Finding Your Financial PathA 28-DAY READING GUIDE

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 9

DAY 10

DAY 11

DAY 12

DAY 13

DAY 14

Following Jesus is Radical 2

Everything Belongs to Jesus 3

It’s Not About Me 4

Jesus Says We Should Give 5

God Doesn’t Need Our Money 6

Money Doesn’t Save Us. Jesus Does. 7

Jesus Alone Satisfies Our Souls 8

Everyone Can Afford to Tithe 9

Mind Over Matter 10

We All Need Help Sometimes 11

Know Where Your Money Goes 12

Distinguishing Wants from Needs 13

You Can’t Love Both God and Money 14

God Wants Us to Be Debt-free 15

Table of Contents

DAY 15

DAY 16

DAY 17

DAY 18

DAY 19

DAY 20

DAY 21

DAY 22

DAY 23

DAY 24

DAY 25

DAY 26

DAY 27

DAY 28

Debt is a Choice 16

Saving to Serve 17

Better Planning Leads to Better Choices 18

Fund Your Future 19

Giving Generously 20

Hard Work Pays Off 21

Faithfulness Now Increases Responsibility Later 22

True Joy 23

Giving is More Fun Than Receiving 24

Give Your Best 25

What Can Destroy You? 26

God Never Fails 27

Work With Purpose 28

Whatever It Takes 29

MATTHEW 9:9-13 • MATTHEW 19:16-26

Throughout the Bible, Jesus asked people to follow Him using the simple phrase, “Come, follow me.” This was a radical invitation. Following Jesus meant giving up everything you owned and leaving it behind to embrace the unknown.

In Matthew 9, Jesus meets a tax collector named Matthew. As a tax collector, Matthew’s life was all about money. Yet when Jesus called Matthew, Matthew sold all he had and followed Jesus. As a result of Matthew’s faith, he became one of Jesus’ closest friends. Matthew walked with Jesus daily, seeing miracles performed and lives changed.

In Matthew 19, a rich man comes to Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” Jesus gave the rich man the same invitation as Matthew, but the rich man went away sad because he wasn’t willing to trade his life for the life God had planned for him.

Jesus gives us the same radical invitation He gave to His disciples. He calls us to submit every aspect of our lives, including our finances, to God. Will you trust Him enough to follow?

THINK ABOUT:

1. Have you ever made the decision to follow Jesus?2. What area of your finances is God calling you to surrender?3. What is one way you can follow God’s will for your life today?

PRAY:

Dear Jesus, give me the courage to follow You wherever You lead.

DAY 1Following Jesus is Radical

2

MATTHEW 25:14-30 • PSALM 24:1

When we work hard for something, we feel a sense of ownership over it. Whether we’re working for a paycheck or raising kids at home, we see the results of our hard work as ours. But the truth is that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. We don’t own anything—not our houses, our cars, or our 401Ks. Everything we have is a blessing from God, and what we do with it matters to Him.

Because our money belongs to God, we have a responsibility to manage it well. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of a master who gave money to several servants. One servant did a bad job managing what he was given, so God took His money from that servant and gave it to another who had been diligent. God trusts us to manage what we are given. When we prove ourselves trustworthy with what God has given us, He can trust us with more!

THINK ABOUT:

1. Have you ever thought about the fact that everything you have belongs to the Lord? How does that change the way you make financial decisions?2. If God were to look at your finances today, would He see you as a faithful manager? Why or why not?3. What one thing can you do today to be a better manager of whatever God has given you?

PRAY:

Jesus, everything I have is Yours and everything I am I owe to You. Help me to be a good steward of what You have given me.

DAY 2Everything Belongs to Jesus

3

1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-2 • GALATIANS 4:1-7

In ancient Middle Eastern culture, servants were a common part of the household. Servants were treated like employees, but sometimes, if the master was kind, the servants would be treated like privileged members of the family.

No matter what kind of relationship servants and masters had, one thing stayed the same: the servant was always responsible to the master. The master wanted certain tasks accomplished, and it was the servant’s job to get it done. Before we met Jesus, we were slaves to sin. Jesus saved us through His death and resurrection. We are no longer slaves to sin, but through Jesus, we are servants of God.

