What does it look like to handle money God's way? Many people focus only on giving when they think about honoring God with their money. They think about putting a check in the offering plate or sending money to fight hunger or AIDS.

What Does the Bible Say?

But handling money and thinking about money in a godly way is much more than a tithe check. The Bible tells us that we're stewards of God's resources. By definition, a steward is not an owner, but a manager, someone who takes care of the possessions of someone else.

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus said, "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matt. 25:19-21)

When we believe that God is the owner of all we have, we gain a new perspective on the way we handle all the resources we have been given not just 10% of our income.

When you choose to handle money God's way, things that used to be difficult will become easier. Budgeting, compromising, saving, giving, sacrificing, making wiser decisions with your money all of it will become clearer.

Proverbs gives several wisdom teachings on handling all of our money God's way:

• The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need. (13:25)
• The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave. (22:7)
• It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. (10:22)
• Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (3:9-10)
• He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. (11:28)

Why are we supposed to handle all our money in a godly way? Isn't God satisfied with our Sunday morning offerings?

What's the Point?

God doesn't need our money. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. That's not why He repeatedly tells us to give and have an eternal view of everything He's given us. His desire is that we'd experience peace the kind of peace that comes from a content heart. Having a content heart, managing money God's way, and avoiding the trappings of the world, frees us to focus on the things that really matter, like family, friends, and legacy.

It's tough not to buy into the lies of advertising. It's hard not to follow our inclination toward stuff. When we do, we miss what's really important and end up struggling. We work overtime, leaving our families behind, so we can make enough money to pay the bills—all in the name of stuff! That's why handling money God's way is so important and so much better for us. God has our best interest in mind. He wants us to keep our perspective clear and our hearts content with the things that really matter.

Bottom line: A plan for handling your resources God's way that encompasses spending, saving, and giving is not just your way to financial peace; it's your way to life-changing freedom! Learn more about bringing this reality to your church today!

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