Home Improvement

The statistics below don’t lie concerning money. Americans (in their home lives) need a little tender loving care (TLC) when it comes to their finances:

1.  The most common sources of stress include money (64%), work (60%), the economy (49%), family duties, (47%) and personal health concerns (46%).

2.  51% of the American population is putting off major financial decisions. 

3.  76% of the American population lives from paycheck to paycheck (including 25% of those earning more than $100,000 per year.)

4.  What keeps people up at night? Personal finances (nearly 80%), nothing (13%), job security (4%), and marital concerns or raising children (2%) are on the list.

5.  52 % of the American population would not be able to cover an emergency of $400. 

6.  36% of the American population is not saving at all for retirement. (29% of the American population has less than $1,000 in savings.)

7.  The average American household has total debt of $117,951.

8.  61% of parents feel more comfortable talking about finances with an advisor than they do with their adult child. 

9.  64% of couples (without children under eighteen) argue about money. 80% of couples (with children younger than 18) argue about money.

10.     21% of the American population (aged 75+) is carrying mortgage debt into retirement.

Wise money management means knowing all wealth comes from God.

1.  "One verse in every six in the first three Gospels relates either directly or indirectly to money. Sixteen of our Lords forty-four parables deal with the use of misuse of money. A loving, joyful, liberal giving to the Lords work is an acid test of a spiritual heart, pleasing to God." (David Livingstone)

2.  “In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out”

(Chorus of a song by Hillsong)

Wise money management means returning some of your wealth back to God.

1.  “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38)

2.  "The real measure of our wealth is how much we should be worth if we lost our money." (J. H. Jowett)

3.  It’s not your employer’s money. It’s God, who pays the wages.

Wise money management includes saving some wealth to honor God.

1.  “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” (Proverbs 21:20, NLT)

2.  “A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.” (Proverbs 22:3)

3.  “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”              (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV)

4.  ROBERT’S OPINION – Per Malachi 3:8, a tenth is the standard percentage for tithing. If personal debt prevents you from doing this, give a little (or nothing if needs be).

God expects you to pay your debtors. (Matthew 18:26-27) [i]Giving can also be done through the avenue of volunteering because time is money.

Because of 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Almighty wants your tithe cheerfully. If that’s not possible, avoid giving your tithe. The Heavenly Father owns everything, and He will find another way to supply for His ministries. (Psalm 50:10) [ii]

Here’s a question for you. Is it right to use bill money to tithe with? Will God provide that missing money when the bill comes due? (You must discover the answers for yourself. Remember, the Almighty can bless in other ways than monetary.)

Wise money management includes limiting most of the debt to glorify God.

1.  “The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.” (Proverbs 22:7)

2.  “Don’t run up debts; except for the huge debt of love you owe each other.” (Romans 13:8)

3.  Lots of debt ways people down emotionally, and prevents focusing on God (and loving others freely).

Wise money management includes being able to budget all your expenses to glorify God.[iii]

1.  “Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)

2.  “This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me”
(Chorus of a song by Phil Wickham

3.  “The secret to life and maintaining a budget is to be content with what you have. God has abundant blessings to share with you (in His will).”

4.  "Today Christians spend more money on dog food than missions." (Francis Bacon)

When possible, I believe it is vitally important to live within your means. Do you agree? Monetary improvement (in its simplest form) can be summarized in Hebrews 13:5:

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk out and leave yo

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[i] The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, “Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.” Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. (Matthew 18:26-27, MSG)

[ii] “For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10, NLT)

[iii] Inspired by the sermon “The Choose Wisely Series: Wise Money Management,” Installment Four (final), Pastor Jon Fulton (of CenterPoint Church Westerville), September 25, 2016, CenterPoint Church Gahanna, Gahanna, OH