Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” We’re more than ready to accept God’s blessing but we should be just as willing to accept discipline when we need it. Rob talks about that and how the Lord corrects us when we use money unwisely.
<ul><li>God’s blessings, and His corrections, aren’t always financial. We should recognize that the principles taught in Scripture apply to many aspects of life, but that certainly includes how we handle money. Let’s look at some verses where God blesses and also withholds His blessing - which is another way to say “corrects” - depending on how His people obey His commands. In Deuteronomy 28 is a good example of where God clearly lays out His intended blessing for obedience. But He follows up with curses for disobedience.</li><li>Verse 1 says, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today - the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”</li><li>Those blessings include having children and abundant crops and livestock, everything the Israelites could expect if they were obedient.</li><li>But in verse 15, we see the consequences for disobedience. “You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. “Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.”</li><li>We see a similar if/then statement given to Eli in 1 Samuel 2, verse 30, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”</li><li>Does that mean that God will curse us and our families for generations if we fail to balance our checkbooks or we make a late payment? No, but we should look at some of the practical ways we are corrected when we mismanage money.</li><li>If you fail to live within your means - or fail to plan for spending, giving and saving for the future - unpleasant things are bound to happen. You’ll run up debt. You won’t have enough to pay your bills. Or you won’t have enough income when you can no longer work.</li><li>There’s a spiritual component to this, as well. God absolutely will use the pressure and the stress in your life to bring you to repentance, to make you realize you have to change your ways. And when you do, He will bless you.</li><li>Unlike the clear warnings we see in Deuteronomy 28 and 1 Samuel 2 we won’t always know what God’s blessings or corrections will look like. But your outcome will ultimately be good when you follow God’s path, and not so good when you wander off it.</li><li>The reason we’re to follow God’s principles is not because it’s a formula for financial success. Following them usually puts you in a position for financial success but the goal is to be obedient, which makes us more like Christ - and enhances our intimacy with Him.</li><li>1 Peter 2 tells us, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”</li></ul>Next, Rob answers these questions at 800-525-7000 or via email at Questions@MoneyWiseLive.org:
<ul><li>Should I refinance my house?</li><li>Is it too late for your 61 year old friend to open a 401k to save for retirement, and how much risk should she take on?</li><li>What does a Payable On Death designation mean on an account?</li><li>Is it a good investment to refinance a home with a $50,000 cash-out at 2.5% to purchase an investment property if you have a tenant lined up?</li><li>If you are eligible for full Social Security at 66 and 4 months but don't claim it until age 67, do you get a full 8% increase for delaying?</li><li>Is it beneficial to make gifts prior to death in the light of possible future estate tax law changes?</li><li>Is an online simple will program sufficient for updating your wills instead of making changes through an attorney?</li><li>Is it OK to have only one savings account?</li><li>How can you start getting your credit rating improved if accounts have been opened fraudulently in your name over the years?</li><li>If you and your husband are in your forties and no longer have a mortgage, what should you do with $160,000 in savings?</li></ul>Be sure to check out the rest of MoneyWise.org to connect with a MoneyWise Coach or access our books and our many free helpful resources. You can also find us on Facebook (MoneyWise Media) and join the conversation. Thanks for your prayerful and financial support that helps keep MoneyWise on the air. And if you'd like to help, just click the Donate tab at the top of the page.

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For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” We’re ready to accept God’s blessing, but we should be just as willing to accept discipline?

God Disciplines With Money

FaithFi | Nov 24, 2021

Show Notes

Where Faith Meets Finance

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