Biblical Financial Foundations Why financial foundations?

● Finances are a significant Biblical emphasis● We are presently dealing with difficult times● Financial challenges often present relational

challenges● Wise or foolish perspectives affect financial

outcomes● We need proper perspectives on wealth and

prosperity

Biblical Financial Foundations Why financial foundations?

● Finances are a significant Biblical emphasis● We are presently dealing with difficult times● Financial challenges often present relational

challenges● Wise or foolish perspectives affect financial

outcomes● We need proper perspectives on wealth and

prosperity

Ability to Obtain WealthAbility to Obtain Wealth

Biblical Financial FoundationsBiblical Financial Foundations

I. God’s Gift to WorkI. God’s Gift to Work

Tenders of the Garden● Genesis 2:15 The

LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 

● Work is not a curse

Tenders of the Garden● Genesis 2:15 The

LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 

● Work is not a curse

The ground cursed because of man’s sin● Genesis 3:17-19 the ground is cursed

because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.  It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.  By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat

The ground cursed because of man’s sin● Genesis 3:17-19 the ground is cursed

because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.  It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.  By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat

Work to eat● Provision for the unfortunate● Provision for the disabled● No provision for the lazy● 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Even while we were

with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

● 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

Work to eat● Provision for the unfortunate● Provision for the disabled● No provision for the lazy● 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Even while we were

with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

● 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

II. Abilities From GodII. Abilities From God

Deuteronomy 8:17-18● Never say – I have achieved this wealth with

my own strength and energy● God gives you the power to be successful● In order to confirm his covenant with his

people

Deuteronomy 8:17-18● Never say – I have achieved this wealth with

my own strength and energy● God gives you the power to be successful● In order to confirm his covenant with his

people

Working as for the Lord – Colossians 3:22-24● Please employers● Serve sincerely● Work willingly as for the Lord rather than

people● Your reward comes from the Lord

Working as for the Lord – Colossians 3:22-24● Please employers● Serve sincerely● Work willingly as for the Lord rather than

people● Your reward comes from the Lord

Ephesians 6:5-9● Obey masters with deep respect and fear● Serve sincerely and with enthusiasm as

though working for the Lord● The Lord will reward you for the good you do● Employers treat your employees right

Ephesians 6:5-9● Obey masters with deep respect and fear● Serve sincerely and with enthusiasm as

though working for the Lord● The Lord will reward you for the good you do● Employers treat your employees right

III. The Power to SucceedIII. The Power to Succeed

Proverbs 16:3, 9 (Amplified)● Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and

trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed…A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 16:3, 9 (Amplified)● Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and

trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed…A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

What is success?● Most typically defined

What is success?● Most typically defined

● Biblical success – simply defined▪ Being faithful with what the Lord has

entrusted you▪ Well done good and faithful servant.

Faithful with a few I will entrust you with much (Matthew 25:14-30)

● Biblical success – simply defined▪ Being faithful with what the Lord has

entrusted you▪ Well done good and faithful servant.

Faithful with a few I will entrust you with much (Matthew 25:14-30)

● Recognize the proving time of faithful with the few▪ Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and

he will give you your heart’s desires. ● Continue by the sweat of your brow  

● Recognize the proving time of faithful with the few▪ Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and

he will give you your heart’s desires. ● Continue by the sweat of your brow  

Interaction TimeInteraction Time

Colossians 3 says to work willingly as for the Lord rather than people. What if your employer asks you to do something illegal or unethical? Or what if he/she doesn’t ask you to do anything illegal or unethical, but you discover he/she is doing such things? Should you confront them, quite your job, ignore it, or other?

Colossians 3 says to work willingly as for the Lord rather than people. What if your employer asks you to do something illegal or unethical? Or what if he/she doesn’t ask you to do anything illegal or unethical, but you discover he/she is doing such things? Should you confront them, quite your job, ignore it, or other?

Do you enjoy your job? If you could do what you wanted to do what would it be? What prevents you from pursuing that?

Do you enjoy your job? If you could do what you wanted to do what would it be? What prevents you from pursuing that?

Are you in the wilderness of testing – or in the promised land of God’s provision? Is there any difference, whether in the wilderness or the promised land, as to the source of your provision?

Are you in the wilderness of testing – or in the promised land of God’s provision? Is there any difference, whether in the wilderness or the promised land, as to the source of your provision?