Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

God is THE source for…• Wisdom

– Because Solomon asked for WISDOM he received WEALTH

– Ask God for wisdom; it will be given to anyone (conditional: with faith & no doubting) Jas. 1:5-7

• Wealth– The supply of needs comes from HIS riches Phil 4:19– Abundance: 2 Cor 9:8-10

• makes grace ABOUND toward you• All sufficiency and ABUNDANCE toward every good work

1) It’s ALL God’s

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

We don’t receive because• We don’t ask

– You have not because you ask not Jas 4:2

• Or we ask for our own pleasure – You ask and do not receive, because you ask

amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Jas 4:3

• Or We ask while doubting– For let not [the doubter] suppose that he will

receive anything from the Lord; Jas 1:7

1) It’s ALL God’s

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

Give NOW! Put HIM first!

• First in attitude– All your mind, soul, heart, strength

• First in Time order– Honor the Lord…with the firstfruits of all your

increase—so your barns will be full…Pr 3:9

2) Give to God First

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

Give NOW!

• First in attitude

• First in Time order

• First in Faith/Experience/Risk– PROVE ME …Blessings poured out…Devourer

rebuked…Nations will call you blessed Mal 3:10

– Lk 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you:

2) Give to God First

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

Preliminaries:

• Come to an agreement with your spouse on the plan

• Don’t fear or panic—it’s God’s money. You’re just the steward!– Don’t fear the unknown– Don’t fear poverty– Don’t fear the IRS

3) Plan the expenses, then work the plan

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

Become an active GOOD STEWARDMt 25:20 (NKJ) "So he who had received five talents came

and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

• Faithful in small things• Investing, actively participating, monitoring and

adjusting for acceptable results• Aware of and accountable to the Owner

3) Plan the expenses, then work the plan

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

Become an active GOOD STEWARD• Make your plans to include a margin for problems

and surprises– Whether time

• Are you always late because something came up?

– OR Safety• Buckle Up!!

– OR Finances• Did that bad transmission take you by surprise?• How will your bank account look if you miss 3 days work

because of the flu?

3) Plan the expenses, then work the plan

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";

James 4:13 (NKJ)

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

James 4:14 (NKJ)

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it

Luke 14:28 (NKJ)

lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

Luke 14:29 (NKJ)

"saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

Luke 14:30 (NKJ)

Keys to Financial Freedom:How to Get Ahead and Build Security

• Avoid debt • Don’t cosign loans• Kick bad habits

– Oversleeping– Laziness– Overeating– Escapes:

• Tobacco• Alcohol• Drug abuse—medical and illegal

• “Free” money

4) AVOID BIG TRAPS