Larry Burkett - The Word on Finances: Practical Wisdom and Bible Reference Guide for Todays Economic Climate

1994 by
CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES

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.

Originally published in a different format as What the Bible Says About Money (Brentwood, Tenn.: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1989).

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

ISBN: 978-0-8024-6698-3

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To the many men and women around the country who teach and counsel on a nonprofit basis so that others may know Gods principles of finances

Finding the Career that Fits You
(with Lee Ellis)
Your Career in Changing Times
(with Lee Ellis)

Debt-Free Living
The Family Budget Workbook
Family Financial Workbook
Giving and Tithing
How to Manage Your Money
Money Before Marriage
Money Management for College Students
Money Matters for Kids
Money Matters for Teens
Money Matters Workbook for Teens (ages 1114)
Money Matters Workbook for Teens (ages 1518)
More Than Finances
Nothing to Fear
Personal Finances
Using Your Money Wisely
Worlds Easiest Guide to Finances
Your Finances in Changing Times

The Word on Finances was never meant to be a book. It actually began in 1971 as my personal study into what Gods Word has to say about finances.

After a Monday morning mens Bible study, at which I mentioned that the Bible had more than a hundred references on the subject of money, I was challenged by a participant who said, I just dont think money is that important to God. Being a pragmatist about nearly everything, I simply went home, took out a brand new Bible, and began my own study on what the Bible says about money.

As I read through the Bible in my study time, I yellow-lined every passage that dealt specifically with finances. I discovered that there are more than 1,000 references to money in the Biblesecond only to the subject of love.

I had my secretary type out all the verses I had yellow-lined, thus creating a sequential reference. Then I studied each reference carefully and sorted them by topic, i.e., borrowing, lending, saving, investing, stealing, cheating, and so on. Once these were retyped, I had an index for the biblical principles of finances.

Over the years I have used this index or reference thousands of times in writing. It is always on my desk when I am working on some new project about family finances from a biblical perspective. (The information was formerly published under the title What the Bible Says About Money.)

The Word on Finances is this same reference guide, updated, and made available to you. I trust you will find it as beneficial and enlightening as I have. The Lord Himself said that if we are not found faithful in the use of money (mammon) we will not be found faithful in other things; so, money really is that important to God.

My many thanks to my editor, Adeline Griffith, for her tireless efforts in bringing this project to its finished state.

Also, my unending praise for the tens of thousands of Christians who have committed themselves to being good stewards of Gods resources as a result of that early effort. Even one changed life would make this, or any other project, a worthwhile venture.

LARRY BURKETT

O ur relationship with God is determined in great part by our attitudes. Having right attitudes doesnt just mean learning to live on a budget and tithing to the Lord. Right attitudes include total commitment to God, listening to the counsel of other people (including husbands or wives), dealing fairly and honestly with other people, being humble and thankful, and forgiving others (in terms of debts that are owed). The right attitudes God will honor are spiritual values being reflected through finances.

G od calls each of us to a radical lifestyletotal commitment to Him. You can determine a great deal about spiritual commitment by what Christians treasure. Gods Word says that our treasures will be wherever our hearts are. All that truly matters is what we can do for the kingdom of God. Certainly, the things we accumulate are not important. They are simply tools for us to use in accomplishing Gods work.

Sometimes commitment breaks down when a sacrifice is required. We must make a choice about our commitment and there are only two choices. We cannot serve God and mammon.

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.

Psalm 37:46

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:56

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:3334

Peter answered and said to Him, Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us? And Jesus said to them, And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My names sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:2729

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:10, 13

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and count them but rubbish in order