God welcomes us into His family and gives us His inheritance. This means we get to be a part of His kingdom, helping Him make things right in the world the way things are right in heaven. God calls us to be faithful stewards of what He’s given to us. He is our good Master. It’s not our job to question the Master’s plans or to tell the Master what we will or won’t do. Our role is to obey the master and joyfully do the work He’s given us.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Do you think of yourself as God’s servant? Why or why not?2. When it comes to money, who’s the boss of your bank account? How can you put God in charge of your spending this month?3. What three changes can you make this week to be a more faithful servant?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to join God’s family. Help me to trust You as my Master. Help me to be a good steward of what You have given me.

DAY 3It’s Not About Me

4

MALACHI 3:1-10 • MATTHEW 23:23

God cares how we manage everything that He’s given to us. If God didn’t care, the Bible wouldn’t have more than 2,000 verses about money and money management.

When it comes to honoring God with our money, the first step for every Christian is to tithe. Tithing is bringing the first 10 percent of your income back to God through the local church. When we bring back a percentage of our income in the tithe, we thank God, show that we trust Him, and fight against greed by putting God first in our finances.

Not only is tithing important to God, it is an essential part of money management. Many have believed the lie, “I can’t afford to tithe.” The truth is everyone can afford to tithe. God promises to provide for our every need and asks us to trust Him with what He’s already given to us.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Are you tithing? Why or why not?2. What does it say about God that He owns everything, but only wants us to return 10 percent?3. Who are you trusting to provide for your family? What would it look like to trust God to provide?

PRAY:

Dear Jesus, give me courage to always put You first in my finances. Thank You for giving generously to me even though I don’t deserve it.

DAY 4Jesus Says We Should Give

5

GENESIS 4

What’s the most awkward gift-giving experience you’ve ever seen? Maybe you or someone you know got busted re-gifting. Or, the gift wasn’t something the person wanted at all. When it comes to giving gifts, the point is not the gift itself. The point is the heart of the giver.

In Genesis 4, we meet two brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain begrudgingly gave the leftovers from his harvest, but Abel gave God the most valuable animals in his flock. Abel’s gift came from a love and a desire to please God. Cain’s did not.

God gave Cain a chance to change his heart and warned him of the sin waiting to overcome him, but instead Cain grew angry and allowed jealousy to consume him. Cain murdered Abel, which led to him being condemned from God’s presence.

Giving is a heart issue. God doesn’t want us to give to Him so we can check off a task. He also doesn’t want us to give less than our best. God wants us to give from a faithful heart that desires to please Him. God doesn’t need our gift; He wants our heart.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Are you giving to a local church? Why or why not?2. What is your motivation for giving?3. Do your reasons for giving reflect a heart that loves God? If yes, how so? If not, what needs to change?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for caring more about the condition of my heart than the size of my gift.

DAY 5God Doesn’t Need Our Money

6

JOHN 6:1-14

Faith—no matter how small—is a powerful thing. In the book of John, one of Jesus’ followers, John, describes a time when Jesus got so fired up that He preached and taught well into the evening. People started to get hungry, so His followers asked Jesus if He could wrap it up and send the crowd home for dinner. Instead, Jesus told His followers to find food. The best they could do was a little boy’s lunch. That day, Jesus fed more than 5,000 people using five loaves of bread and two small fish.

Talk about a miracle! Because one little boy had enough faith to give all that he had, thousands of people were fed “as much as they wanted” (John 6:11). The boy not only got back more than what he gave, he was able to share with thousands because there was so much. God doesn’t ask us to give because He needs what we have. God wants us to give because we need what He has. Your faith in giving has a bigger impact than you could ever imagine. When we decide to step up and give, God will use our faith to do miracles.

THINK ABOUT:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your faith in God’s ability to provide? Why did you chose the number you selected?2. When was the last time you witnessed a miracle? What happened that day? How did it change your faith?3. Every miracle starts with a step of faith. What miracle are you asking God for in your finances? What step of faith do you need to take?

PRAY:

Jesus, when You saved me, You brought me from death to life. I am a walking miracle! Increase my faith as I learn to trust You with every area of my life, not just my salvation.

DAY 6Money Doesn’t Save Us. Jesus Does.

7

LUKE 19:1-10

We’ve all heard the phrase, “climbing the ladder of success.” Maybe you’re climbing the corporate ladder in search of that next big promotion. Maybe you’re climbing a social ladder, eager to gain the approval of the “it” crowd. We can all relate to how it feels to strive toward a goal. But what happens when there’s nowhere else to climb?

