Financial Peace

When you hear the term financial peace, you may think of Dave Ramsey and his teachings about finances.  He has a lot of good advice and I recommend you read his books to discover great ways to be good stewards of your money.  He will show you how to overcome your financial difficulties and will help you put your mind at ease.  However, true financial peace isn’t about having enough money; it is the realization that money is not very important and God will take care of your needs.  Of course, this guarantee only applies to those who trust in God and seek His kingdom first.

This is the last devotion of the week and I would like to list the reasons why people experience financial trouble and solutions to those issues.  Much of this is just common sense, but I think it is important for people to realize that there may be consequences for our actions, but there is a way out of the struggle.

I believe the number one reason people stress over their finances is because they have purchased things that they could not pay for by using credit cards and taking out loans.  I can relate to this one.  Obviously, the first step to a solution or a way to avoid this altogether is to not use credit cards or take out loans.  If you don’t have the cash to buy something, don’t buy it.  This might be very difficult to do, but Hebrews 13:5 is a good verse to remember.  “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…”  If you are content with what you have, you will not be so anxious to buy something you can’t afford.

An obvious reason you may be experiencing trouble with finances is that you don’t work.  We talked about the need to work earlier this week.  Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”  Enough said.

Another reason you “think” you are having financial difficulty is that you “think” you don’t have enough money.  Recall that we learned that more than a third of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day.  If you live in the United States, you are probably better off than you think, even if you are not keeping up with those around you.  If you don’t worry about where your next meal is coming from and you have a place to sleep, you may just need a different perspective about your situation.

Proverbs 21:17 warns us that whoever loves pleasure will become poor.  The simple solution to that is to not love pleasure, but let’s dig a little deeper.  Why would someone love pleasure?  People who love pleasure are living for themselves.  If you live for God and not for yourself, you will not have trouble with this one.

I think the most difficult situation to deal with is a tragedy.  There are many different tragedies that can wreak havoc on a person’s life.  Accidents, illnesses, fires, hurricanes, crime, etc. are many times out of our control and cannot be avoided.  We can take steps to avoid some tragedies or at least lessen their chances, but being a Christian does not mean you won’t experience a tragedy.  There may be consequences to a tragedy that you did not deserve, but I can tell you that if you put your trust in God, He will make sure your needs are met.  One way He helps people get through these tough times is to engage others to help you.  I would encourage you to keep your eyes open for people that need help and to be that help that they need.

Lastly, Luke 12:29-31 says, “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father know that you need them.  But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”  This is actually a pretty key concept about financial peace.  If you seek His kingdom, God will take care of your needs.  However, if you are not seeking His kingdom, I can understand why you are worrying about your finances.  You should be worried.

I hope these devotions this week have given you some clarity about money.  I was confused about money before I searched the scriptures for some answers.  I now have a much better understanding of the role money should or should not play in my life.  The Bible is pretty big, but I love that there is so much to learn if you take the time to search it out.  Thank you, God, for sending us your words of wisdom.

-Rick McClain

Today’s Bible reading plan passages can be read or listened to at Biblegateway.com here. Isaiah 59-60 and Titus 1