More Month Than Money? From the Blues to Good News. Pt.1

I owe.  I owe.  It’s off to work I go.

It’s a cute little rhyme and it makes us chuckle because many of us can identify with it; but, at the root of that comment lies a sad truth…someone continues to spend more than he or she makes.  At the end of each month, do you find yourself with more month than money?  If you are in that proverbial “Financial Blues” boat, let’s consider one important measure God uses to transfer you from the blues to good news.

The brutal truth surrounding money problems generally centers around “user error”!  In 1 Timothy 6:10 God says that the love of money is the root of all evil…not money, itself.  Often times we can be easily controlled by what we love because we fear the loss of that “loved item” – even if it is money.  We do whatever it takes to avoid feeling the pain of loss.

Yes, we need money to live in this world and Jesus knew that.  He set a proper example by following the laws of His day, concerning money, when in Mark 12:17 he instructed his disciples to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”.  (Jesus paid the tax.)  He did not consider Himself more important than the laws of the land in which He lived. He does not want us to be money’s servant…it is a merciless master  causing unending stress and heartache.

God’s most important first step for getting us out of a money problem is to tithe.  That is an old testament term and simply means to give back to God 10% of the money that He allows to come to you.  “WHAT?”, you say, “I have bills to pay and I’m giving up money?”  Often times 10% looks like an enormous amount of money, but compare 10% to 90% .  You get to keep 90% or $9 out of every $10 or $90 out of every $100!  The goal of this directive from God is simple:  if YOU are in control of your money versus it being in control of you, LET GO of 10% of it.  If you can’t let go of just 10% and then trust God, it is time to do some deep appraisals of your relationship with money and God.

Now, you may be asking, “What’s in it for me?” Plenty, my friend, plenty.  Malachi 3:10-11 gives us a glimpse of this win/win scenario.   If you can manage to give God 10% of your increase, God promises, promises, to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you – to the point of overflow!  I don’t know about you, but I am thankful for that perk and  have seen it transpire in my life.  Believe God when He promises.  Look for it!

Check back next Tuesday for part two of More Month Than Money?  From the Blues to Good News.  to get some additional “next steps” you can apply to take control of your money and thereby switch from those blues to good news.