Financial Warning Signs

Financial Warning Signs

Pastor Miles

1. My personal debt is growing.

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 ESV)

The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives; (Psalm 37:21 ESV)

2. If I miss one paycheck, I will be in trouble.

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless. (Proverbs 14:16 ESV)

3. My spouse and I often fight about money.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (James 4:1, 2 ESV)

By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10 ESV)

4. I don't put money into savings or retirement.

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
but a foolish man devours it. (Proverbs 21:20 ESV)

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. (Proverbs 13:11 ESV)

5. I made an impulsive purchase this month.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? (Luke 14:28 ESV)

In everything the prudent acts with knowledge,
but a fool flaunts his folly. (Proverbs 13:16 ESV)

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)

6. Because of my financial situation, I feel I can't obey God.

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

• The weight of our debt has turned us into slaves.

 7. I am often stressed about money.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25-33 ESV)

• Don't put undue importance on worldly things, but trust in God.
• The key to financial peace is keeping in step with God's plan for your life.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)