Let's Start At The Very Beginning

"In the beginning, God created....."  But what does this have to do with money?  More than you may think.  Let's dig a little deeper and see if we can make a connection.

Genesis Chapter 1:
²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..."  ²⁹ Then God said, “I give you (emphasis mine) every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."  

God made us and gave us what we needed to survive.  We are nothing without Him.  

Exodus Chapter 16:
¹¹ The Lord said to Moses, ¹² “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”  ¹³ That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. ¹⁴ When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. ¹⁵ When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.  Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given (empahsis mine again) you to eat."

Again, God gives us what we need to survive.

Matthew Chapter 6:
²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given (my emphasis again) to you as well."

God gives us what we need to survive!

If we need more proof:
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave (my emphasis) His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God gives us exactly what we need to survive.

So what does all this have to do with money?  God gives us what we need to survive!  He provides our food and clothing.  He provides our homes, our cars, our computers, our - well, our everything we have.  It has all come from God. 

If He has given it all, then it is easy to understand that God is the OWNER of all things.  We are not.  God has given His gifts to us.  We cannot take credit for "earning" these gifts.  Even though we go to work.  Even though we pay the bills.  Even though we buy the things.

It is easy to think that we are the ones earning our money.

But the Bible is clear:  It is not OUR money, it is GOD'S money.

Haggai 2:8 - "‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty."

Yes, God gives us His money.

How does that change your thoughts about money?  Is the way you are spending, saving, and giving God's gifts making Him proud?  Are you thanking Him?  Do you appreciate what He has given you? 

Do you trust that He will give you enough?  Or are you focused on that next paycheck?

Let's start at the very beginning.  Focus on WHO is taking care of you instead of WHAT is taking care of you. 

 

Mind over Matter

Financial Planning does not start with a checkbook, a list of bills, a paycheck, or even a calculator.  Financial Planning begins in the mind.  What do you think about your finances?  Do you think about them at all?  Do you think money is a necessary evil?  Are you obsessed with money?  Do you lose sleep over it?  Does it cause fights in your household?  Do you wish you had more? 

Do you think God cares about your money?

Wait.  What?  God?  What does God have to do with my money?

Did you know the Bible has over 2,000 verses that talks about money?  Yeah, I didn't either.  Until I started digging.  I had heard a little bit about this 'God talks about money in the Bible stuff' and as a financial advisor (at the time), I wanted to know what He had to say.  Verses - and years! - later, I am still studying and learning.  But what I found surprised me.

What God says about money is definitely different than what the world says about money.  But that's not a bad thing - in fact, it is very, very good!  God doesn't want you to worry, obsess or fight about money any more.  He doesn't want to restrict you with a bunch of 'money rules' but He wants you to experience financial freedom in a whole new way.

So what does this mean?  Sudden riches?  Living in poverty?  No and no. 

If you follow the Biblical Financial Principles, you will be free from financial bondage.  That is a promise of Scripture.  What the result of that looks like, however - well, that will be different for everyone.

It's time to start thinking about money from a different perspective.  God's perspective.  Not the world's.

Ready?  Let's start this journey together so you can see what God has in store for YOU!