Zacchaeus was a man who had reached the pinnacle of his career. He was the chief tax collector, and as such, he had wealth and power. It would seem Zacchaeus had it all, but he wasn’t happy. So when Jesus, a man rumored of healing people and changing hearts, came to Zacchaeus’ hometown, Zacchaeus was so eager to see Him that he climbed a tree.

Jesus, seeing Zacchaeus’ eagerness, called him down from the tree and went to his house. There, Zacchaeus’ life changed. When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he finally understood that it was Jesus, not money, that saved him. It was Jesus, not money, that satisfied him. It was Jesus, not money, that would bring him true success. When we surrender to Jesus and accept Him as our personal Savior, our hearts aren’t the only things that are changed. Heart change leaks into every area of our lives, even our finances, as we begin to seek Jesus instead of the next best thing.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Who do you picture when you think of someone who “has it all”? What do you admire about that person?2. Has your definition of “having it all” changed since you met Jesus? Why or why not?3. What would you do for God if money was not an issue? What step can you take today to be obedient to what God has called you to?

PRAY:

Jesus, forgive me for being tempted to think that more stuff will make me happy. You alone are what satisfies my soul!

DAY 7Jesus Alone Satisfies Our Souls

8

LUKE 12:13-21

A wealthy man in the Bible faced a problem many people would love to have: What do you do when you have more stuff than space to store it? The man had a phenomenal crop, more than he or his family could possibly use. But where would he keep all the excess? This rich man decided the perfect solution was to build bigger barns to safeguard his wealth. In an instant, the man’s seemingly unshakable empire came crashing down, with a reprimand from God: “You fool. This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself ? This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20). Here was a man who was filled with abundance, but as greedy as they come. It was because of his greed that this man met his death. You see, robbing God—the giver of life—will only end in robbing ourselves of true life. We all want to be prepared for the future, but how do you balance wise saving with generosity?

THINK ABOUT:

1. What is one way to know when you’re being greedy?2. How does generosity safeguard us against greed?3. What can you give away today?

PRAY:

Jesus, You have given me so much! Protect my heart from greed and show me how I can be generous today.

DAY 8Everyone Can Afford to Tithe

9

MARK 12:41-44

On the old TV show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” host Robin Leach toured mansions and yachts, giving an inside look at the lives of the extravagently rich. Compared to multi-millionaires, our earnings seem miniscule. But God is not impressed by our account balances. He is obsessed with the condition of our hearts.

Mark 12 tells the story of a broke widow who went to the temple to worship. Wealthy people walked by the treasury, dropping in huge sums of money. But when the poor widow put in her gift, all she had to give were two copper coins. The value was barely half a cent.

When Jesus saw the widow’s offering, He told His disciples that she gave more than all the others. The rich gave out of their abundance, but she put in everything she had. She gave it all, trusting God to meet her needs.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Are you giving out of abundance or giving sacrificially?2. What is your next step when it comes to giving?3. Comparing our gifts to others’ gifts almost always ends in competition. Have you ever been caught in the comparison trap? What did you learn from that experience?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for being more concerned with the state of my heart than the size of my gift. Help me to grow more generous like You.

DAY 9Mind Over Matter

10

PROVERBS 11:2 • PROVERBS 16:18 • PROVERBS 15:22

In the process of growing up, we learn to cross a street safely and avoid electrical shocks. Life would be painful without those basic skills. The ability to manage money is a skill few people grow up learning, but money management is just as vital to a happy life.

Maybe no one ever took the time to teach you personal finance. Or maybe no one you know is good with money. Not understanding money isn’t something to feel guilty about or be ashamed of. Asking for help is an opportunity to learn new skills that can change the rest of your life.

The Bible calls those who don’t seek trustworthy advice fools. The person who doesn’t want input cares more about appearing smart than being smart. Admitting we need help might seem risky and it might require us to swallow our pride, but the best things in life require us to step up and step out in faith. God has given us all unique gifts and talents to encourage each other. Will you allow trustworthy people to help you along the way?

THINK ABOUT:

1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? How did applying that wisdom change your life for the better?2. What’s keeping you from seeking advice about your finances?

PRAY:

Dear Jesus, give me the courage to ask for help when I need it.

