Written by Jim Loscheider (Elder) on November 18, 2022.
No one ever worries about money right? Probably not when you look at how quickly Americans — and many Christians — rack up credit card debt, vehicle debt, student loans, etc. Have you stopped to think about how inflation is eating away at your budget? Or how the downturn in the stock market makes you anxious about your plans for the future? There’s a lot of uncertainty in our world right now (when wasn’t that the case?). Regardless of our personal and financial circumstances, we are called to put our trust in God, not in money, possessions, or the things of this world.
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Isaiah 43 tells us, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. I am doing a new thing … I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” The Bible says a lot about spending, saving, giving, and getting out of debt, (experts say over 2,000 verses) along with gratitude and contentment (tons of verses here too) — everything you need to know — so you can begin to put the truth of God’s word into practice.
As we approach the holidays next week, what does your spending plan look like? Do you have limits on gift-giving? Are you asking the Lord to show you needs that exist that you can help with? Or are you going to stumble into overspending, overeating, too much screen time, and miss out on contentment, living gratefully, and worry free? I’d challenge all of us to see who and how we might bless someone this year. Ask the Lord to show you what that looks like.
Here are some simple, but effective things you can consider:
- Focus on Emmanuel, “God With Us” this Christmas.
- Share some reasons with your family and friends why you’re grateful this Thanksgiving.
- Minimize needless giving – not many of us “need” more stuff!
- Limit credit card use and pay with cash. The average credit card interest rate right now is 18.43%. Credit card companies want you to rack up interest with that kind of profit coming their way.
- Ask the Lord to direct you and be creative!
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Wise Financial Resources is a new ministry launched at Alliance Bible Fellowship that provides curated resources from various trusted Christian authorities/experts at our church.