Faithful Finances

A clear indication of the level of my surrender is how defensive I get when someone mentions finances.

Our Responsibility (3:9)

• We must realize that every spending decision has spiritual implications.
• To honor the LORD with our wealth means that we give precedence to His priorities. 
• We will never please the God who gave His all if we only offer Him what is left.

God’s Promise (3:10)

• If we value God enough to give generously, He is trustworthy enough to provide faithfully.
• No matter how much we give, we will never outgive God.
• The sacrifices we invest will never compare to the blessings He overflows.

Financial Advice (8 Applications from Proverbs)

1. Trust God for Your Needs – “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8-9).
2. Work Hard for Your Family – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame” (Prov. 10:4-5).
3. Avoid Debt Where You Can – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender” (Prov. 22:7).
4. Be Aware of Your Finances – “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?” (Prov. 27:23-24).
5. Save Money for Future Needs – “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it” (Prov. 21:20).
6. Don’t Trust in Your Wealth – “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination” (Prov. 18:11).
7. Bless Others After Your Passing – “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous” (Prov. 13:22).
8. Give Generously to Worthwhile Needs – “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered” (Prov. 11:24-25).

Honoring God with your wealth is not about how much you have but what you do with it.