Financial accountability is first and foremost in the eyes of an organization with integrity. This especially applies to gifts made in the name of the Lord to a church or ministry. There is a high standard of fiduciary responsibility for those who name the name of Christ in how they handle cash. It’s not cavalier money managers, but conscientious ones who come out with the best reputation in regard to wise financial management.

What checks and balances does your church have in place to protect you from fraud? Do the ministries you support have an audit by an outside firm to assure impartial oversight? These are basic bottom line best practices that protect everyone involved. Naïve trust without accountability—as it relates to money—can lead to mismanagement of funds.

Wise money management doesn’t do just enough to get by, but it goes the extra mile to avoid any criticism in the misappropriation of funds. There is a solemn commitment to steward well the Lord’s resources. Churches and ministries that highly value stewardship, go to great pains to put in place leaders of integrity—who manage money with integrity.

How are your personal finances? Has God blessed you materially and with money? Do you represent Him well, as His money manager? Is there a financial professional full of character that looks over your shoulder, as an accountable second set of eyes? Secretive financial practices invite suspicion, while full financial disclosure offers clarity.

If you are a married couple—financial ignorance is not an option. One spouse may manage the finances, but the other one needs to understand their financial status and they both need to hold each other accountable. Most families and organizations do not complain of too much financial accountability, but many get in trouble where it’s lacking.

Therefore, whether at work, home or church, implement financial processes and policies that provide ongoing accountability. God will bless with more those who manage well. It’s passing the small tests in financial accountability that affords you larger opportunities later on. Honor the Lord and man by taking pains to be financially accountable.

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:23a).

How can I be a catalyst for financial accountability at work, home and church?

Related Readings: Judges 17:2; Amos 8:5; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Matthew 27:3-5

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It is easy for money to become a distraction. Just the making and management of money takes effort and focus. Indeed, money becomes a subtle master if it is not held in check. Our affections gravitate toward what we think about. If the majority of our waking moments are consumed by the thought of making more money, then we are distracted from God Almighty.

Yes, we need to do our work with excellence as unto the Lord. However, if making money becomes our consuming focus, then its devotion competes with God. Billions of people wake up every day to make money, but are they making money or is money making them? If my life is consumed by money, very little is left for a life well spent.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13).

Time and energy for others becomes scarce in the wake of compulsive money making. You may think that your current obsession with making money is for the long-term purpose of independent living. But this is flawed thinking, because a follower of Jesus Christ is never totally independent—they are tethered by trust to the will of God. There is a built-in eternal expectation to community and Christ that results in accountability and service.

Yes, finances can afford you options, but only consider options that are under the purview of God’s will. A life of unshackled leisure and self-indulgence is not a life well spent for the Lord. He may free you up to serve Him and others, but not to sit in total leisure. Too many options can be a distraction. So, where is the balance? How can you avoid money’s distraction?

Stay close to Christ and let Him love on you. He will love you away from money’s allurement and into eternal heavenly investments. Let Him love you away from the seduction of possessions. Then you will want to reciprocate this love to your lover, God. If your love quotients are met by stuff, then your affections will gravitate to the moneymaking mistress.

When you allow money to love on you, you feel a debt to materialism. Then your emotions and energies feel obligated to love back. An affair with money and possessions leaves nothing for the lover of your soul. And, without an intense love relationship with your Creator, you will become sad and dissatisfied. But loving God satisfies the soul.

Fortunately, there is a solution to money’s distraction. Let God love you—then you are compelled to love Him. Money’s distraction is derailed by a love relationship with Jesus. When you love Him wholeheartedly, there is no room for money to distract. Then give generously to whom He loves, especially the poor. Generous givers love God and not money. Eternal rewards await those who send ahead—what they cannot keep.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).

How can I use money as an expression of my love for the Lord and people?

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 15:10; Job 22:23-25; Luke 11:41; 1 Timothy 3:3;

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God is the source of wealth. He has the ability to give it, and He has the ability to take it. Wealth is not a result created by ourselves, but by Him. We have skills, but He gave us the skills. We have intelligence, but He gave us the intelligence. We have business acumen, but He gave us business acumen. We work hard, but He gave us the drive and the health to work hard. Wealth’s creation and accumulation comes back to God.

