Fountains of Wisdom, A Study in Proverbs, Part 38 Financial Freedom
Financial uncertainty is a real worry in the current economy. What do we do when it seems that we are falling into a financial pit?
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What if we made foolish and unwise mistakes through the years and now the finances look bleak. Now what do we do? I should have read Proverbs long before now so that I would have known the key principles of finance because God has laid them out clearly for each individual as well as for a nation. Unfortunately, our nation has already missed the mark and so did I; yet, God’s grace has a plan for each of us and for our nation, if we are willing to turn from our ways and follow after him.
Let us once more turn to the scripture for our answers, such wealth of knowledge can be found there. We will continue on through Proverbs 22.
1. Study the scripture morning and night. It is pressed within the pages the truth that we need to guide us. As we apply God’s word to our life and to our finances, we will succeed. That is His promise to each of us. Oh, I do not mean by that to look at God as some Santa Claus who will poor out expensive gifts—but He will provide all that we need in Him. So let us incline our ears and hear the words of the wise, we need the truth so embedded in our hearts that even our gut instinct is driven by God’s truth and we can trust with assurance the answers that we give to others as well.
Proverbs 22 (GNV) 17 ¶ Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it shall be pleasant, if thou keep them in thy belly, and if they be directed together in thy lips.19 That thy confidence may be in [l]the Lord, I have showed thee this day: thou therefore take heed.20 Have not I written unto thee [m]three times in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might show thee the assurance of the words of truth, to answer the words of truth to them that send to thee?
2. Humble yourself before God. Humility comes from our seeing the Glory, majesty, power, and righteousness of God. When I recognize His majesty and my utter inability to stand before a just God without fear of condemnation—then, I must needs bow before Him. Only there in total humility can I accept the gift of His Grace. I must first come to the recognition that I have nothing to bring to the negotiation table and He provides it all. Only them am I willing to lay aside all thought that He ever owes me anything. Only then will I understand that whether financially rich or poor, I stand before Him only by grace. Then in humility, knowing that He owes me nothing and that all my efforts are filthy rags compared to His righteousness—only then do I praise Him for the blessings, the grace and the mercy He has provided to me. You may try to say, “I tithe, I give to the poor, I work in service for the Lord, etc—why has He not financially blessed me”—Wrong—all that you should do because your gratitude is such that your heart commands you must and you know that if you gave your last dime or your life in service to Him—it will never be enough to say Thank you enough.
Proverbs 22(NIV)
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all….
4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
3. Be Generous to those who are in need; but only out of the abundance of what God has provided. Do not borrow money nor sign notes for others. Ok, my mistake for many years. Because I wanted to give to others and to help, sometimes I went way out on the limb myself. In doing so, I believed God would bless me for my generosity. What a foolish thing that was. Perhaps it was a source of pride when others would say, “What a Godly Saint to sacrifice so much to help me?” Actually, just a fool who needed to be brought back to her knees. (verses 7,9,16,22,23,26,27, and 29)
4. Never cheat God of His Tithe; yet, don’t give because of wanting in return, give out of your love and devotion with an understanding that it all belongs to Him. This is a matter of the heart. 10% should be the least you give—because you love Him and want His work to be spread.
5. Pray and then wait for God to answer—Do not rush ahead before He provides clear direction. He will give you direction when He has everything prepared to move ahead. Proverbs 22:
“3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
Remember this, God has a plan for your finances as well—trust Him to show you the way. We would all do well if we did as Abraham Lincoln once said,
“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”
Are you willing to give God your most precious treasures, knowing He is all you really need. Listen to this song, Alabaster Box
Cece Winans- Alabaster Box (Lyrics)
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
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New International Version (NIV)
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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