Think Slim

​How much better would your life be if you had half the debt you do now? How much more money would you have to spend on the things you want rather than on interest? How much less stressed would you be about retirement or being able to pay for health insurance? Less debt translates into a better quality of life, less emotional stress, less worry, and more joy.   
 
Do you know that how we handle my money reveals a lot about our relationship with God? Money in and of itself is neutral. In fact, I believe that God wants some people to be wealthy so that they can use their wealth to help other people. But the vast majority of people struggle with their finances primarily because we don’t live according to God’s financial principles.    
 
If we are even willing to consider starting a debt diet there is one key overarching principle that we need to know because it impacts every financial decision we make. This is the key principle: God owns it all. God is the master of everything and we are managers. The Bible says:
 
 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1
 
God owns all that we have, and He has given us the responsibility to manage that which we have been given faithfully according to the financial principles of Scripture. Once we admit and acknowledge that God owns everything, we stop asking God what he wants us to do with our money, we start asking God what he wants us to do with His money.
                                                                                
There are three benefits of faithfully managing the money that God has blessed us with. First, being faithful with finances helps us to grow closer to Christ. You will see God provide for you in tangible ways that will stretch your faith and encourage you to trust Him more.
 
Second, being faithful with finances helps us develop godly character. God uses money to reveal and refine our character. As a follower of Christ you will have to decide whether or not to trust God and give him 10% of your income off the top or buy something new. How we handle money is an indicator of our true spiritual condition.
 
Third, being faithful with finances leads to contentment. As we apply God’s principles to our finances it is possible to achieve financial contentment and financial freedom but it takes work and discipline and commitment.
 
How do we faithfully manage money so that we can honor Christ in this area of our lives?
 
Commit to trusting God with all of your finances. We trust God with our problems we know are out of our control, like illness, but when it comes to our finances we say, “I know how to handle my money.” Really? God promises that He will provide our needs. In Genesis 22:14 one of God’s names is Jehovah-jireh, which in Hebrew means “the Lord will provide.”
 
Commit to applying God’s financial principles to your life. Do you believe that the Bible is a collection of good stories or God’s Word? The truth is that the Bible is full of financial principles that will help you have a better life if you live by them.
 
Commit to taking hard steps now that will produce long term gain. What hard steps? Here are a couple easy ones. First, stop chasing after things and experiences that you can’t afford. If you have the money, enjoy it. But if you don’t have the money, don’t go into debt to get what you want. Second, do more that costs less. Looking back most of the best memories I have with my family don’t include spending a ton of money.
 
The Bible says: 
 “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” Proverbs 30:8-9
 
This is my prayer for us. That God will give us exactly what we need. I want you to be open to examining God’s financial principles and willing to make financial changes. So take an honest look at your finances and do what you need to do to reach your goals.. Start today and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you. He will.