Set Up Your Resource

A part of getting set up is making pre-determined plans to set up our resources well. When we're doing that in accordance with what we've already established in this devotional, to first start by seeking the kingdom of God and abiding in him through the Word and in prayer, the next thing to take care of is our practical world. That means setting up our finances to honour God. One of the most important things to remember is that it is all God’s anyway!

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it; - Psalm 24:1

The Bible talks about God loving a cheerful giver. We want to get a heart of generosity that loves to be generous and honour God with our finances and time. Giving cultivates a culture of generosity in our lives.

Stewarding Our Money, Time, & Gifts Well

There are some key reasons why we are called to set up our finances and use of our gifts to honour God and seek first his kingdom.

What are the reasons we choose to be generous with our finances:

• To put God first (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• To be a good steward (Luke 6:38)
• To have a heart of generosity (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
• To understand that our blessing is about others also (2 Corinthians 9:8)

With our inward attitudes put right - having a heart of generosity, honouring God first, and allowing our giving to be about others, we need to ensure that we are practicing diligence as good stewards of the finances that God has given us. That means budgeting, saving, and investing.

Budgeting is a great way to ensure that you are controlling your money, not the other way around. (Proverbs 21:5)

Saving is a biblical principle; Jesus spoke about it at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-20) and Proverbs 6:6-8 speaks about being wise with our finances.

Investing is a great way to build up money to help in times when you need it the most. In Proverbs 31, the wife who displays all the traits of the book of Proverbs as wisdom personified, invests her money that she earns to take care of her family.

And then, you also need to consider how you will steward the other resources you have in your hands - your time, your gifts and talents. How will you plan to budget and steward these?

Spend some time today considering these areas and write down some practical things you can commit to.

Prayer Point:

Lord, I thank you that you would help me to be a good steward of my finances, time and gifts this year. I pray that you would give me wisdom as I set up my finances well, seeking you first as I give, being a good steward as I budget, save and invest the resources you have given me.