Disciple Up # 285
Stewardship Part Nine: Use of Finances
Louie Marsh, 11-23-2022
Introduction: Where we’ve been and where we’re probably going!
9 Biblical Financial Principles
1) God is My Source
The first principle is that God is the source of everything.
“19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
“8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
2) Giving Is Essential
“38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”” (Luke 6:38, ESV)
“23And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.” (Deuteronomy 14:23, ESV)
One purpose of tithing was to teach the people of Israel to put God first in their lives.
3) Saving Is Critical
The third financial principle concerns saving money-setting something aside for a rainy day.
“20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” (Proverbs 21:20, ESV)
4) Keep Out of Debt
The fourth principle is to keep out of unnecessary debt and thus avoid the debt trap.
“21The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;” (Psalm 37:21, ESV)
Borrowing for a house or car is one thing but taking on financial obligations one can’t keep-buying beyond the ability to pay-is another.
“7The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7, ESV)
5) Be Content with what you have
The 5th principle is being content with what one has.
“5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
“11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11, ESV)
“10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:10, ESV)
6) Have a Budget
The 6th principle is that of keeping records and making a budget.
“23Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23, ESV)
“3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3–4, ESV)
7) Don’t Cosign
The 7th principle is, don’t cosign.
“1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, 2if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, 3then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. 4Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; 5save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.” (Proverbs 6:1–5, ESV)
8) Work Hard
The eighth principle is that of hard work.
“23In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23, ESV)
“19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” (Proverbs 28:19, ESV)
9) Seek Godly Counsel
The last principle is that of seeking godly counsel.
“1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;” (Psalm 1:1, ESV)
“22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22, ESV)
6) How this works in my church/ministry
- Use of funds
Churches & ministries must be as open and transparent as possible about their finances. The only thing we keep private is who gave how much. Otherwise our books are open, staff salaries are open, and each month we report on our finances publicly.
- Support of those in the ministry – time, finances, marriage support, etc.
“3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3–6, ESV)
- Staying focused on the ministry’s purpose
“25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:25–29, ESV)
- Balance my time for ministry & rest, etc.
“1Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:1–2, ESV)
“19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, ESV)
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Email – louie@discipleup.org
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