Money is so closely connected with who we are that spending decisions are dramatically influenced by what we believe. Jesus says “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks,” and this is clear in finances. Our spending habits reveal our pain and insecurity and determine whether we make spending decisions out of slavery or sonship.
You are not Enough.
So many of us struggle with our own inadequacy yet God loves us with an unconditional love. Our spending decisions often reflect a desire to impress others, including spouses and children. Bigger houses, nicer cars and more expensive gifts are all a part of the ‘American’ dream. Yet, happiness is not found in the American dream because it was designed to impress others, not fulfill our own lives.
When we lay aside the lie that we are not enough and replace it with God’s truth, our financial story will be transformed. This is not a single decision but a moment by moment lifestyle. Not easy, but simple.
God is not Good.
Filling our lives with material possessions or searching for approval from others indicate a lack of trust in God’s goodness. While few Christians would deny the idea that “God is good,” living this out practically is a struggle we face every day.
Trusting ourselves completely to God and His goodness is not easy. It asks us to take risks and listen to His voice. Recognizing God’s goodness is the first step in releasing control of our finances and giving it all back to Him.
Silence is Best.
Shame silences. When faced with financial struggles we can feel alone and hopeless. One of the enemy’s most powerful tactics is to silence us. We equate money failure with being a failure and this simply is not true. Instead of hiding our shame and alienating ourselves, we must release our secrets into the light.
The ability to release our secrets and pain into the arms of Father who loves us can be daunting. Yet, God does not give us shame or fear over our mistakes. He calls us over and over again to choose his path of life.
There is no shame in being a prisoner or in believing the lies which pervade our culture. Every one of us struggles to embrace the reality of a God who loves us without condition. Doing this is not easy and How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend looks at moving from slavery to sonship in more detail. We must move from a slave mentality to that of a son. We are enough. GOD IS GOOD AND WE NEED TO RELEASE OUR FEAR AND SHAME TO HIM. ONLY THEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE TRUE FINANCIAL FREEDOM.