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“Managing Your Treasures”
Proverbs 21:1-20
Pastor Gerry Erffmeyer
Introduction: Why is it that although we have so much more today
than ever before, so many people are more unhappy than ever before?
Making a lot of money is no guarantee that you know how to manage
it. The bible says that the way you manage your money is a reflection of
your relationship to God.
Principle #1 – Earn an honest living: The Principle of Work.
-- II Thess 3:10 “If a man will not work, he should not eat.”
-- Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.”
Principle #2 – Plan your spending. The Principle of Budgeting.
-- Proverbs 27:23-24 “Be sure to know the condition of your
flocks, give careful attention to your herds…” Keep good records.
-- Simple Equation: Ignorance + Credit Cards = Disaster
-- If you don’t know where you’re headed, your headed for trouble.
-- Four things you need to know:
- What I own (Those are your assets.)
- What I owe (Those are your liabilities or debts.)
- What I earn.
- Where it is going.
-- Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
-- Without a plan, your yearnings will always exceed your earnings,
and you’ll always be in debt.
-- The average American spends six hours a week shopping.
Advertising encourages impulse buying. The word we cannot resist: SALE:
“Look how much I’m saving.” Proverbs 21:20: “In the
house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man
devours all he has.”
-- How do you spell relief? ”B-U-D-G-E-T” Plan ahead.
Principle #3 – Save for the Future. The Principle of Investing.
-- See vs 20. The Japanese save 25%. Europeans save 17%.
Americans save 5% of their income.
-- Proverbs 6:6-8: The ant stores for the future.
-- Proverbs 22:7: “The borrower is servant to the lender.”
Principle #4 – Return 10% to God. The Principle of Tithing.
-- See Malachi 3:10-12. Why tithe?
- It says: “I thank God for my past blessings.”
- It says: “I put God first in the present.”
- It says: “I trust God for my future.”
-- See Proverbs 3:9,10: “Honor the Lord with your first fruits…”
Principle #5 – Enjoy what you have. The Principle of Contentment.
--Phil 4:11 – “I have learned to be content.”
--Heb 3:15 – “Be content with what you have.”
“Managing Your Treasures”
Proverbs 21:1-20
Pastor Gerry Erffmeyer
Orland Park Church
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