(Deu 8:18) "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth . . .
I want to share with you something that I heard when I was approaching marriage and had to get organized with my finances. “Tithe ten-percent, save ten-percent, and spend the rest to the glory of God.” This rang as sound, Biblical counsel. It steered me in the right direction and has proven itself as a solid financial foundation for my life and family and even for my ministry. I’ll pass it on to you. Ponder and pray over these simple principles and related verses and may the Lord lead you in your finances and provide for your every need!
TITHE ten percent: (Mal 3:10) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. I believe in what the Bible says about tithing. I was taught very early on in the church where I got saved that tithing is what you do consistently with your income. I was instructed to never negotiate or rationalize no matter how tough times are, even in extreme poverty, like the widow giving her last mite. There were times of testing for Cheryl and I but we put it back on the Lord and tested Him and blessings came. He has always provided!
SAVE ten percent: (Pro 6:6-8) Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. Why save? Didn’t Jesus say not to store up treasures on earth? Yes, but that was to avoid greed and trusting in uncertain riches (mammon). I’m talking about prudent saving for emergencies that arise and for larger items that don’t fit into your paycheck such as furniture and appliances, hobby items, vacations, etc. I like to call it pre-credit. You save up and pay cash and avoid the credit curse.
SPEND the rest to the glory of God: (1 Cor 10:31) . . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. This includes living within your income. If I don’t have the money for something I figure the Lord either doesn’t want me to have it or I need to wait and let Him provide it for me His way. This also includes prayerfully considering the purchases I make. Do I really need this item? Will it glorify the Lord? Is it impulse spending? Will it leave me enough until I get paid next? I might have to use personal discipline but isn’t that part of being a disciple of Christ and having self-control as a fruit of the Spirit?
Finances are a very personal thing. Everybody’s needs are different, and circumstances change in our lives and in the economy. But some things don’t change, and that is the Word of God. God has promised to provide, and He has also shown us through His Word how to live wisely. We do our part and God does His. It’s a beautiful partnership with God in the lead. (Psa 128:1-2) Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Louie