One devastating life habit concerns our financial health and well-being. It's easy to extend ourselves beyond our means in this world of easy pay and instant credit.

 

An unhealthy financial life usually comes from a lack of self-control. Self-control is one of the fruit (evidences) of a Spirit-filled life; a life managed by the Lordship of Jesus rather than our flesh or carnal mind and emotions.

 

In my lifetime of ministry walking with 1000's of people through various situations, one of the most devastating unhealthy life habits I've observed (next to lack of integrity) is in the area of personal finances. They often go  and in hand. Fix one and the other begins to fall into line. How can we align ourselves to develop a healthy financial lifestyle?

 

• First things first. Be a tither. Pay God what He says belongs to Him. You may disagree with Him but this eternal truth always wins. Put God first, as soon as we get paid...10%...goes directly to His works in the earth. Church. Para-church organization. Missions. Charity.

• Second,pay yourself. Savings. 10%

• Third, budget your everyday expenses and live within that budget.

• Fourth, be a generous person in word and deeds. Creativity abounds when you look for ways to be a person of generosity. Example: Out of the 90% determine an amount that you will use to sow as seeds to bless others. Missions. Poor. Acts of kindness. Good deeds. Why would you want to do this? Because whatever you give, out of that which is yours (90%), comes back to you multiplied.  Matthew 6:33 "A generous person scatters and it multiplies. A stingy person withholds and it shrivels and dries up."Proverbs 11:25

Let's discuss the first item, pay God first. Why is this key? Whenever we honor God, He honors us in return. That, right there, is H-U-G-E. When God is first and not an afterthought it demonstrates we put our money where our mouth is. We belong to God. Jesus is Lord of our lives. "The Lord looks down in love, bending over heaven's balcony, looking over all of Adam's sons and daughters. He's looking to see if there is anyone who acts wisely, any who are searching for God and wanting to please Him." Psalms 14:2 The Passion Translation.

 

Dr Judy Bauer