Jason McKnight

This is the first of five posts (taken from our church newsletter) about how God would have us thrive in the area of finances.  They are self-contained, but definitely build on each other.  I hope you find these as helpful to read as I found to write!

Invitation to a Journey (April 2010)

I’d like to invite you on a journey with me. It will continue through the next few months of Grace Matters newsletters. It will very likely save you heartache and pain in future years, and help you through some tough times in the present. It will give you a framework for some of your most important (and frequent) decisions. What is it? It’s a journey into God’s finances in your life.

Notice I didn’t say “…into your finances.” The reality is they are not yours; they are God’s. Everything is God’s. He gives it to us to manage for His purposes. He’s actually given us a whole lot, hasn’t he? Homes and incomes, savings and investments, clothes and televisions, cars and boats. The key is for us to live into the truth that they all belong to Him. They are His, on loan to us, so that we can bring Him maximum glory by how we use them.

This is the main purpose of the journey I’m inviting us on: that over the next few months we would grow in perceptible ways, and change some practices so that we (as families and a body) would bring increasing glory to God in all that we do, including the financial realm. What do you think God could do with a group of people (say 300 of us) who have his mind about how to negotiate the opportunities that our particular time and place afford us? Don’t you think, as God sees our courage and faithfulness, he will give us joy on this journey, and invite a whole bunch of angels and saints to peer down at Kinston and say, “look at these folks – they are living for me in a radical and true way.”

Some of you are reading this right now and saying, “I’m so far in the hole, I don’t know what to do.” Or, “I don’t know where we’re going to get this month’s rent, let alone live in radical ways…” Or, “That’s fine Jason, but one of us is in real danger of losing our jobs… what can we do?” This journey is exactly for you. Because God is not done with you – there are miracles to unfold, and He’s still writing the story of grace in your life. Hang on to Him, and follow Him on this journey.

When I was in my 20s, I became burdened with the idea that a whole generation of wealthy Christian men and women in Montreal would not live forever, and that my generation needed to learn how to live by giving, so that we could support the Lord’s work (churches, ministries, camps, schools, etc.) and see the kingdom advance. I reasoned that if 20 or 30 of us young men and women, with 98% of our earning potential ahead of us, could get the basics of godly financial management right, we would be set to support Kingdom work, and our families for the rest of our lives.

Since that time, I’ve thought long and hard about godly financial management.  I’ve been taught by many mentors. I’ve been trained by some great materials. I’ve drunk deeply of God’s Word on this matter. I’ve practiced principles while single, and then meshed them with Susan’s godly practices once we got married. I’ve counseled folks in trouble, taught groups the basics, and generally been very aware of the real needs here. My burden has not lessened over the last 15 years.

So, over the next few months of Grace Matters, would you join me on a journey into God’s heart for the finances he’s given you? A question you should have is, What does the journey entail? It’s two parts: (a) Read the newsletter and internalize the truths (In fact, you may want to start a little file to collect them for future reference); (b) take the action steps given in each issue.

For today, the action steps are simple: one prayer, one framework, one assignment and one proverb.

Prayer: Ask God to help you grow in Him. That’s all. Tell Him you want to listen to His voice and make the hard decisions. Ask Him for joy and help as He leads you on this special journey.

Framework: I don’t know if you have ever categorized your budget line-items. You have the income on the one hand. That’s fine. Don’t we all wish we could have more in that category! Actually, people’s financial problems almost never come from the income side of the equation. They almost always come from the “Outgo” side. So, here’s the framework I suggest you consider for your Outgo part of the budget: four categories that will encompass every last dollar that goes out the door: Giving, Savings, Debt and Lifestyle. Granted, that final category will be the largest and most complicated—the house, car, clothes, vacations, groceries, education choices, etc. Think of it this way: when you get an extra $100 of income, you have to make a decision to put that money in one of those 4 categories (or split it between them). Start considering this as you send money out the door: is this Giving, Savings, Debt and Lifestyle?

Assignment: Take this next month – between now and the next time you read the newsletter – to write down everything you spend. Simply get a sheet of paper. On the left-hand side at the top write “Date”, next to it write “amount”, and then write “Description” (this third column should take up half or more of the width of the paper). And, go to it: jot down every last dollar that goes out of your hand, your bank account, your credit card. $119 on groceries; jot it down. $812 on rent or mortgage; jot it down. $38 at Lowe’s for fertilizer on your Visa; jot it down. $99 for Cable/internet bill; jot it down. $2.58 for a cappuccino at Starbucks (that’s for our Goldsboro and Greenville readers!); jot it down. You get the idea. Just record every last dollar that goes out. You’re not going to do it forever. But for at least one month, get a snapshot of where everything goes when it goes out the door.

Proverb: The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. (Prov 21:5) Have you been diligent with the finances/resources God has given you? Have you been hasty when it comes to finances… you know, you just look at your bank statement instead of balancing your checkbook, or you don’t stop to think through where the money for this large purchase will come from (even though there’s “No interest and no payments till 2011”). God says abundance is in the future for those who are diligent. That doesn’t mean we’re all going to be wealthy. But, “abundance” means every need supplied, extra ready for tough times, fun & celebration in proper measure, peace of mind in all things, and God’s blessing and leading for his glory in your life. That sounds like an abundant life to me. And, it comes to the diligent, not the hasty.

April 15 is just around the corner. What better time of year to take stock of our understanding and principles of money management. Will you join me on this journey? Will you be one who proves diligent, and on the road to abundance?

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