Now Available - Faith and Finance: Peace With or Without Prosperity by Melissa Schworer

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By Melissa Schworer

Book Excerpts

"Money reveals the love of our heart. Money reveals the pride in our heart. Money reveals whether we want to do it God’s way, or our way. This is not anything new. It started out with Cain. Cain wanted to do it his way."

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"How many people have heard the story about the drunk who got his paycheck and drank it away leaving a starving family at home?

What about the man who bought a sports car, went golfing every weekend, went out to eat with his friends weekly and when he died he left his family with piles of debt and no life insurance?"

Faith and Finance: His Peace

Just starting here?  The rest of the articles in this series are listed at the end.

SECTION FOUR:  HIS PEACE

Peace in a father's arms.

I find it consistent that almost everything the world stresses that we need to have peace and contentment usually is in direct opposition to what God’s Word directs.

I entitled this article “Faith and Finance - Peace With or Without Prosperity” because God’s Word promises peace to those who keep their mind upon Him; not those who keep their checking account full.  That is why I have stressed that we “Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus” and “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”

I would recommend surfing on the internet less, watching less TV and spending less time window shopping.  We are inundated with marketing everywhere we turn.  We just end up comparing our lives with others, even though we know God says;

2Co 10:12 -13, For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  V13  But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

We look at what we don’t have rather than what God has allowed us.

1Ti 6:6-8  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  V7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  V8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

If I have learned anything in my search with the Lord for Biblical truths in finance is that our contentment and satisfaction has very little to do with what we have.  It has to do with our level of appreciation and a grateful attitude.

FAITH AND FINANCE: HIS PURPOSE IN OUR FINANCES

Just starting here, but want to read it all?  At the end are the links to each article in the series.

SECTION TWO: HIS PURPOSE

One of the reasons that people in cultures like America today are struggling financially is that we misunderstand God’s purpose for our finances.  There were times when it was a “dream” to own a home of our own and now it is expected. 

While it may not seem like it to us with our mounting payments and decreasing paychecks, but our society is one of affluence.  Largely the books written by financial experts are how to make your money grow; how to become a millionaire by retirement; and how to make the most of your money.  They are all geared to people who have extra money.  Because we have grown up in an affluent society, we feel that these plans must be for us.  Yet, many of us who have a desire to be a good steward with our finances and “invest for the best future possible” find that we only have the means for today.

Most of us are strectching the money from paycheck to paycheck.

I want to encourage you that you are not necessarily irresponsible, hopeless or bound for destitution if you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck.  IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE FINANCIAL PEACE WITH OR WITHOUT FINANCIAL PROSPERITY.

God did not promise the means for savings, retirement, college and insurance.  These are the responsible things to do IF, let me reiterate that, IF God allows us to have a SURPLUS in our source of financial income.  God’s word stresses: “sufficient unto the day.”

We All Have Questions - Faith and Finance: Peace With or Without Prosperity

PART ONE - WE ALL HAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK

Everything I write stems from some major experience in my life that has caused me to dig into God’s Word to find His way of operating.

I have found that there is so much more peace in making decisions when the decisions have been made ahead of time. 

For instance:

·                     Should I get involved with this unsaved guy?  NO

·                     Should I tell this white lie?  NO

·                     Should I listen to this music?  NO

·                     Should I watch this movie?  NO

·                     Should I go to that party?  NO

·                     Should I tell this joke?  NO

·                     Should I ever abort a baby?  NO

All of these situations have clear Biblical passages supporting them.  It is a matter of us submitting to the Bible and TRUSTING GOD that He knows the desires of our heart far better than we do.  Yet, many times out of fear and inexperience we “lean upon our own understanding” and do what MAKES SENSE.

I know many teenagers and young adults choose to answer “YES” to the above questions out of fear or frustration concerning loneliness and emptiness inside, rather than trusting that God has a plan for their life and that HIS WAY brings the most joy.

As teenagers grow into young adults they have different questions to answer.  Rather than socially / morally related questions, they face financial / life direction questions which take more discernment to answer.

·                     Should I get a trade or go to college?

·                     Should I rent or buy?

·                     Should I get a roommate?

·                     Should I stay living at home?

·                     Should I buy the car I really want now, because I don’t know if I will be able to afford it when I am married?

·                     Should I work full time or part time?

·                     Should I start a career without going to college; the old fashioned way?

·                     Should I go to Bible College, State College, or a Community College?

As young adults marry they find the financial decisions they made in their early twenties greatly impact their marriage: TIMES TWO.