Geekons.com: Christian Technology Podcast

View-Source: God's financial advice

• Proverbs 22:7 tells us that If we owe debt to someone, we are their slave. If you disagree and owe money to someone, what first comes to mind when you think about quitting your job and spending a year or two in the mission field? You probably can't because you have debt that you must continue to pay back.
• The verse before this tells us that if we train a child in the way he should go, that when he is old he will not turn from it. Imagine the implications of this on verse 7? Do we want our kids to be slaves when they grow up? Or free to serve God without limitation?
• Matthew 6:19-21 Reminds us that earthly treasures shouldn't be our driving force, but heavenly treasures. As my pastor says, "It's all gonna burn", so we should strive for the things that won't burn.
• Matthew 6:24 later tells us that we basically need to make a choice, we can't serve both God and Money.
• In Romans 13 we read that we should let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.
• 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us of the importance to provide for our relatives, not just our spouse and children!
• Romans 12:2 encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, and not to be conformed to the pattern of this world. In the perspective of this study, consider how "normal" it is to be in debt, to own and use a credit card, to have a car payment, to owe on your house, and to live paycheck to paycheck.
• I am battling with this myself in my own family, but I'm making a covenant with God to pursue a more Godly understanding of finances, and learn how I can manage the finances God has allowed me to have brief control over. This isn't my money, it is God's, and I need to use it in a way that glorifies Him.
• I have yet to find a verse in the bible that encourages debt and selfish spending. Nothing seems to say we have the right or need to live comfortably. I see that everything I need to be thoroughly equipped for EVERY good work is found in God's word, not in shiny gadgets, recording studios, or even my iPod.
• I still feel that God allows us to buy tools we need, and provisions required for life. I still need to drive to work, but I definitely don't need to get in debt so I can drive to work "in style". I feel God has called me to this podcast, but I don't need to stay in debt and spend my money on a balanced condenser mic, DAW, and mixing board with flying faders. I feel God has blessed His people with plants that produce beans that can be roasted, ground, and french-pressed into an awesome cup-o-joe, but I shouldn't buy a $3 americano each morning when I still owe on student loans.
• God has provided us with an awesome guidebook to life, and he describes clearly that he wants us to be responsible for our finances. What are you doing to make sure you and your family are provided for? What kind of an example are you setting for your family, your children, and those in the community around you? I hope it is better than the example I've been setting, and I pray that we all start focusing on God's standard rather than the American culture on how to deal with money.