Our guest writer's new book!

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.” – Proverbs 29:18 NASB

This scripture is commonly used as a challenge to set goals and cast vision — it simply means that without some sort of revelation or vision, people run wild, doing what they want to do and saying what they want to say.   Those without vision are not bound to anything; anyone and anything can get them off track … they never, indeed,  had a track to begin with.

Do you have a financial vision?

When I think about Proverbs 29:18 in relation to our financial lives, I see that there is a direct correlation between having a financial plan or financial vision and getting too off track in your finances. If you don’t have an agenda for how you want to use your money, you will be subject to anyone else’s agenda. If you don’t create a plan for how you want to use your money, someone will. Maybe you will fall prey to the media’s attempt to advertise products you don’t actually need. Maybe you will be swindled by someone who tells you about a great investment that you just need to have. Maybe you will be taken by a phony nonprofit organization who begs for money for their non-existent project. Who knows? You didn’t have a vision for how you wanted to use your money, and so maybe everything looks good.

Staying on track

Until you have created a vision for your finances, you are subject to everyone else’s agenda. It’s not about being slave to a plan, it’s about not being slave to everyone else’s plan for your money. You have nothing guiding you when you don’t have a plan in place. Have you ever had a goal that you were saving for? Remember how you would turn down certain things to spend money on because you knew that you were going somewhere? Maybe you saved up to buy your first house and had to say no to a few pairs of shoes along the way. Maybe you had to save money to go on vacation and had to forgo a few nights out. Or maybe you wanted to save up to start that business of yours and had to eat a few packs of Ramen Noodles along the way. Whatever it, was, you had a vision. And that vision restrained you. It kept you from getting too far off track. It kept you from not hitting your goal. And it was so sweet once you reached your goal, wasn’t it?

It felt good for me to walk into the furniture store and pick out a living room set, knowing that I didn’t have to buy it on credit. I had the money saved. I had a plan for how I wanted to use it. And that plan kept me from getting off track. And kept me from having to get into debt in order to reach that goal.

I encourage you today, to begin creating a financial vision for your money. If you don’t, someone or something else will.

I want to thank Shayna Lear for this guest post.  Shayna is a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant with more than ten years of financial services experience. Presently she is enrolled in the Master’s in Divinity and Master’s in Economic Development programs at Palmer Seminary and Eastern University respectively.

Shayna’s new book Money on Purpose: Finding a Faith-Filled Balance promises to help you discover your own financial personality, and then learn practical and faithful strategies to restore a healthy and faith-filled balance to your financial life.  Give it a look!

Related posts:

1. Bible Financial Experts

Although Jesus spoke often about money, we often delegate those teachings to a long ago time in the Mid-East instead of applying them to life here and now.  It seems that many of us have allowed our 21st century American values distort Jesus’ teachings.  How about you?  I challenge you to read of fictional Jim and Judy below, then, before continuing, ask yourself these two questions:

1. Which of these do I most admire?
2. What would Jesus say about these two?

Jim started his own company, manages it well and continues to pump profits back into his firm.  Because his savings and investments will  generate a substantial income for the rest of his life,  Jim plans to do whatever boating, golfing and vacationing he so desires.

Judy is destitute; a widow whose bank account hovers near zero.  She recently gave her last two dollars to the Salvation Army.

How did you answer?  Want to know what Jesus thinks?  Read on.

Story One

Then He told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.  He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’  Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.  And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”‘

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

Story Two

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts.  Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.  Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.  For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”  (Mark 12: 41-44)

How did you do?

How well did your answers align with Jesus’ thoughts?  My hunch is that most of us would congratulate the entrepreneur for his enterprising spirit while warning the widow about squandering what little she had.  However,  according to Jesus, we need to ask ourselves how we can better emulate the widow while distancing ourselves from the rich man.  How can we do this?  These tips will help:

•  Recognize that everything belongs to God.  This means EVERYTHING…not just a 10% tithe, but 100% of everything in our possession.  Once this truth infiltrates the depth of our being, we will openly seek God’s plans for what He wants done with His money.  The widow gave everything to God.  We should too.  Normally God will let us keep enough of his money to live on, but make no mistake: it is all His.

