I Gotta Be Honest About Money

...I'm not perfect! *gasp* No one is, Peggy!

 Our finances are a disaster. Royal quagmire. A sink hole.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture.

As children of God, our money matters shouldn't look like the way of the rest of the worlds. They should be in order, and under a good steward. Yet how many of us believers struggle with what to do, daily?

In Matthew 25:14-30, Christ tells the parable of the talents. *Talents where a weight of money, so it could be gold, silver etc, not a specific amount.

Three servants are given according to their abilities, first one receives 5, second receives 2, third receives 1. The first two go out and double their talents. The third buries his 1. When the Master returns, he rewards the first two, according to their faithfulness. The third one has his taken away and is banished for laziness.

We are to be diligent, and faithful with our resources. Not hiding it away, or wasting it. But using it for it's purposes. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to submit all our ways to Him and He will make our ways straight. Submit ALL our ways, including and most especially our money.

These past few years God's been teaching my husband and I a lot about Himself.  But the one thing that keeps ringing in my head the most, is obedience to His Word.  Obeying shows faith, and faith brings obedience. Obey, obey obey. So, if I'm to obey, what am I to obey Him about, regarding money? Like the Matthew parable shows, I must be diligent to be found faithful with that which is given to me. Money, personal talents/callings, relationships are given to us. All this we must be faithful with. God's Word shows us and tells us just what to do with all of it:

Be a good steward.

Be faithful.

Be sober.

Be loving.

Be generous.

Be hopeful.

So, if you're like me, money makes you stress out at times. Even to the point of staying up at nights, or waking up at night. *Like I am now, at the typing of this post. But, as His children, we are not to worry either! Oh Lord, that is so very hard not to do.  But worry does not trust He will do what He promises us. Stressing over anything, be it money or relationships, does not bring us the peace He'd like to give us.

So, what then?

We must be diligent, to be found faithful with that which has been given to us, and with joy and thanksgiving, wait upon the Lords grace and mercy. He will provide what we need, as we need it. He will give to those who are faithful, and not take away.

So today, we, my husband and I, will submit our money tangling ways to the Lord, our Beloved Master. And ask Him for His help and guidance.  We will walk the path of diligence and practice our obedience to His Word. As believers, we can do no less than obey. Even to the point of personal sacrifice.

1 Peter 4:1-2, " Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."

Pray for us, as we practice obedience, faith and trust in God in these matters. It's not easy to submit habitual matters to Him, but it is what we're called to do. And if we profess to believe Him and His Word, we can do no less, than follow His Word. I have great hope, full of assurance, that He will be faithful to us. That our money handling skills will grow and stretch, teaching us much more about His character (and ours!) than we thought possible. For with every act of faith and willingness to obey, He shows through to be that which He has said.

I'm excited to see what He will teach us, and show us. I am not fearful, but joyful. Knowing that His ways are good and perfect.

In His Hands,

Peggy