God First

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Pro. 3:5-10)

The passage above gives us the remedy for success. It tell us if we trust God and make Him first with our finances, He would impart proper direction and wisdom for our ultimate success.

Putting God first helps to gives us a better perspective on life. We become better able to understand our role in the scheme of all things, as we see that God as our everything, our provider, our helper, our sustainer.

Here are five basic biblical principals for the proper understanding of handling the money that God has given us to be stewards over.

1. God is the owner of everything.
2. Our purpose in life is to glorify God.
3. The tithe is the minimum testimony of our Christian commitment.
4. Debt is bad.
5. Prosperity is having what you need when you need it.

God is the Owner

God's ownership is a concept that everyone gives lip service to, but few really understand and even fewer practice it. We hold to the notion that "it is mine." "God gave it to me." But what we fail to see that we are just steward, caretakers of what belongs to God.

The Bible contains numerous references to God's ownership. For example:

"The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof" (Psalm 50:10-12).

It all belongs to God. We are just stewards.