He is the “brains” behind the operation. He gives us the abilities to produce wealth. Whenever we forget this, we begin slipping down the slippery slope of pride and self-sufficiency. Indeed, it was easier to depend on God when you had nothing. Now that you have more than you ever dreamed, it is tempting to not credit King Jesus with your wealth and resources. He is not a silent or passive partner with you.

He is the owner of you and your assets. And as owner He deserves and desires full disclosure of His powerful position. Therefore, this does beg a very significant question. How does God expect me to steward the wealth He has entrusted to me? Of course it is not the “bigger barn” syndrome of lavishing all these resources on my wants and desires.

Indeed, a good place to start is with the poor. The poor are prevalent in unprecedented numbers. However, their screams are silent, so they still lack the proper attention God desires. The poor are mostly “out of sight,” thus “out of mind,” in the life of the wealthy. But the heart of Christ breaks for the poor. His heart for the poor is “top of mind.” This is His desire for His followers. The poor do not deserve what is left over. They deserve “first dibs.” We need to direct our front line giving to the poor and needy. Rub elbows with the poor, and you will give to the poor!

Wealth is a huge responsibility not to be taken lightly. If you take credit for it, you have your reward. Your control of wealth without regard to God’s heart assures an earth-bound reward. However, wealth invested and given to heavenly endeavors produces results and rewards way beyond this life. This is a promise of God. Pride facilitates spiritual amnesia.

The less needy you become, the more you drift from your greatest source of need, Almighty God. In reality, the more you have, the more you need God. You can only handle wealth well with God’s guidance. Otherwise, you are too guarded by greed, obsessed with opulence, or faith-frozen by fear. God’s guidance will free you through generosity and unleash you to pursue Kingdom initiatives.

So never forget that He is the source of your strength, the provider of your power, the wellspring of your wisdom, the artist of your abilities and the underpinning of your wealth. You remain “blessable” and blessed when you are quick to give Him the credit for your success. Your model of dependence on Him in an independent environment will lead your children to do the same. Stay relentlessly reliant on your Savior and Lord. Then wealth remains a blessing and not a burden. Use the world’s wealth as leverage for other-worldly purposes. This is confirmation of a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, grow wealth and give wealth for His glory!

Taken from the Dose 49 reading in the 90-day devotional book Infusion. For the Kindle version click here: http://amzn.to/dRobnw

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Money is useless in the hands of a fool. Unfortunately, one who is a fool probably does not buy into this line of thinking. The fool sees money as a panacea. The fool wants the authority of managing money without the responsibility of its wise use. His solution is to throw more money toward a problem or a person in need when, in reality, the investment of more money in a bad situation prolongs the poor results.

Entrusting money to a fool is like giving the keys of your new car to a small child. There is initial excitement and enthusiasm, but after just a few driving episodes there is loss. There is the loss of value to the automobile because of the damage inflicted to its body. There is the loss of time needed to repair the car and the property of others that may be involved in the mayhem. This is just the beginning. If unchecked, the losses continue to mount up.

Money in the hands of a fool is a disaster waiting to happen. Its irresponsible use is like leaving a larger-than-life, handcrafted ice sculpture on the beach. In the beginning it is beautiful for all to admire but, as the sun beats down, it melts away into the hot and dry sand never to be seen again.
Money in the hands of a fool evaporates. It is dangerous for him and for those around him. The character flaws that were dormant or harmless pre-wealth become exacerbated post-wealth. Anger and pride rise up to dominate and control others with their newfound power through money. However false and fleeting the power may be, fools bask in admiration gained from other fools. Yes, fools with money attract other fools.

It is a love feast of sorts, destined for waste in worldly activities. Money for the fool is all about today. It is all about squandering it on oneself and their useless forays. Fools cannot handle money. Money ensnares a fool into bondage. Indeed, the wise are careful not to feed a foolish, irresponsible appetite.

The wise steward of money looks for other wise individuals, organizations and environments in which to invest God’s resources. There is no real consideration to squander God’s blessings on those who do not understand or appreciate God’s game plan. So, as you consider investing, invest with those very skilled in money’s growth and in preservation of capital. Invest with those wise in the ways of God, who value what you value.

