Three ways of spending

Overspender –

too optimistic on how far money will go

prefer to be spontaneous or impulsive

euphoric, gleeful shopping trips followed by financial emergencies and chaos

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

Hoarder –

afraid of not having enough – worry

try to hang on to every penny

obsessed with finding best bargain on everything

Bargain-hunting and saving all money. Financial needs not met.

⁹ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money [friendship of silver] is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV)

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)

God’s rules for spending

Mark 12:13-17

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:17 (NIV)

Give the first to God

What is God’s?

The FIRST born

"Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal." Exodus 13:2 (NIV)

Christ is…

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18 (NIV)

Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, Exodus 4:22 (NIV)

From the beginning, God had a plan for all His people. His plan has been for us to:

be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29 (NIV)

The FIRST fruits

“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.” Exodus 23:19 (NIV)

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23 (NIV)

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 (NIV)

How much of our first fruits do we give?

God has given us a guideline: one tenth, or 10%.

"'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

The entire tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:32 (NIV)

"I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 18:21 (NIV)

"Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering. Numbers 18:26 (NIV)

²⁷ And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own. ²⁸ At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, ²⁹ so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 14:27-29 (NIV)

The tithe:

• Shows God’s ownership.
• Takes care of God’s work.
• Helps the poor (widows, orphans, resident aliens)

Pay your taxes

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1 (NIV)

God establishes them to protect us from people who do evil.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Romans 13:6 (NIV)

Takes care of government

Roads, public safety,

Expenditures

From Larry Burkett, Money Before Marriage

Take care of your needs

⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8 (NIV)

What do I need?

• Housing and Utilities
• Food
• Automobile(s)
• Medical expenses: doctor, dentist, meds
• Clothing
• Miscellaneous

Clean and neat body, clothing, house

Allowances, subscriptions, lunches, cash

• School / Child care

Tuition, materials, transportation, day care

• Alimony / Child support

Be trustworthy

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 (NIV)

• Debts

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)

• Insurance: life, medical
• Savings
• Entertainment & Recreation

Eating out. Activities / trips. Vacation.

• Gifts – birthday, anniversary, holidays
• Investments