FINANCIAL PEACE

Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Deuteronomy 28:12-13 – “The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. “

Romans 13:8a – “Owe no man anything except to love one another.”

On September 5, 2003, we made the decision to be a debt-free church. We owed $230,000 on the building and $80,000 in extra land we had purchased, for a total of $310,000.

On September 10, 2004, the $310,000 had been completely paid off. We were debt-free.

The coffee shop and children’s space were built over a four-year period for $1,112,174.09. It was built debt-free.

Why a debt-free church?

A. We were led by the Spirit through His Word.

B. We believed God wanted to show Himself strong in our finances.

C. We sensed that the Lord wanted us to model the possibility of living debt-free to the people of Joy.

D. We wanted to give more to advance the Kingdom and fulfill the Great Commission.

Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Mark 9:23 – “All things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 10:27 – “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”

1. WHY BUDGET?

Proverbs 21:20 (NIV) – “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”

A. Budget to reduce stress.

B. Budget for impact, now and later.

Proverbs 27:23-24 (NLT) – “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.”

C. Budget to remove emotion.

2. HOW TO BUDGET

Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

A. Have the heart of a steward.

1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

B. Review income and spending.

Resources:

Crown Financial Ministry (www.crown.org)

Dave Ramsey (www.RamseySolutions.com)

Online tools like ww.Mint.com or YNAP (www.YouNeedABudget.com)

www.GatewayPeople.com/Resources/Stewardship

C. Identify values and goals.

Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) – “Where there is no vision the people perish.”

D. Follow the plan.

Luke 16:11 (ESV) – “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you find yourself living in stress and worry about financial matters?

2. Does the thought of being debt-free seem impossible to you?

3. Why is it important to have a budget?

4. What does the practice of delayed gratification look like in your family?

5. What aspects of your family vision relate to money? (Develop a family vision, if necessary.)

6. Imagine you are looking for someone to manage a great treasure. Do you have the qualities you would look for?