Financial Freedom Part 2

TEXT

Eccl 10:7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the earth.
Gal 4:7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, {through Christ.}

INTRODUCTION

Last week we introduced the topic “Financial Freedom”
I need feedback or reminder from the floor of the things that we talked about
I also talked in passing about the richest man in the world as Warren Buffet, I am sorry I was behind, Bill Gates has now regained his number one sport again as of March 09.
Another fact to not is that our economy is on the verge of getting alright, we are getting “formally”, the informal sector may not work as it used to.
There is need to position ourselves for the kick off in the economy. Those that had left formal employment and are not gainfully employed should do so before the market gets flooded.
a)I also want us to recap about spending: Spending

You must be careful and plan your spending:

-When spending or buying, consider what you buy, do not just buy anything, spend money on quality.
-Learn to be sales resistant, avoid impulse buying. Beware of advertisements and sales people!
-Pay your bills promptly
-Learn to be content, Philippians 4v11-13, Hebrews 13v6
-Do not be covetous, Exodus 20v17, Luke 12v15.
-Live a simple life, 1Thessalonians 4v11-12
-Live within your means, spending what you do not have is not faith
-Do not be extravagant (John 6v12)
-Balance your spending, do not spend too much on pleasure and at the same time learn to enjoy what God gives you. Proverbs 21v17, Ecclesiastes 5v18, 10v16-17
-Plan your spending, budget

1. FINANCIAL FREEDOM

b)Debts
Avoid debt where possible. Debt is not sin, but the bible discourages it, debt is not God’s best for your life. When you are now controlled by debt then there is a problem.(Proverbs 22v7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)

To come out of debt:

-Pray about your debt and ask for God’s help and or solution
-List all your debts and or financial obligations
-Establish a repayment plan
-Avoid accumulating more or new debts
-Use a budget for your spending
-Avoid debt or borrowing for consumables, when need be, you can borrow for assets or investments as long as cost of borrowing is less than the asset or investment.
-Be yourself and do not be pressured to be what you are not or what other / your friends expect.
-Consider ways of getting extra income (if it means doing extra projects, do it, do not be shy to do even base projects)
c)Saving &/ Investing
-Save money or resources for tomorrow, Genesis 41, Proverbs 6v6-8.
-Zimbabwe is a good place to invest now when things are under-priced, when things normalize and the economy opens up, it will be difficult.
-In the parable of talents, it is clear that as a principle (implied) God expects us to invest and multiply whatever resource He gives us be it spiritual or natural.
-Always remember that there is a tomorrow. At times you might need to forgo instant gratification for future or long term investing or benefit.

2. RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS MONEY

(a) Acknowledge that God is the giver or source of wealth. Prov 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Deut 8:10-18, “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for all the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statutes which I command you today, Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, And when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all you have is multiplied, Then your [minds and] hearts be lifted up and you forget the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, Who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, but Who brought you forth water out of the flinty rock, Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. And beware lest you say in your [mind and] heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
(b) Share and give as God blesses you. Prov 3:28, “Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it--when you have it with you.” Prov 11:24-25 “There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting {or} what is justly due, but it results only in want. The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.”
(c) Do not let money rule you or be your god. Prov 11:28, “He who leans on, trusts in, {and} is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough.”
(d) Do not waste money. Prov 21:17, “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” Prov 21:20, “There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident {and} foolish man swallows it up {and} wastes it.”
(e) Do not get money in corrupt/wrong means. Prov 10:2, “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.” Prov 11:4, “Riches provide no security in any day of wrath {and} judgment, but righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) delivers from death.” Prov 13:11, “Wealth [not earned but] won in haste {or} unjustly {or} from the production of things for vain {or} detrimental use [such riches] will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase [his riches]”.
(f) Guard against quick or instant riches. Sometimes you need to be patient to grow in your finances.

OTHER ARRERS TO WORK ON FOR FINANCIAL PROSPERITY
·There are other areas of life that we need to pay attention to if we are to have financial prosperity

1.Academic excellence
2.Career planning
3.Hard working and faithfulness
4.Investments (short term investments e.g. stock market, buying and selling, informal trading)
5.Own business

·Desire to prosper & succeed financially.
·Work & press towards prosperity
·Have a clear vision and plan for your financial status
·Have a right & positive attitude towards financial prosperity
·Identify divine connections, at times, God may send other people in your way to help you connect to your financial prosperity.