THE FAITHFUL MANAGER INVESTS MONEY WISELY

The Faithful manager views money differently than the way the world views finances. The mind-set of the faithful manger consists of four core beliefs:

1. God Created Everything

This means that you believe it all starts and ends with God just as stated in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (niv). If you believe that God created everything from the planets to the earth to life to humans to, more specifically, you, then this should be the foundation of your faith. Who is in control of everything?

2. God Owns Everything

Psalm 24:1 shows us that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (niv). This belief comes from a life of trust and reliance on God. Your faith is your greatest asset in this world. As your faith continues to grow, your reliance on God should increase as well. If you believe God owns everything, this motivates you to a whole new level. This also leads to an important question: Who does your money really belong to?

3. We Are God’s Trustees

First Timothy 6:17-18 exhorts, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (niv). This helps to form the mind-set of a trustee. A trustee is one to whom property is entrusted. The belief that God entrusts you with wealth carries greater responsibility and a higher purpose. This mind-set also looks to shift from your self-interests to God’s interests. If you believe God created and owns everything and He has entrusted the things of this earth to you, isn’t your money really His money? He allows you usage during your lifetime, but He is still in control and the ultimate owner. That line of thought leads to another important question: How should you manage His money?

4. Managing Money Involves an Emphasis on Honoring God

The core of this belief is to look at how God would want His money invested. This involves an understanding of what God would support or condone. You may believe that issues or causes are not just black or white. You may believe that there are gray areas. Do you think God sees in gray? There is right or wrong. Man uses gray to justify his lifestyle. Rather than be convicted of wrongdoing, man often changes what God intended to suit his needs rather than God’s desires. How should God’s money be invested?

As a faithful manager, you are responsible as an administrator of the affairs and possessions of God. One day we all have to account for how we spent our time, used our spiritual gifts, and the way we used or abused the resources we were given. This accountability should drive our desires, our motivation, and most of all our behavior.