financial freedom God's way - Harvey Nowland

It is important to know why you want to become financially free. This may seem like a “no-brainer.” After all, why would you want to be in financial bondage because of debt? Freedom-from-debt freedom looks like the logical choice. Nevertheless, your motivation for becoming debt free is important. Being released from the tension and anxiety of debt and being able to do what you want, when you want, might be high on a priority list. But for the Christian, learning God’s biblical principles of finances, and practicing them in order to become debt free, actually is a path to know Christ more intimately and be financially free to serve Him. This means, however, that you must trust God and be willing to submit to His will and direction. We say we trust God, but there’s a great difference between saying and trusting. Often we trust if it’s convenient or necessary as a last resort. God expects us to trust Him daily, in all things. If you’re serious about becoming financially free, take these action steps: Transfer ownership to God. Recognize that God really owns what you have and that includes your family as well as your time and things. Recognize this biblical principle or it will be impossible to free yourself financially. "The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it." (Psalm 24:1 NASB) Get out of debt. Break the habits that keep you in debt – like spending more than you earn and borrowing. Save so you don’t have to borrow. "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it." (Proverbs 15:16 NASB) Accept God’s provision for you. God is wiser than you are and He will provide for your needs just as He promised. "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ " (Matthew 6:31 NASB). Refuse temptations to make hasty financial decisions. Don’t buy into get-rich-quick schemes or be pressured to make quick decisions based on incomplete information. "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5 NASB) Strive for excellence in all you do. Set high standards for yourself and your family. Humility doesn’t mean second best. "Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterance of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever." (1 Peter 4:11 NASB) Seek contentment through your relationship with God. A discontented spirit produces greed and covetousness. Contentment results from a proper relationship with God based on accepting the lifestyle that He has made provision for in your life. "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." (Philippians 4:11-12 NASB) Believe God’s promise that your needs will be met. Sometimes He’ll do this through the abundance of others; however, He never promises to provide equally for everyone. As a Christian, learn to accept God’s provision for you, because it is clear evidence of the role He has designed for you in His plan. Accept His provision without resentment because, "At this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality." (2 Corinthians 8:14 NASB).