How is the salvation of my family and my finances interrelated? How can financial choices jeopardize or facilitate the family's journey to heaven?

The series of messages, ⁠"Anchored in Christ: a Family that Stands," ⁠was presented to members of the West Asia Field, headquartered in Istambul, Turkey, on March 4, 2026. Related themes: Children, Parents, Children’s Education, Religious Education, and Finances.

More resources are available on my channels:

Spotify (Primum Deus): ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4d8wvbfIYXNOHW1JEfoBU1⁠

YouTube (English and Spanish): https://⁠www.youtube.com/c/MarcosFaiockBomfim⁠

Most of the books mentioned in this presentation, ⁠"Child Guidance,"⁠ ⁠"The Adventist Home," ⁠⁠"Education,"⁠ ⁠"Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,"⁠ ⁠"Fundamentals on Christian Education"⁠, "Counsels on Stewardship," and others may be ⁠found here⁠: https://whiteestate.org/books/egw-books/books/.

My notes:

Abraham and Lot

Two stories: two destinies

How is the salvation of my family and my finances interrelated?

Gen 12 - 

• God’s call to Abraham. He departs with all his possessions (v. 5)

Gen 13 - 

• Abraham was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold (v. 2).
• v. 4 - He built altars wherever he went (an indication of his priorities).
• A STRIFE starts
• Abraham's proposal - very unselfish.
• Lot’s choice - the plain of Jordan, well-watered
• v. 13 - Abraham pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
• v. 13 - Sodom people were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
• v. 14 - God’s promise to Abraham: Lift your eyes…

Gen 14 - 4 kings agains 5

• Lot goes captive
• Abraham comes to rescue him

Moving fast forward:

Gen 17 - God repeats the covenant. God promises to multiply descendants and possessions.

Gen 19 - 

• God decides to destroy Sodom 
• They should not look back
• Sodom’s destruction, and Lot loses everything.

Some general financial principles:

• Matt. 6:33 - God first
• Sequence is essential:  (1)work, (2)receive, (3)give, (4)save, (5)invest, (6)spend.
• WORK
• Psalm 128 -
• RECEIVE
• GIVE - why? To develop trust in the Lord, not love for money.
• SAVE - 
• Prov 21:20 - 20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
• Proverbs 6:6-11 -

Develop contentment. Debt is frequently the result of discontentment with having only what is possible. They get into debt to have what they cannot afford. (Josanan). Phill 4:11-12.

• Hebrews 13:5 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
• 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”

• Live on what belongs to you - do not borrow

• Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.”

• Pay what you owe - 

• Rom 13:8 - 8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
• Psalm 37:21 – “The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.”

• Only use money that is already in your bank account. Do not count on resources you have not yet received. 

• Phil 4:12 - 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how o [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

• Gather the crumbles. See John 6:12