DAY 10We All Need Help Sometimes

11

1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-5

Paul, an apostle and church planter, was considered one of the great leaders of his time. But as Paul addressed a new church in the city of Corinth, he told the members to look at him as a servant, not a leader. Why did Paul want the church to know he was a servant?

When we realize we are servants, we willingly give God control of every area of our lives—even our finances. Just like we want a financial planner to manage our money well, God wants us to manage His money well. Being a good money manager means being cautious and aware of spending habits.

A budget is a tool to help us manage our money. Budgets show us how much money is coming in and where it’s going. Budgets hold us accountable so we save for the things we need instead of only buying the things we want. Many people hear the word “budget” and cringe. But “budget” is not a bad word. Budgets are essential for great money management. THINK ABOUT:

1. Do you know where your money goes each month? What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to keeping up with your spending?2. Do you have a budget? Why or why not? 3. What step can you take this week to be a better money manager? PRAY:

Jesus, You have entrusted me with so much. Help me to manage Your money well.

DAY 11Know Where Your Money Goes

12

PHILIPPIANS 4:15-19 • 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10

Most of the time, what we want isn’t what we need. And if we’re honest, we’ve been given far more than we actually need. We need food, clothing, and shelter. We want everything else. So how do we find joy when we can’t get what we want? Contentment is contingent on our attitudes, not our bank statements. If we’re always looking to make more money, gain more resources, and acquire more wealth for ourselves, we’re not using money how God designed it to be used.

Money is a tool to provide for our needs, to provide for the needs of others, and an opportunity to give back to God as an act of worship. By giving to God, we’re declaring that we don’t find our satisfaction in money, but in Jesus. Jesus is the one who provides for us. Loving money more than God leads to pain, letdown, and sin. But when we trust God will provide for our needs, we can find our contentment in Him.

Money will run out, but God is a generous giver who is with us through everything, no matter what. He provides for us, above and beyond what we expect. When we trust and obey Him with our money and our lives, we receive His rich love and the transformation it creates in us. THINK ABOUT:

1. What are two things you want but don’t really need? Will you trust God to provide them for you (or to know better that you don’t need them)?2. On a scale of 1 - 10, how content are you? Why?3. Discontentment begins when we believe God doesn’t have our best interests at heart. What are three ways God has been faithful to you this month? PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for always knowing what is best for me and others. Help me to be content in You and You alone.

DAY 12Distinguishing Wants from Needs

13

LUKE 6:1-15

We take in millions of messages every day. Advertisements use clever slogans, pretty people, and cute animals to entice us with whatever they are trying to sell, whether it’s burgers or cars. Want to look powerful? Drive a powerful car. Want to attract beautiful women? Wear designer cologne.

When we let advertisements convince us that our possessions define us, we give greed a foothold that will only lead to destruction. What defines us will sustain us. Popularity fades and fads change. Material items will never be enough to fulfill us forever.

Only God’s love lasts forever and never changes. When we let Him define our lives instead of the next best thing, we will be sustained forever. THINK ABOUT:

1. Who’s influencing your spending decisions more: the Bible or advertisements? Why?2. How can you let God define your finances today? PRAY:

Dear Jesus, help me to be content with what I have. Show me how to filter the messages I hear each day and remain focused on You.

DAY 13You Can’t Love Both God and Money

14

PROVERBS 22:7 • ROMANS 13:7-10

Debt is not God’s best for our lives, because it prevents us from being able to do what He’s called us to do. If God called you to move to another city, cut your hours at work, or give extravagantly to someone in need, could you do it right now?

Whatever we’re controlled by is what we’re enslaved to. When we’re in debt, we belong to those who lend us money. The more debt we take on, the fewer options we give ourselves when it comes to where we work and how we spend our time. Instead of making decisions based on what we want to do, we find ourselves thinking about what we have to do.

Debt will always leave us feeling stuck, and Jesus wants so much more for our lives. When Jesus died for our sins, He paid the ultimate debt, a debt we could never afford to pay. Jesus died to give us freedom from sin and an abundant life. That’s why Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome to pay off whatever they owed, whether it was money or an apology. When the only debt we’re concerned with is how to love the people around us, we’ll do more for God than we ever imagined (Romans 13:7–8).

