Maximizing Family’s Finances By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
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Dear Reader,
You are welcome to a glorious year, where God has packaged lots of blessings for you and your family.
Last year was great, and we saw the marvellous help of God. This year, you will be greater! As God exposes us to more truth from the Word, I see you gaining command in your family, health, finances and all areas of life, in the name of Jesus!
In this first edition for the year, we shall be examining the topic: Maximizing Family’s Finances. I know that we must have placed budget for maybe the month, quarter or even for the year. This budget includes school fees, home upkeep, health care, personal needs, projects, etc. All these require money and that is why the issue of finance has always been a major aspect of marriage. In fact, the Bible says that money answereth all things (Ecclesiastics 10:19).
Money is a defence in marriage and is also a medium of exchange. The Word of God says: For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence… (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Money is required to live comfortably on the earth. It is a defence because with it, you can stop shame and embarrassment in your life and home.
Before you spend money, it is very important to know how to earn it. There should be a stable source of income for the family. That means idleness should be discouraged (Proverbs 13:11).
From research, it was discovered that an average American works 18 hours per day, to keep up with the daily financial demands of life. Some others even work much more, to achieve excellence. You need to set your mind to work. Financial fortune don’t just drop on people, you grow into it. My husband said, “If you want the get-rich-quick method, armed robbery will eventually be your job.” The Bible declares: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by LABOUR shall increase (Proverbs 13:11).
To have functional homes, where financial stress is not seen, you must engage yourself in productive work. A man must work in order to provide specially for his household spiritually, materially and financially and ensure his members have what to eat and wear.
Some men do rejoice at the fact that they are the heads of their homes, forgetting the responsibilities attached to that office. It is not enough to rejoice at the great authority that God has vested on you as a man, but to live up to the responsibilities attached to it. So, men, put your hands to work so as to perform your God-assigned responsibility.
After you have learnt how to earn money, you must also learn how to spend wisely. Some men waste the money meant for family upkeep on friends, entertainment, latest cars or electronics. On the other hand, some women spend more on fashion, makeup and unnecessary accessories. This is a wrong order of financial priority. You must engage wisdom to use your money properly, so you won’t labour in vain.
Benjamin Franklin said, “God never encourages idleness, and despises not persons in the meanest (lowly) employments.” If you are waiting for an executive job or flashy employment before taking up the task of working, you might be idle for a long while.
One man, when asked his secret of success, said “Work: work develops all the good there is in a man; idleness all the evil. Work sharpens all his faculties and makes him thrifty; idleness makes him lazy and a spendthrift.”
However, the Bible says it is God that teaches us to make wealth, but it takes salvation to access the wisdom to make and manage this wealth. To receive salvation, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
To accept Him right now, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and counselling@faithoyedepo.org; Or 07026385437 and 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Family, Success in Marriage (co-authored with Dr. David O. Oyedepo).
