Financial Freedom

Did you get all your Christmas presents bought during “Black Friday,” or “Cyber Monday”? Or, do you find yourself “short on cash” for this Christmas season? This is the time of year when so many people have less than what they need.

The late Dr. Adrian Rogers in one of his messages on “Financial Freedom” said, “Modern Americans have been described in this way. ‘Driving a bank financed car, over a bond financed highway, on gas bought with a credit card, on his way to open a charge account at a department store, so he can fill his Savings and Loan financed house, with installment purchased furniture.’” Dr. Rogers went on to say, “We need to stop buying what we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t like.”

But, that’s the answer! The credit card, or so we have been conditioned to believe. However, using the phrase coined years ago by Dr. R. G. Lee, there is a “Pay Day Someday.”

Folly-- is a term we do not often use today, but it is a term used often in the Scripture. It suggests a lack of good sense, lack of foresight, failing to realize the consequences of our actions.

There is a “Biblical formula” for financial freedom. If you will start now to put into place this formula, by next Christmas you will have all you need. Not all you want maybe, but all you need. We sometimes confuse greed with need.

In the most famous sermon of all time, referred to as the “Sermon On The Mount,” Jesus taught financial freedom.  In Matthew 6, Jesus taught that if you will trust Him, He will supply all you need. “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you have need of them. But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you.”

So many Christians have not learned this Biblical principle to financial freedom.

What does it mean to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”? It means to have a relationship with God through faith in Christ Jesus. You then become His child and He becomes your heavenly Father, to rule and reign in your heart and life. Just as a good parent provides for his or her child, your heavenly Father will provide all you need. Jesus used this example Himself, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11) NIV

The apostle Paul said, “My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) NIV