A Faith-filled Focus

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life—1 Timothy 6:17-19

Money matters, doesn't it? While televisionevangelists have long-abused the word pros perity, it is still true that God desires success for all God's children. I am passionately convinced that every person will experience transformation in their life when they put their faith into action by practicing the timeless principles addressed

Think about how much of your energy each week is tied in some way to money. The prime time of our days and weeks is given to earning money. Every day you make numerous financial decisions. Everything costs money, from food for your family, to gas for your car, to the roof over your head.

Our finances are unstable at best, because every part of our life is tied to economic forces that are much bigger than any individual. Consider the impact of September 11, 2001, the day that a war began, when so much changed. It was the official end to the boom of the 1990s, during which the economy grew rapidly and the stock market appreciated at a reckless pace. The average person lost 40 percent of his or her financial investments or retirement funds as a result of 9/11.

Beyond the hard facts about our finances, money matters take an emotional toll on our lives and in our relationships. The Gallup Poll verifies that 56 percent of all divorces are the result of financial tension.

All God's children can be free from financial worry, however, because God gives us biblical principles to open the doors to financial freedom. Whether as debt-ridden adults or credit-tempted students, there can be no better time than right now to experience transformation in our money matters.

Powerful Parent

As we build a platform for wealth in every sense of the term, we should begin with the understanding that we have a powerful parent. If you and I as humans are willing to go to such great lengths to be with and provide for our children, how much more God? This parental promise Matthew 7:7-11:

Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (NRSV)

I had a toy not too long ago, a 1960 Corvette with silver coves, a white soft top, and nine perfect chrome teeth in the front. There is a special connection between men and their toys. Often I'll call a friend's house and his wife will answer the phone and tell me that my friend is out in the garage. Women seldom go out to the garage just to look at their car or motorcycle or whatever's out there, but men can be caught just opening the door and sighing! The number one question I'm asked is, "Why don't you have your Corvette anymore? What happened to the car?" Only one thing could cause me to give up that car: a child, a child who needed to attend college. And here's the sad thing: I'll probably never be able to buy another Corvette because already that car is worth three times what I paid for it. I knew when I let it go that I was letting it go for good, but the heart of a parent does whatever is required for the sake of the child.

Notice the authority of Jesus' teaching, because Matthew is very intentional: "your Father in heaven." That's not merely a title; it's a position. God is in the all-powerful position to back you with all the resources of heaven. God is in the position to back God's promises. I saw how this analogy works when a family friend from our church was in Philadelphia and called my son's apartment to take Jonathan out to supper. This man wanted to stop by the college bookstore on the way to the restaurant to buy his wife a University of Pennsylvania sweatshirt. The three of them went to the bookstore to buy it, and Jonathan said, "You don't have to worry about paying for that. We'll just put it on my bursar account and let my dad pay for it." It didn't matter that my son had no resources to his name, because Jonathan knew that his father was in a position to back him!

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." —Jesus, Luke 12:7

There are many things you can control in your life, but ironically you have no control over God's love for you. There is nothing you can do to change God's love, no matter how badly you mess up. Jesus told us that God even has the hairs on your head numbered— he knows the exact number. If an earthly father would get involved with a passion for a a piece of steel that was made in 1960, only to give it up for his child, how much more your heavenly father?

The Promise of Provision

As we're building a platform of financial freedom into our lives, the amazing truth is that we not only have a powerful parent, we have a powerful parent who has given us the promise of provision. "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

The Bible offers one narrative after another that illustrates how no need is too great for God to meet. When the Israelites were out in the middle of the desert without anything to eat, God provided manna and quail. When there was nothing to drink, God pulled water out of a rock. When the only available resources to feed 5,000 people were a few dry fish and five loaves of bread, Jesus multiplied them to feed the multitudes. "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) If God was willing to give Jesus to die for you, does not everything else pale in comparison to Love's ability to provide for your every need?

Financial freedom is based in trust; that is, in building a trusting relationship between you and God. Life is not about frantically pursuing money and possessions, because God's already promised all we need. Life is about pursuing a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. We begin to build a lifetime of financial freedom by readjusting our priorities. Jesus put it this way: "But strive first for the kingdom of God...