We all know the 10 Commandments, but did you know that there are at least four more commandments about managing money? Maybe they’re not spelled out 1-2-3-4 but they’re definitely in God’s Word. Rob West talks with Ron Blue to find out where to find them.
We all know the 10 Commandments, they’re listed clearly in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. But did you know that there are at least four more commandments about managing money? Okay, so maybe they’re not spelled out 1-2-3-4, but they’re definitely in God’s Word. Host Rob West talks with financial expert Ron Blue to find out just where to find them and why we need to follow them. Then it’s your calls at 800-525-7000. Ron Blue is a much sought after speaker and author on biblical financial principles. He’s co-founder of Kingdom Advisors and CEO of the Ron Blue Institute.
Our lifestyles are always funded with after tax dollars. Because of that, it takes an incredible income to fund some of the lifestyles that Christians, along with the world, have adopted.
The Bible teaches that we’re to enjoy God’s blessings. Isaiah 44 reads, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
It’s God who provides for our needs, not ourselves. In fact, there’s no correlation between how hard we work and how much we make. Scripture makes it clear that we’re to work, but the income we make is in God's hands, and He’ll meet our every need.
Psalm 127 reads, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."
We’re commanded to give. Proverbs 3 says, "Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce." In 1 Corinthians 16, the Apostle Paul adds, "On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come."
We’re commanded to pay taxes. In Romans 13, Paul writes, "Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." Jesus Himself also gives us insight on this commandment when He says in Matthew 22, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
Our third biblical commandment for using money is ... paying our debts. Psalm 37 says clearly, "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives." Not paying our debts responsibly makes us no better than the wicked.
The fourth commandment is to provide for our family's needs. In 1 Timothy 5, Paul writes, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
God provides our income and He’s determined what’s the appropriate income for us. But we’re responsible to prioritize the use of this income; to obey His commandments to give, pay taxes, repay debt, and provide for my family's needs.
Here are some questions we answered from our callers on today’s program:
My friend has been let go from her job. She wants to file for unemployment, but she cannot get through to them. What should she do?
When I retire and roll over my 401K, I have been looking at Betterment. Do you know about them? What is your opinion on them?
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