When we talk with people about their financial situation, one of the questions we ask is "what do you believe caused you to get into the situation you're in right now?" The response varies, but usually comes down to one of the following: a single situation that put the finances in the toilet
a long history of poor financial decisions
Did you know that both of the responses above have the same root cause? Its true. The root cause of all financial difficulties boils down to poor stewardship. Some people dont like the word "stewardship", so we can also say "management" if you'd prefer. Listen folks, poor money management is merely a symptom of deeper issues in someone's life. Money is just a means of exchange. It is a way to do business in this world. Put in its proper setting, money is a wonderful thing indeed. Money can provide grease for new "start-up" ventures (philanthropy), or it can be used to help non-profit organizations which are devoted to serving others. Money also provides the material lifestyle for families. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with money. Even the Bible says "the love of money is the root of all evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Some people believe having money is wrong. Says who, and what do they base that statement on?
God said no such thing! He said "the love of money", not having money. Those who spout this nonsense have missed it BIG TIME, and have truly cheated people out of a great way to help others. God is all about freedom, not bondage. One of the meanings of that word "love" is the word "avarice". This strange word simply means "the insatiable (or unsatisfied thirst and) desire for wealth". It can also mean "the immoderate, greedy, or unfulfilled desire for wealth or gain". If you make your decisions based solely on money, then that should be a warning that you have not put money in its proper place. Money should certainly be a consideration, a factor, in decisions but it should not be the basis for them. See the difference? Friends, don't believe everyone that has an opinion on a subject. That goes for preachers, leaders, presidents, "experts", etc. If you listen to opinions and have not done your own research, then you are cheating yourself out of the very thing that may be the answer you've been searching for. Understand everyone has an opinion, but it is God's opinion that really counts. He wants you to prosper! That is the opinion that should sway your thinking. Find out what His Word says about a matter. Be sure to test your findings in their proper context. To maintain balance and accuracy, you MUST authenticate your findings by testing them against other verses found from Genesis to Revelation. Anyone can take a verse out of the Bible and build a doctrine on it. Scripture out of context binds, controls, and hinders people. That is what cults do. That is what the devil did when he quoted scripture to Jesus. There was just enough truth to seem right, but it was dead wrong. A half truth is all lie. Put a drop of arsenic in a glass of water and drink it down. What, you don't want to drink it? Why not? It is 99.99% pure water, so why not guzzle it down? What, you say? "There's poison in there!" True, there is. It works the same way with not taking the full counsel of God's word on a matter. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). One individual we spoke with recently was very down on himself for making a bad financial decision. This poor fellow was bordering on full blown depression! He borrowed a large sum of money and put it into an investment which had the potential for a large return. Several bad decisions were made here, but that is not the point here. When you realize that you did something really dumb (all of us have), first admit it to God and ask His forgiveness for it. Make a new decision not to repeat this, and move on. Ask your spouse and family for forgiveness as well. It is likely that your decision adversely impacted them, so get it out on the table so everyone knows what happened. Don't hide things from your spouse and family. A real man is transparent, and can admit his failings. Look, your family already sees you "as you really are", so you're really not hiding anything anyway! The next really important step, and one that many miss, is to forgive yourself. Don't let your head beat you up. If you've asked forgiveness, then it is done. Make a new decision and put what's behind you, behind you. It's a new day. You've been blessed with waking up today, so make the most of it. Make better quality decisions from the new wisdom you received (from your failures) and move forward. Turn the "lemon" of the situation into "lemonade". You cannot steer a parked car (the wheels just move back and forth, but there is no forward motion), so get off your "rusty dusty" and get moving! There's life to be living!
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