Get the spiritual and financial guidance you've been looking for and get to The Heart of Financial Matters with the guidance of a devoted Christian with more than forty years of experience as a banking executive. Author Eddie Hedges challenges you to look deep within yourself to see where your heart lies in your relationship with God. As a banker, he found that customers experienced financial problems when they violated money management principles that are taught in the Bible. By studying God's teachings in your life, you can find ways to improve your marriage through your handling of money; set and reach realistic financial goals; teach your children about how to save money; deal with financial adversity and come out a winner. God is always with us, but it's up to us to make smart financial decisions that help ourselves and others. By recognizing your financial problems and finding solutions, you'll make money your servant instead of your master.

The Heart of Financial Matters

Seeking a Servant's HeartBy Eddie Hedges

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Eddie Hedges
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-5106-9

Contents

1. Introduction....................................................32. Accepting Financial Responsibility..............................133. A Prayerful Heart...............................................214. The Heart of a Faithful Servant.................................295. He That Rules His Spirit........................................356. Having a Servant's Heart........................................417. You Can Take It with You........................................488. A Lesson from the Ant...........................................579. The Heart of Financial Growth and Stability.....................6210. Compounding Your Financial Growth...............................6811. Your Servant or Your Master?....................................7512. Wisdom in Listening.............................................8113. Deliver Yourself from the Hunter................................8414. The Hand of the Diligent Makes Rich.............................8915. How to Balance Your Statement...................................9316. Training the Heart of a Child...................................9417. Preparing for the Financial Journey.............................10118. The Heart of Adversity..........................................10919. Your Heart Is Not for Sale......................................12120. The Heart of a Winner...........................................13021. He Wants Your Heart.............................................13422. Appendix A......................................................13923. Appendix B......................................................14124. Appendix C......................................................14225. Appendix D......................................................14326. Appendix E......................................................14527. Acknowledgments.................................................147

Chapter One

Accepting Financial Responsibility

In an article in the May 2011 AARP Magazine ("Fix the Class Act, Don't Kill It," by Howard Gleckman), I read that of every ten people over the age of sixty-five, only three will be able to retire financially independent. I do not know if this is true, but this is what the article stated, so let us assume it is reasonably accurate. According to the article, the other seven will depend on relatives, charity, government assistance, or will need to continue working. This indicates a severe problem in our society. Only 30 percent have enough education, discipline, and financial planning to be able to retire with the financial freedom to do what they choose. We live in a financially sick society. It is as though a contagious disease is running rampant throughout the country, causing sickness to people of all ages.

Do you want to be one of the 30 percent that retire financially secure? You can have financial success or failure. You have the ability to control which it will be. If you want financial independence, study the principles I discuss and apply them until they become a part of your daily life.

It has been said that habits make you what you are or what you will become. By developing good financial habits, you can be in the 30 percent that can retire without financial problems.

If you are reading this book to get rich quick, you are wasting your time. This is a study based on sound biblical financial principles to help you keep the money you have, invest it wisely, and provide for a safe, secure, financial future. It is for everyone—wage earners, professionals, young people (especially young married couples), those who are having trouble making ends meet, and people without proper financial training or a background in money management.

Most people spend everything they make, be it $10,000 or $100,000. These are the people who will end up in the 70 percent who do not have financial security. In my opinion, it is not the amount of money that you make, but what you do with your money that is of more importance. "Expenses rise to meet income." Exactly what does that mean? If a person increases his income, he will most likely increase his standard of living accordingly. He will buy a new car, purchase a bigger house, and go out to eat more often. In addition, he will have a more relaxed attitude toward controlling his cost of living.

There is an old saying that if you give a boy a fish, he will eat for a day; but if you teach him how to fish, he will eat for the rest of his life. Give a man one hundred dollars, and he will spend it. An example of this would be lottery winners. In many cases, the lottery winners spend, lose, waste, or give away their winnings. Within a few years, they are back to where they were, financially, before they won. They never learned the financial principles of making and keeping money. But teach people to earn, save, and invest money, and they will find financial security for the rest of their lives. These principles will help get your finances under control.

Is this going to be easy? No! In fact, it will be very, very difficult to stick to these principles; but you must if you want a secure, financial future. These principles will work for anyone, regardless of income, unless they are faced with a major financial emergency. Then, the emergency will be easier to handle.

Compare these principles to driving hurriedly on a busy, winding road in hilly country. The car in front of you is driving slower than the speed limit. The yellow lines in the road warn that passing at this point is illegal. Your foot may get heavy, and the desire to pass the other car is tempting, but what is the purpose of the yellow lines? Are they there to restrict you? Those yellow lines are there for your protection, safety, and welfare, and to warn of potential danger. These financial principles serve the same purpose as those yellow no-passing lines. They are for your financial protection, safety, and peace of mind, as well as a feeling of confidence and accomplishment. If they are misused, or not used at all, you will face financial danger and instability, just as you face personal danger if you cross the yellow line when driving.

Consider why God gave us the Ten Commandments. They are given as rules to live by for a good and acceptable life in His sight. If we obey God's commandments, we have harmony, peace, and happiness. God's commandments are not given to restrict our life—but to enhance it. The same is true of these financial principles. They are not to restrict our life financially, but to enhance it and eliminate financial problems. They are for our financial protection, safety, welfare, and to warn of potential financial danger—just as the yellow lines when we are driving.

What Does the Bible Say about Money?

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV).

Please grasp this important point. If you covet and pursue money, you will have many sorrows and disappointments (ruin and destruction).

