As I've mentioned before, my family and our church is not exempt from the challenges many people in our community and world is facing. Our giving has been affected some. However, I have to tell you that we are weathering the financial tsunami better than just about any person or church I know of, right now! One of the reasons our church is weathering the storm more effectively is because of a Biblical financial principle we have practiced since we launched Mountain Lake 8 1/2 years ago. We call it: "Balancing Faith with Wisdom." And we talk about it ALL THE TIME!
First of all, did you know that the Bible talks about WISDOM in regards to our finances WAY MORE than it talks about exercising FAITH in regards to our finances? In fact, when the Bible talks about faith in the Bible, it often has NOTHING to do with money. However, almost every time God speaks about wisdom in the Bible, money and possessions will be mentioned somewhere around it!What does this tell us? That wisdom should be the driving factor in our financial decisions as Christians and churches. However, I have to be honest with you in saying that I've heard many Christ followers and church leaders talk about their financial decision making process, and by their words, I could tell they were emphasizing FAITH at the neglect of wisdom! For instance, I've heard people say: "Well, the numbers don;t add up, but we're stepping out on faith," OR "Well, we are not meeting budget, but somehow, God will provide," OR "We're just praying for a miracle." While these phrases may express our desire to trust God, we have to be careful we don't abdicate our responsibility to exercise WISDOM by being GREAT MANAGERS of the resources God has already entrusted to us!
I believe far too many Christians and churches have overemphasized the idea of faith in regards to our budgeting and spending practices, at the neglect of exercising wisdom by practicing the Biblical principles given to us in black and white (and red and white) in the Bible!
For example, in the Bible God teaches us that we should:
- Seek lots of counsel before making financial decisions.
- Gain as much knowledge on a subject as possible!
- Pray before financial decisions.
- Estimate the full cost of a project before we start.
- Know where ALL of our money goes.
- Store up savings for tough days ahead.
- NOT co-sign on a note with a family member.
- Avoid debt where possible.
- Make financial plans.
- Not only have a plan, but be diligent to live by that plan.
- Discern the times and adjust our plans according to them.
- Foresee danger and take action.
Are you and your church balancing faith with wisdom? If you ARE, you'll be OK! That's the promise from God! If you're not, start today!
P.S. For your reading pleasure, here are some snippets from God's Word that emphasize wisdom in regards to our finances:
Proverbs 24:3-6 (NLT) A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many counselors.
Proverbs 27:12 (NLT) A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV) Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 21:20 (NIV) In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT) Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.
Luke 14:28-30 (NLT) “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! They would say, ‘there’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’
Great post Shawn! I believe the bible also talks about being content. Psalm 16:6,37:7 are a couple. Basically, do not try to keep up with the Joneses. This has been hard to do in recent years with the ease of credit and the growing belief in our culture today that it is ok to have it today and pay for it later. I remember when we bought our house, the mortgage broker said to me: "With your good cedit, you guys can borrow a LOT more money for a BIGGER house. It's a great investment because houses NEVER lose value. And it may be tight at first, but that will ease as you get your annual raises." No kidding those where her exact words. I remember them so vividly, because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That was eight years ago and I am so thankful we did not listen to her.
(Sorry for the long comment)
Posted by: Brad Bobo | October 15, 2008 at 07:32 AM