What’s the most important relationship in your life? Think carefully before you reply, “It’s with my spouse and children.” That’s important, but your most important relationship is with God. We do need family and friends, but those bonds lack the eternal significance of your relationship with God. On this MoneyWise, we talk about practical ways you can strengthen that relationship. 
<ul><li>The Bible gives us three dots to connect money and our relationship with the Lord.</li><li>First, God created everything and therefore He owns everything. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”</li><li>Second, God gave us everything we possess. Deuteronomy 10:14 reads, “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.” So although God owns everything, He’s given us resources to use temporarily as his stewards.</li><li>Finally, God is not distant and detached. He wants a close relationship with you. James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” We draw near to God by being obedient and following His law. With over 2,300 verses in Scripture about money and possessions, God has made his desire quite clear that He wants us to manage money according to His principles.</li><li>In Luke 16:11, Jesus indicates that God uses money as a test. He says, “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” Jesus is saying that how you handle money affects your spiritual life. If you manage it well, according to biblical principles, you’ll naturally grow closer to Christ. If not, your fellowship with the Lord suffers. So, biblical money management is a very practical way to improve your spiritual life, though sometimes things get in the way of that.</li><li>There are two kinds of disobedience that keep us from handling money God’s way and growing closer to Him. The first is passive. It’s just plain laziness. Some people don’t want to take the time to organize their finances, to make a budget, and track their spending. Doing those things might only take a few hours a month. Still, it’s just too much to bother with. Worse, that same person will instead spend more time watching TV every night. As a result, intimacy with God suffers.</li><li>The second kind of disobedience is passive. It’s a willful disobedience. For that person, money and possessions compete with Christ. Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms how that will turn out. In Matthew 6:24 He says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Then there are people who think they can surrender every part of their lives to Christ except money. They might be quite good at making money, paying their bills on time, saving, and investing. However, they refuse to give Christ lordship over their finances and to follow all of the Bible’s teaching.</li><li>Finally, there’s the person who’s not following biblical, financial principles but thinks his relationship with the Lord is just fine. To him we might say, “What you don’t know will hurt you. What are you missing out on? You might think finances aren’t interfering with your relationship with God, but how would you know?</li><li>Commit to the Lord in earnest prayer. Then, follow through managing your money and possessions His way. To find what you need to get started, download the free MoneyWise app. It’ll not only help you set up a budget based on the envelope system, but also has the best Christian financial content out there to help you grow closer to God by following His principles.</li></ul>On this program we also answer your questions:
<ul><li>We’ll be receiving a $100,000 inheritance from my mother who passed away. We want to share this with our 3 kids. How do we present this to them? Should we give this to them now or later on?</li><li>I was awarded a savings bond in a Junior Miss pageant. I was supposed to pick it up at a bank but never did. How can I track that down and get it?</li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a> where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, purchase books, and even download free, helpful resources like the free MoneyWise app. Like and Follow us on Facebook at MoneyWise Media for videos and the very latest discussion! Remember that it’s your prayerful and financial support that keeps MoneyWise on the air. Help us continue this outreach by clicking the Donate tab on our website or in our app.

FaithFi

Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry hosted by Rob West. The program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

Faith & Finance with Rob West

What’s the most important relationship in your life?  We do need family and friends, but those bonds lack the eternal significance of your relationship with God. On this MoneyWise, we talk about practical ways you can strengthen that relationship.

Your Most Important Relationship

FaithFi | Aug 7, 2021

Show Notes

Where Faith Meets Finance

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