Our guiding principles

The Biblical Principles that guide what we do:

1.  How we handle money impacts our relationship with the Lord

Luke 16:11  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Money is the key competitor with God for our attention.  How we handle money, and not let money handle us, can determine how trustworthy we will be to God.

2.  The Lord is owner of everything

1 Chronicles 29:11-12   Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Nothing is ours, it’s all His.  Society says you own what you have and should do whatever you like with it.  Changing our thinking to recognize that He has placed us as stewards/managers over possessions is important.  We have a responsibility to use them according to His will.

3.  Debt is slavery

Proverbs 22:7   The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Biblically it was always a curse to be a borrower.  It is not an overstatement to call debt for what it is:  slavery.  We should all strive to become debt free as soon as we can.

4.  Seek advice

Proverbs 12:15  The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Avoid making big mistakes by seeking advice of fellow followers of God.  The PF ministry coaching team is available to offer Godly counsel.

5.  Absolute honesty is required

Leviticus 19:11  Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.

Being faithful with little things, done lots and lots of times, makes you trustworthy to handle more.  We should all seek forgiveness for times when we weren’t honest and practice honesty in all things big and small.

6.  Giving is blessed

Acts 20:35  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Love of money is the biggest competitor to seeking God’s love.  Giving is a blessing because doing it regularly allows us to not fall in love with money, but to instead see it as simply a tool to accomplish a goal.

7.  Work diligently as if the Lord were your boss

Colossians 3:23-24   Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

If Jesus were reviewing your work every day, would you be working harder and better than you are now?  God is watching and wants you to excel at your job.

8.  Consistently save

Proverbs 21:5  Steady plodding brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty.

Investments that sound too good to be true usually are.  Placing big “bets” whether in the stock market or at the race track is all gambling, and should be avoided.  Better to save consistently and invest in a diversified manner in assets we understand.

9.  Spend wisely

Phillippians 4:11-13   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Being content is awesome.

10.  Plan for eternity

Mark 8:36  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

We’re citizens of heaven who happen to be on earth for a short time.  Use your time here wisely to plan for the return trip home.

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