THINK ABOUT:

1. What could you do for God if you were debt free?2. What debts do you owe to those around you? What step can you take this week to start paying off those debts and living in freedom?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for giving me the ability to live in freedom. Help me as I aim to serve You and You alone.

DAY 14God Wants Us to Be Debt-free

15

GALATIANS 5:1-14

Retail therapy is much like it sounds—shopping to improve mood or disposition. The world tells us we deserve nice things regardless of whether we can afford them. With no money down, you can finance a car, charge a vacation or buy a bedroom suite. It is easy to get caught up in buying new things to make ourselves feel better, maxing out credit cards along the way. When the pressure to pay the bills becomes overwhelming, we buy something new to cheer us up. It can quickly become a vicious cycle.

As followers of Jesus, we can be free of the burden of debt. Jesus died to free us from all forms of slavery, credit card companies included. Living in financial imprisonment is a choice. It’s a choice to give in to the temporary satisfaction of spending instead of the lasting contentment that comes from following Jesus. In Galatians 5:1, the apostle Paul tells the church of Galatia to stand firm and to not be burdened again by slavery. This verse still applies to us today. God wants more for us than financial stress and a pile of bills. Jesus died and rose for us to live in freedom, including freedom from debt. THINK ABOUT:

1. How have your financial burdens made you feel enslaved?2. What do you wish you had the financial freedom to do?3. What steps can you take to get there? PRAY:

Dear Jesus, You alone can fulfill the longings of my heart. Give me the courage to live in freedom instead of going back to old vices.

DAY 15Debt is a Choice

16

LUKE 10:25-37

Luke 10 tells the story of a Jewish man who is mugged and left for dead on the side of the road. Several people passed him. Then a Samaritan man came along. The Samaritan was the only one who came to the Jewish man’s rescue. The Samaritan used the supplies he had on him–oil, wine, and two days wages–to help the wounded man recover.

The Samaritan was ready to bless others because he hadn’t spent what he had unwisely. The Samaritan took the man to an inn and gave the innkeeper two silver coins to cover the cost of the man’s care. He also pledged to reimburse the innkeeper if the wounded man’s expenses added up to more. The Samaritan was prepared to be generous and God blessed someone through that. It’s difficult to help others financially if we aren’t stewarding our own finances well. When we choose to save our money instead of spending all of it, we are equipped with tools to help others. THINK ABOUT:

1. What could you do for God if money was not an issue?2. Would you be able to give financially to someone who needs help?3. How can you start saving today? PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for all the ways you provide for me. Help me to better manage the money You’ve entrusted to me, so I can do whatever You call me to do.

DAY 16Saving to Serve

17

PROVERBS 6:6-8 • PROVERBS 21:20

We all know people who are impulsive spenders. As soon as a paycheck comes in, they’re out the door to spend everything they’ve earned. It’s easy to get stuck in the same paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle without any thought of the future.

Money can be used to make purchases, pay bills, and put food on the table. But when we’re spending everything as soon as we get it, we’re failing to responsibly steward what God has given us. Part of being a faithful steward of God’s money involves how we’re saving, not just how we’re spending.

Saving is about planning for the future. Saving will enable you to support yourself and your family if you lose your job or have an emergency. Saving also provides us the freedom to do whatever God calls us to do. Every time we get income, we should first set aside a portion to bring back to God, then plan to save. When we spend each paycheck with no money set aside, we’re enslaving ourselves to our circumstances. THINK ABOUT:

1. What are three examples of ways you spend money impulsively?2. How can you start saving so you can be prepared for what God has planned for you? PRAY:

Jesus, help me to exercise self-control in spending so I can be a wise steward of Your money.

DAY 17Better Planning Leads to Better Choices

18

PROVERBS 13:8-11 • JEREMIAH 29:11

Most Americans are not financially prepared for their future. Studies show that as many as 90 percent of us are not on track to be able to comfortably retire. Too many people have bought into the lie that one day when we have more money we can start planning for the future. That kind of thinking is what ensures retirement never comes.

Setting aside $50 one time won’t change your financial future. However, setting aside a little bit of money consistently over a long period of time will build great rewards for the future. There’s no amount too small to start saving and no better time than now.

