“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) Many older translations use the word ‘lusts’ in place of ‘passions.’ Another word which can replace lusts or passions, is ‘desire,’ or ‘strong desire.’ We all are familiar with strongly desiring things or objects. One of the […]

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When making major expenditures, such as a car, a home, or furniture, there are four concepts which assist me in making a wise and godly decision. The first is prayer. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) […]

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“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions” (Malachi 3:8). Tithes belong to God, and generally are returned to the church in which you are a member. Contributions are in addition to the tithe. But where and to whom do we […]

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“As you excel in everything … see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Cor. 8:7) The Corinthians were being exhorted to receive a particular kind of grace, the grace to give. The fact that we can become a giver, by asking for the grace to give, is very encouraging. It is […]

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Giving is the fruit of a redeemed life. The evidence of a heart transformation is an open wallet. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be. Conversely, where your heart is, there will your treasure be. I was told of a tight fisted individual who was converted and baptized. He became a wonderful example […]

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Debt is a spiritual issue. My primary concern with spending beyond my means, with my out-go surpassing my in-come, is I am presuming upon the future. Presume means to take for granted that tomorrow will be the same as today. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such […]

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It seems that the majority of problems that a married couple will face are related to money. Conflicts arise about who makes it, who spends it, how it is spent, should they go into debt, and what are their long term goals concerning retirement, etc.

I would hope that most of these questions would be discussed at length and in depth BEFORE you get married. This allows you to be pulling in the same direction. Some will say such deliberations are not “spiritual” (I may have said that when I was 25, sigh), but recall the scripture on the front of this book.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)

Two of the reasons I work are to provide for my family now, and leave an inheritance for the future. Saving money for the future encompasses physical assets and a spiritual legacy.

“Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalm 112:1-3)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

There is certainly a balance between being a diligent provider and living by faith. These are not in opposition. Unfortunately it took me a while to learn this lesson. Before I was a Christian, if I needed money I worked for it. After I rededicated my life to serving the King, I began reading books about godly men and women, like J. Hudson Taylor and George Muller. There I began learning about the life of faith, or praying for your needs to be met.

“But if any provides not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever”. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ASV)

This passage is speaking directly to caring for widows, but it also sums up what is obvious and should not have to