Questions to ponder

Today, I decided to post some questions for you to consider and answer truthfully. Write down your answers to them and reflect upon the answers. If you are married, both of you should answer the questions separately. Then, get together and compare your answers. If your answers are vastly different, find out why your spouse has those answers. Do not dismiss the other’s answers. Try to achieve unity.

God’s Ownership:

1. Do you recognize that God owns everything?
2. Have you ceded everything to God?
3. Do you realize that you are a manager/steward for the things that God has entrusted to you?

Tithing:

1. Do you tithe?
2. If not, why not?
3. If you do tithe, do you do so with a cheerful heart or are you begrudgingly giving?
4. How do plan to change your attitude towards tithing? (Read Matthew 23:23 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Savings:

1. Are you a consistent saver? 
2. What methods do you use to save?
3. If you are not a saver, what steps are you going to implement to get you started?
4. What are your savings goals?
5. What are your investing goals?
6. Are these goals biblical?
7. What steps are you taking to help protect you against making risky investments?

Debt:

1. Why do you think that so many people in our country are in debt?
2. Are you one of those in debt?
3. How does God view debt?
4. Do you have a plan to get out of debt?
5. What is your plan to get out of debt?
6. Do you view yourself as slave to your lenders?

Godly Counsel:

1. Before making investments or large financial decisions, do you seek Godly counsel?
2. If so, do you seek counsel from your spouse and/or someone else?
3. If you don’t seek counsel, why not?
4. Do you consistently read and study the Bible? God’s word provides counsel. (Psalm 119:24 -“Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors “;  2 Timothy 3:16-17  – “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ; & Hebrews 4:12 -” For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”)
5. Have you ever suffered because you did not seek the Lord’s counsel?
6. Have you ever suffered because you did not seek counsel from anyone?

Honesty:

1. Are you honest in even the smallest details?
2. If you are not, how are you planning to change?
3. What are some factors that motivate or influence you to act dishonestly?
4. Can you practice dishonesty and still love God? Proverbs 14:2 – “Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.”
5. Read Proverbs 26-28 and Romans 13:9-10. What do these passages tell you about dishonesty? Do they say it is okay to practice dishonesty and still love your neighbor? Why?
6. If you are a supervisor or business owner, are you honest and fair to your employees?
7. If you have acquired something dishonestly, are you willing to make restitution? Read Exodus 22:1-4 and Numbers 5:5-8.

Work

1. Do you work as hard as you should?
2. What things keep you from working hard?
3. Do you work too hard or too much?
4. How will you guard yourself from overworking?
5. Do you know for whom you really work? Colossians 3:22-25 – “22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”
6. Exodus 34:21 – ““Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.” Based on this verse, what does it say about you resting?
7. Do you get sufficient rest?

I hope these questions help you in handling finances the way God intends us to handle them.