Does this state that money is evil? That is not what the Scripture says. Money is neutral. What people do with money—and their attitude toward money—determines if money is evil for their own lives. Money can be good. It is one way God provides for our needs and the needs of others. Money builds church buildings, schools, and hospitals. Money should never be put before serving God. The end of this verse says "the love of money will bring ... many griefs."

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money)" (Matthew 6:24 KJV).

Here is another very important point. Money can become your master. A master is someone you serve. You become your master's slave. Money is a great servant, but it is a very poor master.

"The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit" (Proverbs 18:11 KJV).

In biblical times, a city built high walls for the protection of its inhabitants. This verse says that a rich man trusts in his riches to protect him, just as the high walls of the city were supposed to provide protection. Do not let money or wealth become your security or trust in it for protection, because you are only deceiving yourself.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged (dug) in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee, that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed (spread), and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast what is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. Thou oughtest, therefore, to have put my money to the exchangers, and then, at my coming, I should have received mine own with usury (interest). Take, therefore, the talent from him, and give it unto him who hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:14-30 KJV).

Which servants received more? The good and faithful servants received more. They entered "into the joy of thy lord." This is not so with the unfaithful servant. Why would God entrust you with more if you are not a good steward with what He has already given you? This applies to money—as well as any other gift or talent—you have received from God.

All that we have, money included, ultimately belongs to God. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalms 50:10 KJV).

Our possessions are ours as gifts of trusteeship. God expects us to manage them well. As we develop and mature in our trusteeship, God is able to entrust to us more of His kingdom's work and resources. Good stewardship in little leads to being entrusted with more. God rewards faithfulness with new opportunities and responsibilities.

Furthermore, God does not want to receive the talents, including money, exactly as He gave them to us. He wants them expanded. Accepting our financial responsibilities in God's plan is the only way we can exercise good financial management.

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:47-48 KJV).

In Matthew 25:21 and 23, the verses state the reward (promise) for their faithfulness. They entered "into the joy of thy lord." They were happy in the Lord.

The Importance of Goals and Patience

It is important to set goals to properly measure your success and progress in managing your finances. The methods to reach your goals are derived from these principles and will be covered in the chapter "Preparing for the Financial Journey."

Why is it important to set financial goals? Think of using goals as a road map to financial management, just as you would use a road map when taking a long trip to get to a specific destination. You have to know where you are going before you can get there. You also must know how to get there. Your goals will guide you to what you want to accomplish financially. They are your financial game plan. You must establish a plan or budget to reach the desired goals. You need to set up a specific plan of action—not just to become a millionaire, but how to become a millionaire. You will also need to be realistic in setting your goals and in setting the time frame for reaching your goals. If you are unrealistic, you will become discouraged and frustrated in your efforts. You also will need to update your goals annually, or more often, if a specific goal is reached.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? Lest haply (perhaps), after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish (Luke 14:28-30 KJV).

This shows no forethought or planning. Financial goals are similar to the blueprint of a house. Goals are your guides for building financial success. There is another important factor that must be remembered regarding your finances. You will not reach your goals or become financially secure overnight. You must be patient and give yourself—and the principles—time to work. No matter what your age, being patient is a challenge. We often feel helpless while waiting for a particular event to take place. If only we had full control over the situation, we would expedite it. Waiting seems to be a waste of time, but patience is vital. Why is patience important? So you do not get ahead of God's timing and preparation of you and for you. God's timing is perfect. So often God tells us to just sit and wait for Him to get everything prepared, especially for major things in life. God is saying wait and see My power revealed to you or in you, so that your situation may be complete and to the fullest, lacking nothing. Everything must happen in a timely order for it to be good and right.

A biblical example of this comes from the story of Elijah (1 Kings Chapters 17 and 18). Elijah told King Ahab that it would not rain for the next few years except at his word. Three years later, the Lord sent Elijah to King Ahab and issued a challenge to 450 prophets of Baal to see if Baal or the Lord God could bring fire to burn a sacrifice to be offered. Elijah had to wait three years for God to prepare him, King Ahab, the prophets, and the people of Israel for God to show His power and strength. There was no doubt that God was (and is) who He says He was and that He was in control. Patience was necessary for God's timing in the situation to play out as God planned. Again, God's timing is perfect; ours is not.

Think of a farmer who prepares the land, plants the seed, waters, and fertilizes it, and then harvests the crop. He must be patient before reaping his financial rewards. If the farmer skips or leaves out any portion, he does not get the maximum benefit from his crop. You, too, must be patient if you are to be rewarded. You cannot skip certain portions. As stated earlier, these principles will work, but they must be given proper time.

"My brethren, count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations (various trials), knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing" (James 1:2-4 KJV).

Let patience work so you will want nothing. Everything must happen, in a timely manner, for best results.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, stablish (establish) your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (James 5:7-8 KJV).

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:36 KJV).

The NIV version says, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

The NASB says, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

Read again—we receive the promise after we have done the will of God. Have you noticed in Scripture that every promise of God is dependent upon an action from us prior to receiving the promise from Him?

Your personal approach to money management should be the same as if you owned or managed a business. You do what you honestly can, to get the maximum income, without jeopardizing your assets. Among these are:

1. Know the importance and need for proper financial training.

2. Set goals and understand why it is important to do so.

3. Believe the key to receiving God's blessing is to observe and obey His Commandments.

God knows what has happened in your life. He knows what is happening in your life, and He knows what is going to happen in your life. He knows if you are going to lose your job, if there is a long-term illness for you or a family member, or even death.

He will help you be prepared for these situations if you go to Him in prayer for counsel and fellowship.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Heart of Financial Mattersby Eddie Hedges Copyright © 2011 by Eddie Hedges. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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