• Recognize that money is not your source of security.  The rich man’s financial success gave him a feeling of security, but he was nevertheless a fool.  Why?  Because he had planned for this life only while giving no thought to what might happen to him after he died.  True security, of course, is a rich relationship with God.

• Consider yourself a conduit.  As God’s money flows to you, it will also flow from you.  Keep that conduit clean so the flow will be unimpeded.

• Cap your standard of living.  This is very much an individual choice, but once you set that standard of living, you won’t be thinking you need a newer car or bigger house every time you get a pay raise.  John Piper, in his book “Desiring God”, says, “The issue is not how much money a person makes.  The evil is in being deceived into thinking that a $100,000 salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 lifestyle.”

• Cap your savings.  Again, this is an individual choice, but once you determine how much of God’s money you should hang on to, do so and give the rest away.  To allow that retirement account, for example, go grow unhindered is tantamount to hoarding.  Is this not what the rich fool was doing?

• Plan for trepidation.  Being a property manager for another means that the true owner, at any time, may ask you to give away huge chunks of his assets.  At times, doing so may stretch our faith and spike our anxiety level, but this is a good thing.  If we never allow ourselves to be the least bit nervous, we are probably not living close enough to the edge.

Right now, we may be more like the rich fool than we are the poor widow.  However, by thinking through our priorities and acting on them, we will grow closer to the widow… and to the heart of Jesus.

Readers:  any thoughts about the wealthy entrepreneur and the destitute widow? 

Related posts:

1. Four Lessons From Some Wealthy Beggars
2. Johnny Appleseed: An Unlikely Entrepreneur
3. Interview With an Internet Entrepreneur

How do YOU deal with criticism?

When was the last time someone shared his or her criticism with you about something you were doing?  Was it constructive or negative?  Did you take offense or embrace the advice?
The Bible gives us some insights on handling criticism, so the next time you’re approached by a critic, consider what these scriptures say.

Sometimes We Need to Hear It

Proverbs 13:18  If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored.

Simply put, if we ignore criticism from others, we may end up doing something we regret later.  Accepting criticism doesn’t mean that you’re accepting defeat.  Yes, it’s usually humbling, but God tells us that he uses humility in our lives for his glory.

It Can Help Us to Grow in Understanding

Proverbs 15:31-32 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

The keyword here is constructive criticism.  Not all criticism is good – and we’ll address that in a second.  The bottom line is that we can gain wisdom and understanding if we listen to the criticism of people who we trust.  Ignoring helpful advice only causes us harm as the Proverb says.

Refusing All Criticism isn’t Healthy

Proverbs 29:1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair.

Do you know someone who is a ‘know it all.’  How’s that working out for them?  Success in business and relationships is hinged on adaptation.  If we aren’t willing to make corrections in our actions when necessary, our businesses will fail and our relationships will eventually collapse.

Recognizing Healthy Criticism and Negative Criticism

Criticism isn’t all that bad – life has it, God allows it, and we can use it to grow in understanding.  The negative side of criticism is rooted in selfishness, envy, and jealousy – all of which are present in the world.  Inevitably, you’ll be faced with criticism that is rooted in these things, and that’s what I would consider to be negative criticism.

The next time you’re approached with a criticism, ask these things:

Is it from a person you respect?

The people closest to you understand you the most and usually have your best interest at heart.  If someone who hasn’t a clue about your situation is criticizing you, don’t be quick to take the advice.

Is the criticism true?

Sometimes people just have the facts wrong.  If the criticism is rooted in anything other than the facts, take it with a grain of salt.  The criticism is probably rooted in envy, jealousy, or selfishness, so let it go or ask someone you trust to give their opinion.

Does this person always have a criticism to share?

Some people have the gift of encouragement, others have the ‘gift of criticism.’  I’m being facetious here…  Look, criticism isn’t a spiritual gift and if someone is constantly dealing out criticisms, they’re not a healthy person to take advice from.  It’s simply unbiblical to bring up criticisms to others in a jeering, selfish way.

