1 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Christian Principles for Tough Economic Times “Wisdom and Finances” Pastor Brian C. Sweeney

2 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Luke 15:11-16 Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.

3 CHUM You can do it. We will help. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

4 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Genesis 41:28-57 (excerpts) 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. 30 After them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land. 31 The plenty will no longer be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very grievous…

5 CHUM You can do it. We will help. 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.’… 47 During the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly...

6 CHUM You can do it. We will help. 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every country, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread And since the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine became severe throughout the world.

7 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Matthew 6:19-21 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust* consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust* consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

8 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Genesis 12:1-3 Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

9 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.

10 CHUM You can do it. We will help. I. Living as Prodigals II. Clarifying Our Relationship with Money and Possessions A. Two different sets of priorities for spending: 1. The Way of the World – exist to consume all you can 2. The Way of Wisdom and Finance – exist for a higher purpose than consuming B. Our possessions and finances should be mainly devoted to living out our calling. C. Our money and our possessions are only tools. D. Be clear about your goals and your plans.

11 CHUM You can do it. We will help. III. An Ideal Spending Plan (Budget) (See the bulletin insert for resources) IV. The Disciplines of Managing Your Money with Wisdom and Faith: 1. Put God first in your living and giving. II Corinthians 9: Prepare a spending plan and track all expenses monthly. Proverbs 27: Simplify your lifestyle, live below your means. Matthew 6: Provide immediately for an emergency fund. 1 Timothy 6: Pay off all credit card debt and use cash not credit cards. Proverbs 22:7 6. Practice long-range saving and investing habits. Luke 14:28

12 CHUM You can do it. We will help. Christian Principles for Tough Economic Times “Wisdom and Finances” Pastor Brian C. Sweeney