Money matters. Especially in times of economic instability, you need to reflect on and remind yourself of the financial principles you live by. What do you believe about money?
Take some time to reflect and write down the principles you believe on a deep level. Those are the ones you’ll choose to live by when things get tough.
Jesus had a lot to say about money matters
- “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
- “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
- “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
- “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
How you spend your money reflects your priorities and how you live out those priorities in the real world. It’s also an important indicator of your character and your personal and spiritual development.
Manage your finances well
Manage it well by taking an inventory of what you have, what you spend, and what you spend it on. Look for themes and priorities. Where is your money going? To what degree is it going where you want it to be going? Are there adjustments you need to make to align your money with your priorities and your values? If so, what needs to change?
It’s important to do a regular self-audit of money matters. How you handle your money will necessarily look different at different stages of life as your circumstances and income change. Be sure you are looking at your money through the lens of stewardship. Money is given to us by God for a certain time to invest well: See the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:13-40).
Take the risk of letting a trusted friend or coach into your finances. Share your budget with them and ask them for prayer and accountability to steward your money well. Secrecy often breeds shame in the area of money.
Six elements that help assure you are managing money well
- Keep a record of how you spend your money.
- Assess that record for alignment with priorities.
- Assess that record for effective accomplishment of goals.
- Make adjustments where needed.
- Be intentional about how you spend your money.
- Be accountable to someone else about how you spend your money.
The goal: a heart of generosity
We need to begin with a heart of generosity—a heart that reflects God’s heart. Everything belongs to God, and he has only entrusted us with it for a time. We are managers, and he will come back to see how we have invested his money. So the first principle is generous giving: give as God has blessed you, and give back to God first.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:10-11
Resources
Money management is an essential skill in any form of leadership, but especially Christian leadership. It’s a matter of the mind (practical) and the heart (spiritual).
Practical Finance Skills
For the practical side of things, we address personal financial management among 5 other essential life and leadership skills in the Personal Development Leadership Skills Guide. The Leadership Skills Guides were developed to help you learn skills necessary for Christian leadership that you may have missed in school—and to help you develop those skills in the leaders that you are raising up.
Spiritual Financial Footing
When we address the spiritual side of finances, we develop a deeper understanding of provision, faithfulness, and investment. A Guide for Discipling: Generous Living covers 5 key areas where your relationship with God interacts with your relationship to money. Learn and practice the importance of faithfully stewarding what God has given you so you can contribute toward the advancement of the Kingdom.
An Undivided Heart
An undivided heart is not something you can force on yourself or others and this book, An Undivided Heart: Living and Loving like Jesus, isn’t an instruction manual with step-by-step procedures. It is a journey, unique to you, that begins with your unique relationship with Jesus. Living with an undivided heart will naturally lead to living an undivided life. Cultivation of the heart flows into action.
“I have used Bob Logan’s books in the seminary and in pastoral leadership settings, but this one is written for my friends and neighbors. This is not just another book on discipleship but a book destined for personal and relational impact.” —Kendra Diehl, VP of Ministry Formation and Innovation, The Master’s Institute Seminary, Regional Leader for The Harvest Network International
Order Now and read through on your own or with your small group. A great read for the Lenten Season! Available in paperback and Kindle.
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