Financial freedom is the right of every believer. But if you have not exercised that right on money matters, there is trouble ahead. In fact, if you have not won over money, you are not likely to win over sin.
The love of money is the root of evil, as it makes money to control you, and loving money is not the pathway to financial freedom but enslavement by it and perdition in the end. Rather, having control over money and making it work for you is the machination that guarantees financial freedom.
Fraud and similar vices, indebtedness, and anxiety over payment are not only caused by pressure but are a result of the love of money and enslavement by it. Money must not control you; you must be in control. If you cannot exercise control over money, you are in trouble.
Some Examples of Financial Enslavement
A car loan (note) for obtaining an expensive personal car is not a productive one as it does not add any financial value or bring about an increase in resources. On the contrary, car note is the kind of loan that drains the pockets and leads to anxiety and sleeplessness. It creates avoidable financial pressure.
Living above your means is a critical financial state you are creating for yourself. Living within your means is a virtue. You do not have to go for a four or five-bedroom house if you can manage a one or two-bedroom apartment and easily pay for this. You do not need that house or mansion because you want to prove how big or comfortable you are. What is hidden from people is that you are in fact in discomfort and distress in secret and are nursing high blood pressure because of that self-inflicted wound caused by putting yourself on a tightrope financially.
The clothes you wear do not have to be expensive designers if you cannot afford it. What sense does it make to adorn expensive suits and shoes when they will dissipate your take-home and leave you in penury or debt? If your take-home cannot accommodate those wears, simply settle for good wears that are not expensive. Simply dress nicely and look good. No one would care or give you an award for wearing the most expensive designer shoes, shirts, suits, or wristwatches.
Laziness is an enemy of financial liberty. Proverbs 13:4 tells us, “The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” In essence, the lazy man desires the things that hardworking people have, such as a house, food, vacations, and rest of mind, but the lazy man’s desires remain unsatisfied.
How do we win financially?
Jesus gave a parable of the talent in chapter 25:14-30, to teach us about how to win financially. This parable is interpreted in different ways and it indeed suits different contexts in our social and Christian life. The story teaches us about investment and growing through it. The talent you are given, you are expected to invest and use it wisely so that the outcome will be multiplied blessings for your sake and for the sake of society. Jesus makes us know that God has put resources in our hands and expects us to increase in them. He expects all of us to grow and use what we have been given as much as we can. This is probably the foundation of the principle that to whom much is given, much is expected.
Every resource you have is supposed to be multiplied. This happens not only through prayers but also through action. You win financially through strategic thinking, planning, and investment. If the resource is wasted, it is a sin and the price is here on earth- penury. If the resource is not multiplied, then the probability of living on the edge is high. If the resource is multiplied and well managed, then you have gained financial freedom.
Self-control or discipline is another measure to gain financial freedom. The scriptures make us know that self-control or discipline is a virtue that works in all areas of life, including money matters. “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:2-3, NIV). Again, we are warned that if we do not exercise self-control, we will be slaves to what controls us. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
We are not instructed to avoid good things or not to use our money for those things. Instead, we are warned to exercise discipline in order to realize our desires and maximally enjoy those good things. “Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined” (Titus 1:8).
Wisdom for money management comes from God. Luke 16:11 says “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” In Proverbs 13:22, we are also told that “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly”, while Proverbs 21:20 warns, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get”.
Money management is an arduous task and does not require human wisdom alone. We need God. “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” God is the giver of wisdom to get wealth and to stay in it. He is the one we seek ultimately in prayers and reading of the scriptures and other kingdom materials, to make and sustain our wealth.
Finally, yet importantly, brethren, a strategic way to keep us in financial victory is to ensure that our resources are invested in God’s kingdom or that our money mixes with the things of God. “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine”. Call it an injunction or admonition; it is a kingdom principle that works. I have personally experienced this with proofs. You honor God with tithes, offerings, gifts to the church and people, and financial or material support for kingdom activities.
Again, do not borrow for anything that would not create wealth. Avoid financial pressures that could cause indebtedness, poverty, or corrupt practices. Then, be contented with what you have and try not to compare yourself or your family with others, as this could lead to undue financial problems. Work on your taste as this could be a financial booby trap and push you to monetary issues. Avoid credit cards that do not relate to landed property investment or human capacity development, as obtaining credit cards for the purpose of clothes, shoes, food, and cars would only make you eat into your future. Stay away from them.
Friends, the most important step to financial peace and prosperity is for us to have a biblical or kingdom view of money and wealth. As a believer, you cannot afford to ignore or question biblical charges or instructions about money management and wealth creation. You run with them because they work! You are a financial victor! God will help us to understand and lead us to divine wealth in Jesus’ precious name.
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- Pastor Sam Adelusimo is the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Chapel of Praise Parish, Northwest Arkansas, United States of America
