As mentioned in our previous article, we will be spending the next year reviewing what we call the “5 Keys to Financial Freedom.” These are the five things you can do as a Christian to keep your faith and finances working in synergy. You will find these articles every other month, and can contact us any time to receive an article you may have missed.
The first key is a simple and humbling one: Believe that God owns it all.
First, you must believe that God is not only the author of your life but that He controls all details, including your finances. Everything is His, we are merely the instruments that He is using to work things according to His plan.
Psalms 50:10 says, “For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills” and Haggai 2:8 says, “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.” He created the Earth and gave us these things to enjoy. We are here to bring glory to Him in all that we do. If we take the mindset that we have created the good in this world, we are taking God’s glory and making ourselves gods. In Romans 1, Paul describes how a people “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” therefore “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” To give God the glory in every aspect of our lives is why we were created.
God is a good God and He wants to bless those that glorify and honor Him. Deuteronomy 8:18 says “it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” God gives us the ability to make money and the opportunity to succeed. James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Everything good comes from God…your job, your family, your spouse, your children…God gives us these gifts because He loves us. He will provide every need that we may have as it says in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Even David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). What a testimony to God providing for His people! These are promises of God and unlike man we know that they are true and He will keep them all!
A great parable to reference is that of the master and his servants whom he entrusted with his talents. You may reference Matthew 25:14-30 if you would like to refresh your memory of the story.
First, we notice that God gave each talent according to his ability. We do not need to worry that God will give us something that we cannot handle because for everything that comes our way, He has given us specific talents and abilities to be able to be proven as faithful servants.
Second, we notice that for every action there is a consequence or result. For the good servants, they were given entrance into the joy of the Lord but for the lazy servant, he was thrown into outer darkness. By reading God’s Word, we can learn about our Lord and how we should serve Him.
A Steward is defined as “a person who manages another’s property of financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.” We are all stewards of the inheritance that God has given to us. Our actions determine if we are profitable or unprofitable servants. We all want to be faithful, good and profitable servants for our Lord but how do we do this? By obeying God’s Word and having a relationship with Him.
Next time, we’ll discuss the second key to financial freedom and how its simplicity can be so powerful.
Michelle Bauer is an Investment Advisor Representative of, and securities are offered through USA Financial Securities. Member FINRA/SIPC. A Registered Investment Advisor. 6020 E Fulton St., Ada, MI 49301. Council Tree Financial and USA Financial Securities are not affiliated.