Have you been on the receiving (or giving) end of a criticism lately?  Was it rooted in Biblical truths or jealousy and selfishness?

Tim is a personal finance writer at Faith and Finance a Christian financial help blog that provides financial insights for individuals, businesses, and churches. Outside of finance, Tim enjoys spending time with his wife, playing the saxophone, reading economics books, and a good game of RISK or Catan. Find him on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to the Faith and Finance RSS feed.

Related posts:

1. Dealing With Disaster: Lessons From Job
2. “No” is a Great Word. Five Biblical Reasons For Using It
3. Dealing With Poor Performance: Lessons From Simon Cowell and Jesus Christ

Did you read about the money which was fluttering through the air recently on Interstate 270 in Maryland?  Two plastic bags containing about $5,700 in bills and coins fell from an armored truck and seemed fair game for motorists.  In fact, according to one witness, about 30 cars pulled over and began grabbing handfuls of cash.  Police say that nearly all of the money was taken.  Although Maryland State Police have urged people to return the money to their local headquarters, no one, at last report, had.

David Dishneau, in an AP article, asked various people what they would have done had they encountered this fluttering money.  Tell me what you think of their responses:

•  Chicago billing clerk Stephany Harris, 53, “Of course I would,” she said. “If the armored car had been in an accident of something, I’d make sure the drivers were OK and I’d call 911. But I’d put as much money in my pockets (as I could) and run.”   But what if her kids were there? “I absolutely would not take any money,” she answered again without hesitation. “I wouldn’t want them to get the message that grabbing money that is not yours is the right thing to do.”

•  Jeff Bora, 30, of Chicago said he would stop to make sure none of the money was stolen. “I’d start picking it up and I’d call police right away,” he said. As a former lawyer and prosecutor, he knows that it’s stealing and he could land in serious trouble. Even if he was alone and could get away undetected, he said he still wouldn’t do it: “It would be about how I would feel about myself later. Bad karma would get me in the end.”

•  Another kind of karma occurred to Dennis Lowe, 30, of Providence, R.I. He said it’s simple human nature, especially if the money is from an armored truck. Lowe added that plenty of Americans are fed up with banks, insurance companies and other corporations that move cash in armored trucks. “The money is insured,” he said while waiting downtown for a bus. “They’ve been taking money from me, so it’s just karma.”

•  India Spidell, 19, of Providence said it sounded a little too much like theft to her, but she would be tempted if it came from an armored truck and not someone’s purse or wallet. “Is that bad?” she asked. “I don’t know if it should make a difference, but it seems like it would.”

•  Anthony Janni, 36, a bartender in Hagerstown, said he understands why people would stop for “money that seems to just fall into their hands,” but he probably wouldn’t have done so.  “The highway’s not necessarily the place to do something like that,” Janni said. “It’s not something worth causing an accident over.”

•  Brian Gates, 32, of Cincinnati said he would get out to pick up the cash, with a few conditions. If he had kids and they were in the car, he wouldn’t do it. He also wouldn’t risk his safety. “I’m not going to take a chance of endangering my life or others for money,” he said. If he was alone? “Oh yeah! If there is money out there. We can all use money.“

•  Jeanetta Campbell, 40, is a part-time mail clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in Cincinnati. She said she certainly wouldn’t leave her kids in a car to chase money and she probably wouldn’t do it if she was alone. The denomination of the bills might make a difference.  “If it was hundred-dollar bills, it would be worth it,” she said, laughing. “But if was just (single) dollars, no.”

There you go.  Only one of those interviewed (Jeff Boro) would not have taken the money under any circumstances.   Jeanetta Campbell might do it if it was hundred-dollar bills.  Brian Gates and Anthony Janni  would likely be deterred by the danger factor.   Gates and Stephanie Harris would have refrained if their kids were watching.  Dennis Lowe justified taking the money because it was his opportunity to get even and because it was insured, and India Spidell would be more prone to take the money simply because it came from an armored truck.

