Over the past few weeks, I’ve been referring to this idea of “getting God involved in your finances." Just in case that sounds like Greek to you, let me take a minute to explain exactly what that means:
By suggesting that we can get God involved in our finances, I’m also suggesting that you can keep him from getting involved. The fact is that God can be sitting on the sidelines watching you struggle financially, or He can be actively involved as your financial partner. It depends on what kind of steward that you are.
I’m not suggesting that He is like a genie in a bottle who will give you what you want if you say the magic words. It also doesn’t mean He will never allow you to face financial hardships if you do all the right things. In the same way as some of the other topics that we have discussed previously, your finances are yet another arena in your life where you can begin to experience an interactive relationship with your heavenly Father. You just need to invite Him in.
As we begin this week, I think it’s only fair to start with a word of warning:
What we are about to discuss goes against your natural instincts.
Directly opposite of what you think you should do.
If you’re going to get God involved in your finances, you need to understand that there will be moments when it’s not 100% comfortable - Or even 50%.
You’re going to have to be willing to trust something besides your gut because in this case your gut is simply not a good gauge.
If you look back at last week’s discussion, we talked about how fear and uncertainty make us irrational. I’m sure this will not surprise you but, money is an emotional subject!
Didn’t see that one coming, did ya?
Look, we are especially vulnerable to irrational thinking when it comes to our finances. Therefore, it’s so important to base your financial decisions on truth rather than instinct.
You would never advise someone to buy stock just because it felt right. Right? You would first examine the price, earnings ratio and earnings per share. Likewise, you should be careful not to allow your financial theology to be corrupted by emotion. If we decide to hold back from God because it “doesn’t feel right”, our giving is based on emotion rather than truth. This method of irrational thinking will keep you from partnering with God in the area of your finances.
Let me give you an example. When I was young, I was afraid for my mom to take me to the doctor when I was sick. My first question was always, “Will I have to get a shot?" Would you avoid going to the doctor because you’re afraid that he might give you a shot? A shot that will make you feel better and maybe even save your life.
Yet when we withhold from God financially, we distance ourselves from the one person in the universe who can forever erase our fears about making ends meet and having enough.
It’s like saying, “I’m going to protect myself financially by withholding from God and making sure that he’s not involved in my finances. Now that’s irrational thinking!
If you could take each financial concern and personally ask God about them wouldn’t you like to know what He would say?
“But God, what if we can’t buy groceries?”
“But God, shouldn’t we save for a rainy day?”
“But God, what if one of us gets sick?”
All of these are valid concerns. And truthfully, it’s a little hard to be generous when you are overwhelmed with concerns. But God has a strategy for handling your concerns. A strategy that frees you up to trust Him with your resources.
Jesus spoke to this point directly with detail in His sermon on the mount.
Matthew 6:25-33
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
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?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“What will we eat?”
“What will we drink?”
“What will we wear?”
Sound familiar?
Most of our budget concerns fall into one of these categories. And yet Jesus says not to worry about them - at all! Instead our focus should be on His Kingdom with the promise that when we do, He says that our physical needs will be met as well. When you partner with God to fulfill His plan for the world, He takes a vested interest in your well-being.
I must let you know that I do not believe in a poverty gospel. I feel confident that God wants to bless you abundantly. More abundantly than our imaginations can visualize. He wants you eating well and having a solid roof over your head, so that you can continue to resource His kingdom.
Now you have a choice to make. If you want God involved in your finances, you need to put your finances to work for God’s interests. That means you need to give.
Maybe you’re not sure how to start that process? You can start right now with what He’s already given you. That might mean a percentage of your next paycheck, or it might mean a percentage of your net worth. Wherever the voice of generosity leads you, you should follow it, despite the fear you may feel. Your financial fears aren’t going away until you act.
If you want God involved in your finances and you want His guarantee to have something to eat and drink and have clothes to wear, then you need to focus on His agenda! And financially, that means answering the call to sow generously into His kingdom.
This principle of the Harvest is confusing when you apply human logic. How can giving result in my needs being met? How can subtracting from my monthly cash flow add to it? How can stepping toward financial uncertainty lead to the greatest security available in the world? You’ll never know until you try it!
Let me address an extremely important point for you to grab on to. This isn’t about giving to get. It’s about neutralizing the fears that have been hindering the spirit of generosity inside you. It’s about experiencing the security that comes from knowing that your provider is the One who owns all provisions.
The seed can’t germinate while it is still in your hand. When you release the seed and sow it, God shows up in amazing ways. And fear will begin to evaporate. The principle of the harvest is a principle that you can count on.
Pastor Jeff
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