You may not be a millionaire or stock broker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start saving. Daily diligence with what you have can lead to long-term benefit. Jesus has an incredible future planned for us, and when we save what we’ve been given, we free ourselves to act on what God wants to bring us in the future. THINK ABOUT:

1. What three words would you use to describe your feelings about your financial future?2. Saving doesn’t have to mean setting aside large sums of money each month. What one thing can you change to start saving today?3. How have you seen diligence pay off in other areas of your life? Why would the outcome be any different when it comes to money? PRAY:

Jesus, give me the wisdom and strength to plan for my future. Help me to trust You.

DAY 18Fund Your Future

19

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 • LUKE 12:42-48

Most Americans don’t consider themselves rich. But if you live in the United States, you are among the wealthiest people in the world. We’ve been blessed with money and resources, and we are responsible for what God has given us. God commands us to bring 10 percent of our income back to the church in the tithe. But what about the rest of our income? Just because God gives us freedom to spend 90 percent of His money doesn’t mean there are not consequences for how it’s used. God cares about the 90 percent because He cares about you.

God wants us to enjoy our money. But He doesn’t want us to put our hope in it or be enslaved to it. Either way, money is a bad master who leaves us wanting. By honoring God with everything, not just the tithe, we protect ourselves from the temptation of making money our god. For some of us, honoring God with everything means giving more generously. What we don’t have can’t own us. For some of us, the next step is learning to save. Saving breaks the debt cycle so we can start asking “What does God want me to do?” instead of “What do I have to do?” Wealth is one of many ways Jesus blesses us with more than we deserve. There’s nothing wrong with taking pleasure in the abundance God gives us, as long as we don’t start worshiping the gift instead of the Giver. THINK ABOUT:

1. Do you see yourself as rich? Why or why not?2. Are you using your other 90 percent responsibly? In what way do you need to change how you are stewarding your finances to be more faithful to Jesus?3. Do you need help creating a plan for the remaining 90 percent? PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for making me rich in many ways! Show me how to honor You with all of my money, not just the tithe.

DAY 19Giving Generously

20

PROVERBS 14:23 – PROVERBS 10:4 • PROVERBS 6:9-11

Big goals require focus, sacrifice, and a lot of hard work. You have to want the outcome with a passion, saying “no” to other things that are competing for your time.

Breaking big goals into daily activities will help you achieve them. It’s hard to say no to dinner with friends or to wait until the sweater you want goes on sale. But you have to be willing to make changes to see success over the long haul. One less dinner out a month for 12 months could be the difference between going into debt for a new dryer or being able to buy it outright.

We cannot expect to see our lives change or experience freedom if all we do is talk about what we can do better. We all have a next step when it comes to our finances, and we have to take action if we want to see things change.

We all have the ability to manage money like amateurs or like professionals. The difference comes from practice and perseverance in making wise choices and following biblical principles. As Solomon put so wisely, “hard work always pays off” (Proverbs 14:23).

THINK ABOUT:

1. What is one thing you worked hard to earn? What did you learn about perseverance during that experience?2. Have you ever started budgeting and stopped? What caused you to stop and how can you prevent that from happening again?

PRAY:

Jesus, help me to keep going even when budgeting is hard and saving is not fun. Give me a passion for managing money in a way that honors You.

DAY 20Hard Work Pays Off

21

MATTHEW 24:36-51

A good financial planner doesn’t keep the money he receives from his clients. He invests it wisely so he can present his clients with more than they had before. In the same way, we’re responsible to invest what God has given us.

When Jesus left the earth, He put each of us in charge of a portion of His resources. Jesus is coming back, and in Matthew 24, Jesus compares His return with a master who left his servants in charge of his household. Like the master in the story, Jesus will hold us accountable for what we’ve been given. God wants His wealth to be used to make the most impact before Jesus comes back. If a financial planner pockets his clients’ money, he won’t be in business for long. The same is true for us. When we are faithful with a little, it shows we can be faithful with a lot.

THINK ABOUT:

1. If you were your own financial planner, would you fire yourself ? Why or why not?2. How have you been faithful with what you’ve been given?3. What are three ways you can begin to be faithful with what you’ve been given?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for trusting me with Your wealth. Show me how You want me to invest it so You get the most glory.

DAY 21Faithfulness Now Increases Responsibility Later

22

PSALM 37:21-22 • 1 PETER 4:9-11

Having more money is not the answer to a happy life. It may seem that money can solve it all and if you just had a better job or a bigger wallet, you’d have a better life. However, joy is not found in the size of our bank accounts. Psalm 37 says the wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.

