matt123

Hello all, I have had the subject of Biblical based finance on my heart to share with the forums. I am going to sum up from Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" which my wife and I have taken. Dave Ramsey is a biblical finance person who's also has born fruit in people coming to Christ through his ministry. Some people disagree with some of his views on money, and part of that is due to the way I have presented his material in the past. I will try to be more accurate on what he teaches.I am going to start with basics that are non-controversial, and on the ones that may be controversial, I will state as such.

Also I might add, that my wife and I would have not made it financially or in our marriage if not for the teaching we revived when we did his full "Financial Peace University" Course as lead by the Lord.

We were on very shaky ground, adding debt way faster then we could ever hope of paying it off, and barely making it by. We had been taught the worlds wisdom on money and finance, and we were following it to destruction. Long story short, my God spoke to my wife and I separately to do this course. We did it, and as we applied what we learned we have gotten out of our serious financial trouble. We had around 40k in debt, and were stuck with two "Payday Loan" places at an annual interest rate of over 360%APR. We were being called by collectors on a daily basis, and could hardly pay rent and put food on the table. We kept getting credit cards just to get things like gas and food. We were in trouble. We took this course, and as we slowly applied what we learned, we started climbing out of the hole. The key phrase here is when we applied what we learned. Many times we stopped doing what we learned and it caused us not make headway or sink a bit more. The more we have applied the more sound footing we have gained. Now have about half of that debt paid off. When I get a job we will have enough income to pay off the rest within this year, and at that time we will be 100% Debt free, and hopefully be able to start gearing up into full time ministry, hopefully as missionaries which is what this debt has kept us from doing.

Okay Part one.

Many people belive that money is evil, and by extension, that if you have money you are also evil. Or on the flip side, I have seen some people, in some Churches teach and believe that you are not blessed if you did not have money! I would hazard to state that non of the above is true! But doesn't the Bible say that money is the root of all evil? No. It does not, lets see what it says...

1 Timothy 6:10

King James Version (KJV)

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many [a]acute [mental] pangs.

1 Timothy 6:10

American Standard Version (ASV)

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

You see its the Love of money, and that is the root of All kinds of evil! You see money is amoral. It has no morals. It is simply an object. Just like a brick is an object. You can take the brick and build something with it. You can take a brick and throw it through a window. The brick does not care, its not alive. It has no morals. You see what a person does with a brick is what is important not the brick itself. So no, having money or not having money does not mean you are a good or bad person.

Dave Ramsey does say this, he noticed that having money only allows you to be more of who you already are. If you a mean evil person, you can do even more mean evil things with money. If your a good giving person, you will simply do more good and giving.

Also, often times God does not bless us with money is because he knows we will hurt yourself with it. If you have 100 dollars and you do not use that wisely, and you hurt yourself, God will not give you 1000 dollars to cause even more hurt. He only gives you what your able to handle.

Case in point, many lotto millionaires, lost it all and wind up far worse off then they were before the money.

Are there pitfalls and dangers for a wealthy person, in the spiritual sense, Yes, but more on that later!

 

 

The ability to uses money for the betterment of your family is not evil. However, along with the attainment of the wealth comes a responsibility to help those who are in need. To use it selfishly is wrong. To help others to learn of our Lord in lets say the Bible Society, to reach those who have never read the Word of God or to help in a Mission to feed the hungry in near or far places or to help your family should they need it if you are able. I do not say to LEND. That is not good - it leads to frustration and grief. If God blesses you financially then be a blessing to others.

Was interested in this post because of the word 'LEND' and the fact that you say it is not good. I was considering lending my son money to help with buying his first home - the reason being that I didn't want him throwing away money on interest payments - but also teaching him responsibility about money management - i.e. that he needs to set aside part of his salary and be responsible rather than having money 'drop out of the sky'. I'm not disagreeing with you at all but I just wondered if you think there is anything wrong with my approach in treating it as a loan rather than a gift - he will eventually inherit whatever I leave and I have no plans on spending any payments that he makes - rather I would invest them for him so that he eventually benefits from them - as I said not disagreeing - just wanted your opinion.Psalm  15, He that putteth not out his money to usury.If you give him a loan, hope fully hell pay it back.To many siblings end up going to court over money issues, their supposed to be Christian folks.My advice, if he cant pay it back, take the loss, lending money isn't a good a idea.Or just give it to him as a gift, wont have to worry if he cant pay you back.Credit cards, finacing fall into usury, that's were big problems start, saving cash is the best way, stay away from usury.

 

I would like to ask a question about this as well. First I better set up the senario. I am a 27 year old male, recently married and in December of last year I stepped into a new role as a branch manager for a Cooperative that sells feed,, seed, and chemicals among other things.

Here is my problem when I was hired at this new position I was hired to be trained (I have a working knowledge of Agriculture but not the product specific knowledge) and the ex-manager was moved to salesman.The ex-manager whom I have no control over is the problem, he claims to be a christian but treats others horribly. He is rude to my employees, smirks and eye rolls to me, and is terrible to be around. He is a deacon in his church but how he shows his faith to others in work is terrible. I am constantly on edge as I do not know what person he will be each day and how he will treat others. I know that me saying anything will not relieve the situation either. My biggest problems though is probably my wounded pride which I realize is wrong, and how he speaks to others who are new christians and then ask me if that is how a christian should act.

So long story short how do I keep my faith up when he constantly puts a strain on it, how do I humble myself and let God handle it, and finally how do I explain to these other young believers about his behavior? Lord jesus warned us in matt ch.10, beware of wolves in sheeps clothing.psalm 27:11TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD, AND LEAD ME IN PLAIN PATH, BECAUSE OF MINE ENEMIES.Isaih 50:8, Who is mine adversary?Let him come near to me.:9, Behold, the Lord GOD will help me:Isiah57:15, With him also that is of a contrite and HUMBLE spririt, to revive the spirit of the humble,.Talk to GOD, pray, contact those in your company who have proper authority to remove the jerk.If that avenue isn't avaivable, keep praying to GOD, last resort, labor dept will give a attitude adjustment, contact labor dept.

LUKE chapter2 or 3, john the Baptist used water to try to get people to repent, Baptist goes on to say one is coming who will baptize you with the holy ghost and with fire[truth].Faith in GOD and repenting are very important.