With regards to giving, look for wise ministry leaders and boards who request accountability and are committed to financial integrity. We all do better when others are looking. Give to Kingdom-minded ministry organizations that submit and listen to godly counsel. Structure your gift so that it keeps on giving after you go to heaven.

Lastly, as it relates to inheritance, let all involved know that your motivation is for the Kingdom of God, not for the prince of this world. Structure your inheritance for others in a way that facilitates wisdom and responsibility. Obviously, it comes down to the choice of the inheritor to accept or reject this catalyst toward Christ-centered living.

Prayerfully attempt to influence as many wise people as you can and avoid the foolish. Fools do not desire wisdom. Pray for an epidemic of desire toward the wise use of money. God will smile, others will be blessed and the Kingdom of God will be advanced. Be wise!

Taken from Dose 36 in the 90-day devotional book Infusion.

This is reason enough to be faithful in our financial obligations and even more reason to avoid debt. In fact, why not avoid debt unless it is absolutely necessary? Possible exceptions might be for a home mortgage, especially if you pay it off as soon as possible. Or, it might be prudent to take on a short-term debt to get a business off the ground, but only if you don’t jeopardize the security of your family.

Debt is inviting from a distance, but the closer it comes, the more you can see it is covered with warts. Do not become too familiar with debt and think you must have it. It can be a ruthless master. It lacks compassion and does not care about you or your family. Here’s a comforting fact: You do not have to worry about repaying debt if none has been incurred. If you have debt, pay it back. You are no different from a conscienceless world if you easily default to bankruptcy.

Anyone can walk away from responsibility, but what a testimony you demonstrate by doing the right thing. Creditors and friends will be amazed and even drawn to God through your financial faithfulness. At the very least, you will please God and will be able to sleep well at night. Do not be overwhelmed by the overall amount of your debt. Just be concerned about paying back what is owed today and trust God for tomorrow.

Indeed, one of the biggest reasons to avoid debt is so that you can become a generous giver. Generous giving is also a matter of financial faithfulness. It is a trust issue. You really can increase your giving in the face of greater financial obligations. This is God’s economy. The greater your needs, the more your giving may need to increase.

It does not make sense, humanly speaking, and it could even be construed as irresponsible. But, in fact, generosity is being responsible. It is through generosity that our faith is tested and refined. If we give according to how we can make the math work, then we miss a faith opportunity. Our faith grows most when we are generous.

And generosity is not defined by amount. It is defined by motive and capacity. A dollar given by faith with a capacity of two dollars is radical faith, while a dollar given with a capacity of ten dollars is minimal faith. Often givers are the best fundraisers. People want to give toward generosity. So do not let your modest income and small net worth limit your giving. A generous giver is a generous giver, regardless of the gift size.

Generosity starts where you are, not where you want to be. If God can trust you with a small amount of money, then He can trust you with a lot. The more you hold what you have with an open hand, the more you can be trusted.

Lastly, we can be generous givers and generous livers because of the debt of gratitude we owe God. Of course we can never pay Him back for the great love He has bestowed on us, but we can imitate His giving. There is no greater compliment than imitation. He gives to the undeserving. He gives to the ungrateful. He gives to the unsuspecting. He gives generously, lavishly and hilariously.

Generous giving is His nature, and the very nature of God lives in your life through Jesus Christ. Simply put, be who you are. Be a generous giver, because He first gave and still gives to you. You can’t outgive Him, but you can certainly join Him in this great adventure of generosity. Financial faithfulness is f r e e d o m !

Taken from the Dose 30 reading in Boyd Bailey’s Infusion. This 90-day devotional book is a compilation of the reader’s favorites from Wisdom Hunters daily devotional. Andy Stanley says, “I have walked with Boyd for over 20 years and I am definitely wiser for it. You are going to love this book!”

My biggest temptation may be to trust in money more than I trust in my Master Jesus. Cash is constantly bidding for my allegiance, over my commitment to Christ. I know the Lord takes care of His children, but don’t I have to save enough money to be secure? Financial planning is prudent and wise, but not to the point of replacing my dependence on God. When I obsess about the need for more money, I am totally trusting in money.