My Questions

I am not all that surprised by these responses, but I am disappointed.  Apparently, many people have slippery standards of right and wrong, basing their behavior on whether they might get caught or who is watching.  I wonder: if we wouldn’t do something because we didn’t want our kids to watch, why would we do it when they are not watching?  Would the people who rationalized taking this money:

•  Take money from a billfold they found if they knew no one would ever know?

• Not report cash income if they knew the IRS would never know?

• Not report earnings while drawing unemployment compensation?

• Fake an injury from an automobile accident?

• Have an extra-marital affair if they were positive no one would find out?

• Take an extra hour for lunch when the boss is not around?

I have heard that true character can be defined as what a person does when no one else is around.  Based on this fluttering money incident, true character is in short supply.

Readers:  Am I overreacting?  Do you see a character issue here?   What would YOU have done?

Related posts:

1. Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You?

I realize that writing about my great wealth smells of braggadocio, but hear me out: I take no credit because my role has always seemed more passive than active.  This wealth, you may have guessed, is of a nature which transcends any monetary standard.  Based on the following three criteria, my net worth is at least three times that of all the riches in the world.

My wife is precious.

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10

I met Janice when I was a heathen engineer, living the party life like there was no tomorrow.  Although I didn’t immediately recognize that God was living in her, I knew that she possessed a quality in her life that I didn’t have — perhaps it was that virtue and capability that Proverbs 31:10 describes.  At any rate, opposites somehow attracted and we married — 41 years ago.   Two months later, my Uncle Sam called my name for military service (I was drafted) and four months after that, I was sent to Viet Nam.  During that period of time, Janice’s daily letters were my source of hope and our love grew stronger in spite of this forced separation.  I came to Christ while overseas and our marriage relationship spiked a few notches upward: Jan and I became comrades in faith.  When our family of two grew to three (and eventually four, five and six), Jan chose to be a stay at home mom.  I never offered to trade places with her.  She was fulfilling her calling — to our family and to our God.

More precious than rubies?  I wouldn’t trade these past 41 years with Janice (or the next 41 years) for all the rubies in the world.  I am a wealthy man.

Our children are a blessing to their generation

“How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying His commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”  Psalm 112: 1,2

Our children, of course, were far from perfect — we know what it is to receive those 3 AM phone calls from the Sheriff’s Department.  But eventually all four of them have come to a deep faith in Jesus…not blindly following in the footsteps of their parents, but struggling with the big questions of a life with Christ, and daring to find those answers.  Today, all four of our children (a business manager, a school teacher, an insurance agent and a contract artist), are impacting their own generation in countless ways.  Perhaps the attributes that I am most proud of is that all four of them genuinely enjoy each other’s company and they all love and respect their parents.

What is the value of having such children?  More than all the riches this world could offer.  I am a wealthy man.

I have a relationship with God.

The rich and famous of this world hobnob with other rich and famous people of this world.  But I have the privilege of speaking with the creator of the universe every single day.  I mentioned earlier that I came to Christ, but a more accurate description is that Christ came to me.  I was the Romans 5:8 poster child: “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  He was the initiator; I was the recipient.  I have no doubt whatsoever that the riches of my marriage and children are a direct result of a life with Christ.

What kind of value can be placed on a relationship with the God of the universe?  Perhaps Matthew 16:26 gives us our answer:  “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?”

My soul is more valuable than all of the wealth of the entire world.  Would I give up my salvation to own everything?  Of course not.  I am a wealthy man.

There you have it.  My wife, my children and my God … each of greater value than all the riches this world contains.  If I sound a bit smug, please forgive me.  As I stated in the beginning of this article, I take no credit for these riches.  But I am eternally grateful for them.

Readers:  How about you?  What do you consider your greatest source of wealth?

Related posts:

1. Why to Build Wealth…Five Wrong Reasons and One Right One
2. An Excellent Wife is a Catalyst For Wealth
3. 4 Reasons Why Wealth Should NOT be Your Financial Goal

You’ve heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, right? Since his biography came out, everyone is a Bonhoeffer fan. And why shouldn’t they be? He stood against Hitler (the only man everyone agrees deserves to go to Hell) and eventually died fighting the Nazis and spreading the Gospel of Christ.