The key to living in freedom is realizing it’s not all about you. God is the only one with the power to provide and you are responsible not for gaining something bigger or better, but managing well what you’ve been given already. The best way to start following God with your finances is to follow His example and start living a generous life.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Look at your checking account. Where do you spend most of your time and money? What do your spending habits say you love most?2. Psalm 37 says that someone who is righteous is also generous. Who do you know that you would describe as righteous? What do you admire about that person?3. Through Jesus, we all have the ability to live righteously. What step can you take today to be more generous?

PRAY:

Jesus, everything I have, including my wealth, is a gift from You. Help me to use it well so I might honor You in every area of my life.

DAY 22True Joy

23

2 CORINTHIANS 9:1-15

Have you ever been so excited about finding the perfect present that you couldn’t wait to give it? Maybe it was the engagement ring that felt like it was burning a hole in your pocket. Maybe it was the toy you couldn’t wait for your child to discover under the tree on Christmas morning.

Whatever the perfect gift was, you got excited because you loved the recipient and you knew the gift would make him or her happy.

The reasons we enjoy giving to our loved ones are the same reasons we enjoy giving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

If you want to get excited about giving, get to know Jesus. As we get to know Him, we grow in love for Him. Instead of giving on a whim or because we feel like we have to, we find ourselves thinking about what would make God happy. And when we picture His excited response, we become giddy about giving our gift.

THINK ABOUT:

1. When was the last time you were excited to give someone a present? What did you look forward to most about that experience?2. Do you think giving is better than receiving? Why or why not?3. What is the next step God has called you to take in giving?

PRAY:

Jesus, You gave me the ultimate gift—the gift of salvation! May the gratitude that I have for that gift overflow into every area of my life.

DAY 23Giving is More Fun Than Receiving

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MARK 14:1-9

Mark, one of Jesus’ followers, told the story of a woman who broke a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. This wasn’t just any department store perfume. It was worth more than a year’s wages! Jesus saw the extravagance of her gift and called it “a beautiful thing.” However, others in the room didn’t think her actions were beautiful. Bewildered, they complained that her perfume should have been sold so the money could be given to the poor.

When we take God at His word and give Him our best, people are going to think we’re crazy. When we save diligently then give that money away, people are going to think we’re crazy. The question we all have to answer is which voice we will listen to. Are we willing to follow the Bible’s commands and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, even if we might seem a little crazy?

Like the woman in Mark’s story, we don’t have to fear giving big because Jesus gives extravagantly for us. By dying on the cross for our sins and rising again, Jesus has already blessed us beyond all we could have imagined. Why would we not feel the freedom to give generously in return?

THINK ABOUT:

1. What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever received? How did you respond to such generosity?2. The woman in Mark 14 is a great example of how gratitude leads to generosity. What are you thankful for today?3. How can you give generously to someone today?

PRAY:

Jesus, You have already given me the most extravagant gift. Your death on the cross paid a debt I could never pay. Thank You for giving generously to me, and help me to give generously to others.

DAY 24Give Your Best

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MARK 4:18-20

In Mark 4, Jesus spoke about the obstacles that a farmer faces when planting his crop. Occasionally, the seed will start growing and appear to be healthy, but then weeds grow up alongside the seed and kill the harvest. There was nothing wrong with the seed the farmer planted. It was healthy, sturdy and strong, but it still encountered a problem. Like the seed, we also encounter weeds that make our lives unfruitful: worry, greed, and envy. Jesus warned the crowd that some will hear His message and believe, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things will come in and choke the message from them (Mark 4:19).

When these three areas affect our walk with God and our faith in Him, they will choke out God’s words, making it unfruitful in our lives. Becoming preoccupied with worry, wealth, and what others have causes us to miss the true meaning of life. Wealth is a tool to meet needs and help others. When we use it for this purpose, we will see a great harvest of miracles in our lives.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Where do you go for financial advice? What role does the Bible play in your financial decisions?2. Do you remember the worst financial decision you ever made? What influenced that decision?3. How can you protect yourself against weeds such as worry, greed, and envy?

PRAY:

Jesus, forgive me for allowing worry, greed, and envy to influence my financial decisions. You have a plan for every area of my life, including my money, and Your plan is always best! Help me to follow You more every day.

DAY 25What Can Destroy You?

