BASIC Financial Planning
Financial Planning and Management from a Christian perspective.
1) The Purpose of Financial Planning.
A. Balancing present needs and future goals.
- Philippians 4: 11 – 13 amp 11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in challenging times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
B. Stewardship of God's resources.
- Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
- Genesis 2:15 - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
C. Preparing for unexpected events.
- John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
2) Biblical Principles of Financial Management.
BASICS not in order of importance.
Budgeting. Proverbs 21:5 amp the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, but everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.
Avoiding Debt. Proverbs amp 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Psalm 37:21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
Saving. Proverbs amp 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise (who prepare for the future), but a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
Investing. Proverbs amp 31:16 Proverbs 31:16: She considered a field and bought it: with the fruit of her hands, she planted a vineyard.
Charity Luke 6:38 amp Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (with no space left for more). For with the standard of measurement you use (when you do good for others), it will be measured to you in return.
Seed 1 Corinthians 3:6 - 9. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth. 7 So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. 8 He who plants, and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are God's fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God's cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God's building.
Where there is no seed, there is no hope for future life, the future is in your seed and what you do with it!