He’s a cool dude, and his biography is worth picking up.

Besides fighting Nazi’s and being written about, he also wrote a few books. One I’ve been reading recently is called Life Together. It’s a great book that I’d recommend to Christians at any point in their life.

The Bread is God’s

As I was reading the other night, I was really struck by something Bonhoeffer says. I’ll quote him at length:

The Scriptures say, “If any will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thes 3:10), and thus make the receiving of bread strictly dependent upon working for it. But the Scriptures do not say anything about any claim that the working person has upon God for his bread. The work is commanded, indeed, but the bread is God’s free and gracious gift.” (Emphasis mine)

Grace is and always will be the center of the Christian life. We’ve never earned a single thing – not our money, our careers, our families, or even the food we eat.

And yet, our culture and our actions tell a different story. We live the kind of story that says, “I worked hard and I earned this.” God’s story doesn’t work that way. Bonhoeffer fearlessly reminds the reader that God owes us nothing. That while you and I are commanded to work, we are not guaranteed rewards for that work. God does not promise to take care of you if you work hard. You can’t earn anything.

That goes double for other areas of success like family and personal development. God has no obligation to reward us for the work we do.

And yet, He does.

He openly feeds the hungry; has given readers of this website untold wealth that allows us to do things like own and drive cars, live in houses, surf the internet, and never go hungry for more than a few hours.

And while I’ve never deserved even the scraps from his table, he continues to provide for my needs (and most of my wants).

Thank Him

After reading that quote, I’ve started praying over meals again. I’ve been thanking God for the food He gives so freely. Yes, I work hard, but I don’t really earn any of the money I receive from my labors. It is God who earns it and who gives it to me. It is Him who offers me the money to feed my family, pay my bills, and enjoy the wonders of this life.

It is a gift, not a right. And It’s something I’m learning to appreciate.

Do you earn your money, or is it a gift from God? Are how you feel and how you think about this in conflict?

Alex Humphrey is a personal finance writer and coach at EntrepreLife a personal finance blog that teaches easy ways to dominate money by dropping debt, investing well, and saving for the things you love to do. When he’s not blogging he leads a youth group, spends time with his wife, and figures out new ways to teach people personal finances. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to the EntrepreLife mailing list.

They were actually "threadbare and homeless"

Anyone who thinks the bible is boring simply hasn’t read it.  For example, Revelation 3:15-19 tells of a group of Christians who made Jesus sick to his stomach.  Why were they so repulsive?

They were lukewarm.

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot–far better to be either cold or hot!  You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit.”  Rev 3:15-16  (The Message)

Ever drink any lukewarm milk?  Yuck!  Milk is best, in my opinion, when it is ice cold.  This being said, I know that some people will heat their milk, especially as a late night drink before going to bed.  But room temperature milk would turn my stomach…and probably yours.  Jesus expects his followers to be either hot or cold.  Those who are hot will love him and serve him wholeheartedly; the cold ones, because they know nothing about him, are open to learning.  But anyone who is wishy washy about an encounter with the resurrected Christ makes him want to puke.

How about us?  Is Jesus the center of our lives or is He somewhere on the periphery?    Do we love Jesus more than anything else in this world?  Do our lives show it?

They trusted their wealth.

“You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”  Rev 3:17

Their wealth wasn’t their downfall, but putting their trust in that wealth was.  These guys were so cocky that they thought they needed nothing from anyone.  Obviously, they were wrong – in heaven’s eyes they were utterly bankrupt: “pitiful blind beggars, threadbare and homeless.”

How about us?  Is our security based on our net worth, our cash flow and our 401k’s?   How secure would we be if we lost it all?

BUT…there is hope.

“Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.  The people I love, I call to account–prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!”  Rev 3:18-19

Jesus made it clear that he never gave up on these believers.  In fact, he loves them so much that he will “prod and correct and guide” them until they change their priorities and place their trust in Him (instead of their wealth).

 How about us?  Do we ever give up hope?  Do we think that we have strayed so far away from God that He gives up on us?

The Good News is that He hasn’t given up on us and He never will — even if our actions make him sick to his stomach.