Ironically, our currency carries the not so subtle reminder, “In God We Trust”. Perhaps it was engraved by our faith-filled Founding Fathers as a warning to not waste our energy engaging money as the source of our security. Can we trust money and trust God at the same time? No, Jesus is very clear about the status of stuff in relation to God’s devotion:

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24).

You cannot trust cash and Christ simultaneously. Money is not trustworthy. So, honestly ask, “Is my future secured by my savings or by my Savior?” It’s impossible to obtain a 100% secured financial future. God knows we need this uncertainty to stay dependent on Him. Frustration and fear become the pattern of those who focus on finances over faith.

“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11).

The love of money and trust in money are both sins. So, how can we responsibly prepare for the future and remain loyal to the Lord? Start with gratitude to God for His daily provision, be a joyful and generous giver and submit moment by moment to the Lord’s ownership. You know you trust in the Lord alone, when your treasures in heaven far exceed your treasures on earth. Treasures left with Jesus produces a peaceful heart.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Does cash compete with my trust in Christ? How can I aggressively store up treasures in heaven?

Related Readings: Proverbs 23:5; Luke 19: 8-10; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Colossians 3:5

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God

How do you know if you love God or money more? Ask, do you worry more about missing your prayer time or missing your paycheck? Are you more anxious about what the Almighty thinks or do you obsess over the opinion of others? Are you driven to seek God’s Kingdom first, or to blindly build your kingdom? Devotion to the eternal or the temporal cannot be a both/and, but a choice of which one really captures your worship.

Money makes promises it cannot keep, like security, peace and prosperity. But the Lord makes you promises He does keep, like grace, forgiveness, joy and contentment.  When the commands of these two contradict each other whom will you follow, Christ or cash? Decide now, so that when you are in the emotion of the moment, you do not give in to glittering gold.

What keeps you up at night? Is it how to make more money or how to make more of Jesus? Set your affections above and you will be more effective below. The Lord is looking for His children with whom He can entrust more of His blessings. He longs for the faithful who use their finances to draw lost souls to salvation, hurting people to healing and who boldly pray, “your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”.

Perhaps you take your family on a mission trip, and see how the masses live with little money, but with a lot of the Lord. It is revolutionary for a soul that has been seduced by the mistress of money, to see how believers without stuff, affectionately embrace their Lord and Savior, Jesus. Expose your faith to the poor, so you are liberated from wealth.

It is a heart issue. Who captures your affections, your Savior or your stuff? Money makes a poor master, but a useful servant. While indeed, Jesus is the trustworthy Master with whom you can place your faith and devotion. Money tries to maneuver itself into a place of priority, but by faith you can relegate it to serve righteous causes. Love Him, not it.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

What masters my mind and holds my heart: God or money? Who needs my money?

Related Readings: Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:10; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Future savings are a wise way to express faith in our Heavenly Father. He does His part by giving us the ability to produce resources and He expects us to not spend it all in the present. The temptation is to take the work of our hands and have it all for now. However, it is when we wait on wants and save for needs that positions us to give in our golden years. “Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be” (Job 8:7).

Future savings requires self-denial and self-sacrifice. This is especially hard for those who are spenders. You want to reward yourself for a job well done, so you splurge and enjoy the moment. Perhaps a good process is to save 10% for long-term savings, just like you give 10% to the church and the Lord’s work. Consider an automatic draft from your checking account into safe savings, so that over time you adjust and don’t miss the cash flow.

Future savings gives you options. Would you like to have the opportunity to take your grandchildren on mission trips or give to building orphanages around the world? Maybe. Or, you may have the simple goal of having access to proper healthcare. None of us want to be a burden to our family or friends, even though they are there to bless you. Savings helps them to help you in your time of need. You raised them to raise you one day. “So there is hope for your future,” declares the LORD. “Your children will return to their own land” (Jeremiah 31:7).

Use the times when you gather extra income to store up for the lean times just like Joseph saved grain during the prosperous days so he could provide during the days of famine. “This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine” (Genesis 41:6). How can I save wisely for my family and my future needs?

Related Readings: Proverbs 21:5; 21:20 (LB); 1 Corinthians 16:2; 1 Timothy 5:8

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?

How will I respond?