Free to Live, Free to Give

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Free to Live, Free to Give</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id536.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beating the Debt Habit"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id565.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Free to Live, Free to Give (cont.)"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"Freedom and Finances: Free to Live, Free to Give"</B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, July 30-31, 2005</B></div> <bR> <div>      “In their book <I>The Millionaire Next Door: the Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy</I>, the authors [Thomas Stanley and William Danko] followed self-made millionaires for many years to discover what it is about their lifestyles and money management styles that allowed them to amass large sums of money. What they discovered is fascinating. It's not that these folks make so much money. What sets them apart is their willingness to live simply, to drive used cars, to live in homes that are well beneath what they could qualify for – basically to live frugally, so they can put the difference between what they earn and what they spend to work for them” (Mary Hunt, <I>Debt-Proof Your Marriage</I>, p. 112).</div> <div>      Even with an average, basic income, you can achieve financial freedom and flexibility. It is a change in your behavior, not just your income, that will make the difference.</div> <div>      How can we achieve freedom and flexibility in our financial lives, according to God's word?</div> <div>      Here is where we have been so far. Take responsibility for your needs and your future. Be content, and live within your means. To get back on track, first evaluate your spending. Then plan your spending – every dollar, every month. Set aside $1000 for an starter emergency fund. Get intense about getting out of debt by using the debt snowball (everything except your house at this stage). And stay out of debt.</div> <div>      Then, set aside 3-6 months of living expenses as a larger emergency fund.  Then, put 15% of your income into retirement investments. Save for your kids' college. Pay off your home. Finally, build wealth using the financial margin you have wisely developed. (From Dave Ramsey, <I>The Total Money Makeover</I>, <A HREF="http://www.daveramsey.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.daveramsey.com"><U>daveramsey.com</U></A>.)</div> <div>      But there are three more key things you need to know to achieve financial freedom. Please turn to <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Tim+6:17-19" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>1 Timothy 6:17-19</U></A>. Here we find commands to the rich (those who have enough and more) in this present age.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Trust in God (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Tim+6:17" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>1 Timothy 6:17</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      The rich are describes as rich in this present age. Job 1:21 tells us that naked we came from the womb and naked we will depart this life. So while we are here, don't get arrogant about your wealth as though it is everything that matters. It is not.</div> <div>      Don't find security in money or stuff or Mastercard, find security in God. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 18:10-11 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall - <I>in his own imagination</I>.” It's wise to trust in God, and it is very foolish to trust in wealth.</div> <div>      Doesn't it seem that it is easier for those who are poor to trust in God (i.e., how is your prayer life when you down to your last bit of resources)? What are some reasons why those who have more than enough find it difficult to trust in God? Maybe it is because we so easily forget that these good things we possess came ultimately from God, not merely from our own hard work and labors.</div> <div>      God cares about us and our financial circumstances. He has promised that he would provide. But he has also given us clear, workable principles by which we can manage our finances. So trust him and make wise decisions.</div> <div>      Here is the basic principle: Trust in and worship God, who gives all things; don't trust in or worship the things he gives.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Be generous and rich in good deeds (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Tim+6:18-19" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>1 Timothy 6:18-19</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Giving is an investment in eternity (vs. 19). Not only that, giving is the anti-dote to the culture of greed and neediness and dependence. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Those who have been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”</div> <div>      Mary Hunt wrote, “Giving is the antidote for greed, selfishness, and attitudes of entitlement. It's like an antibiotic for a terrible disease. Giving is the purest form of gratitude because it is the tangible way we can say thanks. When we give back to God, we acknowledge that everything we have and all that we are come from him in the first place. When we give, we are acknowledging that while we cannot have it all, we do have enough” (<I>Debt-Proof Your Marriage</I>, p. 130).</div> <div>      (Continued next week.)</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2005, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>