Readers:  Is it easy or not so easy for you to put your trust in God instead of your wealth?  Do you think you would be richer toward God if you had fewer material possessions? 

Related posts:

1. Jesus: The Only Man Ever Born Who Could be Messiah! Just Figure the Odds.
2. Am I a Rich Fool?
3. Can Rich People Get to Heaven?

Although I am NOT a “name it and claim it” Christian, I believe God is actively at work in my life.  I also believe that Jesus’ words, “… give and it will be given to you” are still applicable today.  Where am I going with this?  I recently experienced an amazing convergence of two seemingly unrelated events:  a mission trip sponsorship request and a negotiation with an advertiser for my blog.  Were they coincidence of providence?  Read on.

First the mission trip request.

A friend recently sent me a letter asking me to consider helping sponsor her for an upcoming inner city mission trip.  As I read the request, I immediately knew that I wanted to help, but (as is my penchant) I procrastinated.  The letter laid on my desk for at least a week, but I always seemed to have something more pressing to do.

Secondly, the advertiser.

My negotiations with a potential advertiser had come to a halt: after my most recent counter offer, I had heard nothing from him…for weeks.  I therefore assumed it was a dead deal.

Now: the event. 

After shuffling the mission request letter on my desk for the nth time, I decided to act on it.  I re-read the request, opened my checkbook, and gave an amount that I felt that I should give.  I stuck the check into the included envelope, stood up, walked to our front hallway, put a stamp on it and posted it in our mailbox.  I then walked back into my office to notice that while I was posting the letter, I had received a new email …from my advertiser…agreeing to my last counter offer, which happened to be ten times the amount I sent for the mission trip.

I immediately knew that this was one of those “God things”.  No, I am not getting weird, but I do believe that God was showing me that He wants to bless me, especially when I bless others.  Do I believe that I discovered a magic formula to untold riches?  Of course not.  Will I expect such amazing timing with future gifts?  Not necessarily.

All I know is this: on that day, at that moment in time, I gave and I received.  It may never happen like that again, but this remarkable event has caused me to realize that, over the years, God has given and given and given to me.  I have a family who loves and respects me in spite of myself, a gracious church family who continually supports and encourages me, and a few close friends who will stick with me through good times and bad.

A few unexpected bucks only punctuates what God has already been doing.

Providence?  Absolutely!  Coincidence?  No way.

Readers:  When unexpected and unorchestrated events occur in your life, do you tend to attribute them to providence or coincidence?

Related posts:

1. 102 Adventurers, Pestilence, A Mysterious Native American and Providence

A "Bless Envelope" is great for spontaneous giving.

I write this post as much to myself as to you: I fully realize how money will persistently and insidiously seek to capture a bigger and bigger portion of my heart and my life.  I also know this: drifting through life doesn’t work because I seldom drift closer to God.

Perhaps this is why Jesus declared these two loves to be polar opposites, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

I am convinced that we need to be very intentional about keeping God first and money last.  These nine tips will help:

 1. Have a regular prayer time.

I am not talking about praying over a meal or even talking to God as you drive to work.  These prayers are fine, but loving God means committing your time to Him.  Set aside some time every day just for Him.  He would love for you to do so.

 2. Serve others.

The second greatest commandment (after loving God) is to love others.  Do you serve your family?  Do you serve your co-workers (even your subordinates)?  Do you check on the widow who lives down the street?  Do you volunteer to mentor a single parent child?

Notice that I haven’t said a word about money so far.  Why?  Because the best way to NOT love money is to proactively love God.  As Jesus said, we can’t love both.

Now: some money tips that will help us love God:

 3. Be a giver.

Why do I emphasize giving?  Because doing so is the antidote for loving money.

God is the ultimate giver (He gave his only son).  The more we develop a giver’s heart, the more we become like God and demonstrate our love for him.

 4. Plan to increase your giving for the rest of your life.

This isn’t about tithing, nor is it about legalism; it is about systematically ensuring that we never become complacent.  Some of you struggle to give anything at all while others are stuck at 10%.  Why not set a goal of giving a greater percentage annually for the rest of your life?  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to give 30% or 50% or 70%?  After all, this is about loving God; this is radical and this is about NOT being like everyone else.

