God's Plan For Financial Freedom

3. A Get-Rich-Quick Attitude: There is some truth in “Prosperity Preaching,” but it has been exagerated out of proportion and now boarders on foolishness. This get-rich-quick attitude is characterized by attempts to make money quickly with very little effort. An investment is a “get-rich-quick” program if an individual must assume excessive debt, borrow the money to invest, or deal deceitfully with people. Most multi-level marketing programs fall into this category. Unfortunately many of these multi-level marketing skeems thrive in the church and are the cause of a multitude of problems. My advice to you – stay as far away from them as possible – don’t even go to one of their meetings.

4. No Gainful Employment: Financial bondage also exists when there is no desire for gainful employment. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” If you have a “welfare mentality” shame on you! All I have to say to you is, “Get your lazy carcus out there and get a job – even if it is minimum wage and below what you think is your status in life!”

5. Deceitfulness: A Christian is in financial bondage if he is dishonest in financial matters.

6. Greediness: Financial bondage will also result from greed, which is reflected when someone always wants the best or always wants more. Someone who is never able to put others first, never able to accept a necessary loss, or is always looking at what others have and comparing themselves to them suffers from greed. A Christian who cannot put his or her own wants aside to satisfy the needs of others suffers from greed. The rich ruler in Luke 18 suffered from this malady. He had put an idol, his money, before God, and he could not give up that idol, even to follow Christ.

7. Covetousness: A Christian is in financial bondage if she looks at what others have and desires it with a “keeping up with the Joneses” attitude. Young married couples often fall into this trap. They want everything the Joneses have and they want it now, so the go into debt to get it. Too bad they couldn’t first look inside the Joneses’ house and see the strife when the paycheck comes in and there’’ never enough to satisfy all the creditors. Or the anxiety that takes place when a notice comes from a collection agency taking them to court. Or the despair of a housewife when a creditor calls at 10:00 am asking for money.

8. Family Needs Unmet: You are in financial bondage if, because of your past buying habits, your family’s needs cannot be net. The reasons for unmet needs can be many: you may refuse gainful employment; be shackled with debts to the point that creditors take necessary family funds; or your standard of living may allow “luxuries” to deprive your family of needs. Things like a new bass boat, elk rifle, sports car, fancy vacation, kitchen remodel, snow mobile and such. None of these things are wrong, but when you put them in front of meeting your family needs, you’ve got a problem.