at DaveRamsey.com
On that website there are budgeting tools & forms and apps and much much more.
Start there. If you’ve never attended FPU… I would encourage you to attend that course - our church has provided it in the past and we’re gonna do it again - when we do, attend, especially if you never have or maybe go through it again if you feel you need a refresher course.
The only reason I mention this website and course is b/c I know personally it has helped my family tremendously.
What do you need during these tough times?
In conclusion, what have we learned thru scripture in Surviving Tough Times?
“Is any of you in trouble, he should pray.”
James 5:13 (NIV)
The foundation of all the help that we get from God is that we pray and we add to our faith.
How can I create “more” space for God in my life? - surrender?
What Are you focusing on? The pain, the difficulty, the hurt or the Healer?
Trusting God in hard times necessitates good stewardship.
We must put God 1st in ALL things
Giving is a joy and God will bless the cheerful giver
We must value our time as well as others' time - be diligent
And.. the good steward controls spending and learns to live within a budget
All of these principles folks are rooted in God’s Word
Now it’s time for you and me to apply them to our lives
And when we do that, not only will it help us greatly but we will shine.
Others will want to know how we are so stable in these tough times and we can tell them…
It is the Lord. It is the Lord.
video version: http://www.sermonconnect.com/mediapreview.php?id=20121014081006E6410C
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