 5. Plan to give spontaneously

Budget a set amount to keep on hand to be able to bless others as needs arise.  Jan and I keep a “Bless envelope” on hand packed with cash earmarked to give.  This is a fun, grass roots, way to keep our giving real.

 6. Down size your house

This isn’t, of course, for everyone, but it is a valid consideration if you are hanging onto  that five bedroom house after all of your children have moved out.  If you decide to keep that house, consider letting a college student or a single parent live with you rent free.  I realize “no one” does such things, but that is the point.

 7. Accountability partners

Do you know others who are striving to radically love Jesus?  Meet with them regularly to encourage each other, share ideas and give testimonies of ways that have worked.  Nothing motivates more than hearing from someone else who has actually done what you are considering.

 8. Automate your finances

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation.”  Keeping money easily accessible is, for some, a temptation.  We keep a small buffer balance in our regular checking account, then have every dollar above that buffer amount transferred monthly to a less accessible account.

 9. Set a maximum limit for how much you keep.  Give the rest away.

Change your thinking from how much you give to how much you will keep.  This is not a vow of poverty nor should it be a time for imprudence.  But, unless you set a cap, you will drift to higher and higher standards of living without realizing it.  Is this not what everyone around you does?  Be radical, set that cap, and you will start viewing those pay raises as opportunities to give more.  Again, a plan to love God instead of money.

I hope these few thoughts will motivate you to love money less and love God more.

What other ideas do you have?

Related posts:

1. Seven Ways God Works Through Our Finances
2. The Money Quiz: Do You Serve God or Money?
3. Who is Your Master: God or Money?

How does the phrase “be satisfied with what you have” strike you?  I confess that it bothers me.  I might be a pretty content guy, but the idea of being satisfied with what I have implies that I shouldn’t be hoping for more…a nicer house or a more dependable car or even a fancier cell phone.  Could this satisfaction be an indictment against ambition or a mandate for lethargy?  I wonder.

Yet scripture speaks clearly: “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.”

Because I believe that God’s word is always true whether I like it or not, I have been digging to better understand the “whys” and “hows” of this command.  Follow along for what I have been learning:

Why we should be satisfied with what we have.

• An Antidote to Loving Money

If you are struggling with this concept, let me ask you another question:  “Do you think it is OK to love money?”  I am guessing most of you are saying, “Of course not!  We should love God and each other…not money!”

Read Hebrews 13:5 again: “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.”

The problem is this: being content with our current circumstances is directly linked to NOT loving money.  Stated differently, if we are not satisfied with what we have, we evidently have a love for money.  But…the good news is this:  When we develop a satisfied mindset, we are liberated from loving money.  It is the antidote.

• We will learn to trust God.

The full verse reads, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”

What a promise!  But do we believe it?  Do I believe it?  Am I willing to transfer my love of money to a trust in God?  Great question, and here we are getting to the crux of the issue: being satisfied with what we have requires a deep trust in God.  That is a good thing.

• We will live without fear.

The very next verse in this passage reads, “So we can say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”

What do we fear?  Losing our jobs?  Not getting that next promotion?  As long we trust in ourselves or in other people, we are perpetually living on the verge of failure and disappointment.  However, if we can learn to trust God, who promises to never fail us or leave us, we have absolutely nothing to fear.

How can we learn to be satisfied with what we have?

Remembering that I am writing this to myself as well as to you, here are some bullet point thoughts:

• Be intentional about living with less instead of wanting more.

• When you accumulate more, give more.

• Be thankful for what you already have instead of resenting what you don’t have.

• Know the difference between needs and wants.

• Be satisfied with God’s sufficiency for your needs.

• Distinguish between temporal and eternal.  All of our money and possession in this life will pass away.  God’s provisions last forever.

You know…this being satisfied with what we have is sounding pretty good to me.  Doing so will break me free from a love of money, help me develop a deeper trust in God and purge fear from my life.

 I am going to go for it.  How about you?