Larry Burkett - Your Finances In Changing Times

1975 by
C ROWN F INANCIAL M INISTRIES
Moody Publishers Revised Edition, 1993

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

[All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

ISBN: 0-8024-2548-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8024-2548-5

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TO: My wife, Judy

My sons, Allen, Danny, and Todd, and My daughter, Kimberly

Also to my dear Christian friends who helped make this book a reality through their prayers and financial assistance. Charles and Edna Bearden, Greg Brezina, Bill Buck, Sid Cook, Victor Diffee, Bob Field, Hal Hayes, John Haynes, Reid Hughes, Thelma Kerr, Bob Lahr, Dave McGill, Frank McGowan, Vickie Shanahan, and all of the other brothers and sisters in Christ whom I forgot to mention but love dearly.

This study on Christian finances deals with one of the most important subjects that can occupy the Christian mind today.

Jesus had much to say about money. In fact, more than about almost any other subject. It is apparent as I speak to and counsel with many thousands across our country and throughout the world that economics play a major role in the affairs of men and nations. Countries are born and others die because of money or the lack of it. Wars are fought over wealth and ownership of resources.

And yet, few Christians seem to understand the devastation generated through the misuse of money. There are those who have accepted Gods financial plan as their own and stand out like giants among their brothers. But more common is the Christian who withholds this area of his life from God and struggles within the worlds financial system. The same frustrations, worries, and anxieties that characterize the nonbeliever are common to many, perhaps most, Christians.

Without a large scale return to Gods plan for making, spending, and sharing wealth, I fear the same disaster that has overtaken the nonbelieving world will befall Christians. Outside of Gods will we have no immunity to Satans schemes. Yet we leave ourselves vulnerable to his blows in the realm of finances.

I personally believe that the worldwide economic system is in imminent danger. In the coming changes, everyone will be forced to make tremendous financial adjustments. Christians will no longer be able to ride the fence between God and the world. Sunday morning Christianity will no longer be acceptable. Although God will provide for those who adhere to His plans, the temptations of the world and the pressures of compromise will lead many Christians to violate Gods ordained wayto their own detriment and ultimate regret.

Our Lord commands His own to seek first His (Gods) Kingdom and His righteousness, to lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Most Christians have failed to do this and, accordingly, have missed the blessing of God while amassing their fortunes.

I believe Gods patience is running out, just as it did in the days of Noah. No longer will He allow us to choose a middle-of-the-road existence. Those Christians who seek God will adopt His principles of finance. Those who fail to do so will suffer His chastisement as never before God will withdraw resources from the poor stewards, as related in Matthew 25, and give it to the good stewards.

No one is immune to financial temptations and difficulties. That is why I endorse this study for every committed Christian seeking Gods wisdom. These principles have been verified as only Gods Spirit can do: through the changed lives of Christians who have applied them. Countless hundreds of dedicated, sincere Christians who have found themselves victims of Satans trap have achieved financial freedom through the application of Gods plan outlined in this book.

It is Gods financial plan that is presented in this study, and I find great diligence has been applied in referencing Gods Word to every concept discussed. For this reason this book is a must reading for every Christian who seeks a life of maximum fulfillment for our Lord.

B ILL B RIGHT

President and founder

Campus Crusade for Christ

The purpose of this study is to help clarify Gods perspective on finances. For too long we have allowed others to influence what we think, feel, and believe about money. It seems that we have lost the point of reference in understanding why we have money and what we are to do with it. Throughout this book, we will focus on what God says about handling money.

In the past, this area of study has been largely ignored by both Christian organizations and individuals. Many false conceptions have been introduced about money and Christianity. People hear, Money is the root of all evil, and believe it comes from Scripture. It does not. Many people believe that poverty is inherently spiritual or that there is something innately sinful about having money. Neither is true. Those attitudes come from men, not God.

Christians have become victims of one of the most devious plots Satan ever createdthe concept that money belongs to us and not to God. Indeed, everything that we own belongs to Godincluding moneyand He will use it to direct our lives.

As we go through this study, we will examine hundreds of Scriptures dealing with money. It is easy to determine the importance money plays in Gods plan by the abundance of Scripture that relates to itmore than seven hundred verses directly refer to its use.

Many of those references commonly are misinterpreted to assume some spiritual principle not directly related to money. That is not totally in error because often Gods Word does contain more than a single lesson. But you should always address the simplest meaning first. When God speaks about money, He means money. When He speaks about multiplying assets, He means multiplying financial assets. When He talks about the evils of co-signing, He really means co-signing.

In Christian circles, almost everything that is heard relating to money deals with giving and sharing and why God says to do so. Obviously sharing is a part of Gods plan for our lives. But that is not where God starts; He wants our spiritual commitment first. Once that commitment is made, God wants to direct how we make, spend, save, invest, and share the money He supplies.

In this book we are going to deal with the following questionsfrom Gods perspective.

How should your money be earned?

How does your money affect attitudes?

How does money affect your family?