Finding Your Financial PathSample

Every cent counts.

Most Americans don’t consider themselves rich. But if you live in the United States, you are among the wealthiest people in the world. We’ve been blessed with money and resources, and we are responsible for what God has given us.

God commands us to bring 10 percent of our income back to the church in the tithe. But what about the rest of our income? Just because God gives us freedom to spend 90 percent of His money doesn’t mean there are not consequences for how it’s used. God cares about the 90 percent because He cares about you.

God wants us to enjoy our money. But He doesn’t want us to put our hope in it or be enslaved to it. Either way, money is a bad master who leaves us wanting. By honoring God with everything, not just the tithe, we protect ourselves from the temptation of making money our god.

For some of us, honoring God with everything means giving more generously. What we don’t have can’t own us. For some of us, the next step is learning to save. Saving breaks the debt cycle so we can start asking “What does God want me to do?” instead of “What do I have to do?”

Wealth is one of many ways Jesus blesses us with more than we deserve. There’s nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the abundance God gives us, as long as we don’t start worshiping the gift instead of the Giver.

Think About:
1. Do you see yourself as rich? Why or why not?
2. Are you using your other 90 percent responsibly? In what way do you need to change how you are stewarding your finances to be more faithful to Jesus?
3. Do you need help creating a plan for the remaining 90 percent?

Pray:
Jesus, thank You for making me rich! Show me how to honor You with all of my money, not just the tithe.