Tag Archives: Matthew

Financial Freedom Principle #4: Be a good steward

There is a phrase most Christians want to hear some day. They want to hear this phrase when they arrive in heaven and stand before the Lord God. It is “Well done good and faithful servant.” Have you considered the fact that the only time we have these words recorded in Scripture, it is in the context of a man be commended for his stewardship. It is in Luke and in Matthew. Here is Matthew 25:14-30.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 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.’ 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.’

He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Here are some other references about stewardship: Genesis 39:4-6; Psalm 8:6; Hebrews 2:6-8.

Adding to all this we also see in 1 Corinthians 4:2, Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. A steward is a person who cares for the possessions of another. As we already know, we do not actually “own” anything. Everything we have in our stewardship belongs to Him. We are to be stewards of His possessions.

The evidence is overwhelming. God calls us to be good and faithful stewards of His possessions. When this principle is actively and consistently practiced, we are on the right path of financial freedom.

Financial Freedom Principle #2: Seek God not money

As we discovered in tip #1, it is easy to get our priorities confused. Money is a very important part of our culture and our way of life in the 21st century. Because of that, we can put too much focus on money. We need to seek God not money. The following verses are just a few of the many verses in the Bible that remind us of this principle from God’s perspective.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1Timothy 6:10)

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

He (Uzziah) sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. (2 Chronicles 26:5)

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

As we seek God, it is impossible to predict how He will prosper each person. It may be with wealth, long life, or greater opportunities for service just to name a few of the possibilities. The truth remains, however, we should seek God not money. That is the wise choice.

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Financial Freedom Principle #1: Have your priorities right

In this whole matter of financial freedom and desire to avoid financial bondage, the subject of priorities is the place to begin. Appropriate the following verses.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:31)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John 6:27)

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11:4)

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)

There is so much more to consider.  We are on the right path when our priorities are in the right order. Come back tomorrow for the next tip. Home

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Our Lord’s challenge here is to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking.  The promises are it will be given, we will find, and it will be opened to us. Don’t stop asking, seeking, and knocking. Be confident. He will answer according to His will or change you and the direction of your prayer.  If someone accuses you of “lack of faith” if you ask God for something more than once, reject that accusation. Remind yourself, and them if they will listen, of this promise from God’s Word.