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HEBREWS 13:5-6 • ECCLESIASTES 5:10

When we love something, we do anything for it. The love of money will lead people to make foolish decisions, because we will do anything to have more. Regardless of how new our phones are, how big our homes get, or how many designer labels we have in the closet, we will never be satisfied. And when we feel dissatisfied with what we have, we do things like take out a loan for a new car when we have one that runs just fine. We make unwise investments, because we are promised a too-good-to-be-true return. The Bible tells the story of an Israelite boy named Moses that was rescued from death and raised by the daughter of the Pharaoh. He was born into poverty and adopted into royalty of the highest extent. Moses could have chosen an easy life of royalty, but he loved God more than he loved money. While he grew up in a palace, Moses traded a life of luxury to follow God’s call on his life and lead the nation of Israel on a 40-year trek through the desert. It was not a glamorous life, but Hebrews 11:26 says, “(Moses) thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.” Money will never satisfy us the way the love of Jesus does. New stuff gets old. But God never fails us, never abandons us.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Are you content with what you have or are you constantly looking to upgrade? Why?2. Do you love God more than you love money? If He asked you to give up everything you owned, would His love be enough?

PRAY:

Jesus, Your love is more satisfying than any possessions. Help me to be content with what I have and to put our relationship first.

DAY 26God Never Fails

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COLOSSIANS 3:12-24

We each have work to do. Everything we do—from the way we work to how we talk—is an act of worship to God. One of the reasons we work is to experience happiness in God (Ecclesiastes 3:22). When we exert energy to complete a task, there is joy from accomplishing something. God is the source of all work; our meaning is found in Him, no matter what work we’re doing. Work also gives us the financial means to meet our needs, help others, and worship Jesus. By working toward something and earning a living, we are building a life of freedom. God wants to do work in you, not just make you accomplish tasks. Perhaps you’re in a difficult job with challenging coworkers and impossible tasks. It may be a chance for you to grow in faithfulness, dedication, and overcoming conflicts. When we work, our character is built and we’re better equipped to do more work God calls us to in the future (whether it’s in a career, serving with church, or anything else). Ultimately, our jobs are about stewardship. We’ve been given great opportunities to use our minds, bodies, creativity, and attitudes that God has allotted for us. Be responsible and grateful for the resources and abilities you have. Work because you’ve received a task from Jesus, not just for a paycheck.

THINK ABOUT:

1. Does your work ethic point people toward or away from Jesus? Why or why not?2. How are you managing your earnings from work and your responsibilities at work?3. How can you practice being content in your work but staying hungry for God?

PRAY:

Jesus, thank You for my job. It is a gift from You! Help me to use the resources and influence You’ve given me wisely.

DAY 27Work With Purpose

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LUKE 10:38-42 • ECCLESIASTES 3:1-14

There is always work to be done, but there are different “jobs” to do. It’s our job to provide for our families and love the people in our lives. We should do the work of our careers as well as the work of serving others. God calls us to be people who live out a “whatever it takes” mindset. Because Jesus did whatever it took to save us from our sins and give us new life, we can follow His example by being responsible, including how we use finances. We should do whatever it takes (short of sin) to be responsible financially, because debt is slavery. In the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha, there are two different jobs; one is displayed by Martha, who worked to prepare food for Jesus. And Mary fulfilled the role of hostess by making Jesus feel welcome. Unfortunately, Martha’s work in the kitchen distracted her from Jesus. Mary did whatever it took to value Jesus above everything else. If Martha sat at Jesus’ feet, they wouldn’t have had dinner. There are some “Martha” seasons of our lives when we need to hustle and work hard to make ends meet. But we also have some “Mary” seasons when we need to learn to rest in what God provides. The key is to listen to God’s Spirit for when to do which. This is how you can do whatever it takes to be faithful to Jesus, with your life and your finances: whatever “job” God has called you to, listen to Him and do the best work you can do.

THINK ABOUT:

1. What role do you need to focus on in this season of your life: accomplishing tasks or building relationships with people and God?2. Do you find it difficult to balance the different “jobs” you have? Why or why not?3. How will you practice a “whatever it takes” mindset?

PRAY:

Jesus, You don’t measure my value by what jobs I perform. I’m valuable just because I’m Yours! Help me to do whatever it takes to obey You and worship You with my finances.

DAY 28Whatever It Takes

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