·
Sinful actions.
oProv. 21:25-26: Laziness
is a cause as well as an approach to life that accomplishes nothing. And it is worse, as in this passage, when the
lazy man still covets what others have.
oNum. 11:1-9: Complaining
is another non-productive approach to life.
Ultimately we are complaints are always directed at God.
oLuke 6:30-38: We
may try to solve financial troubles by stinginess (being
“tight-fisted”). Being stingy is not
being thrifty; the stingy person
looks away from those in need.
oEph. 4:28: Another
sinful way of trying to overcome a financial squeeze is stealing, taking
what is not yours.
oRom. 13:8: Withholding
payment of what is due to others is also a sin.
oProv. 3:9-10:
And with all of these we should note that dishonoring God by not acknowledging
His provision by returning a portion to Him is also a sin.
How
should we handle these situations? Now
let us consider six attitudes and then six actions, each being the response to
the six sinful attitudes and actions.
·
Godly attitudes.
oPhil. 4:6-7:
Instead of worry we are to pray with thanksgiving. This is a basic expression of trust in God’s goodness, even when things are tight.
oIsa. 41:10:
Rather than succumbing to fear trust in God’s presence will lead to courage. (Heb. 13:5-6 is also a great passage for
meditation.)
o1 Tim. 6:7-8:
Trust in God’s sovereignty will keep
us from anger and we will approach God in meekness. Job had this kind of trust; cf. Job 1:21.
oPhil. 4:4: Trust
in God’s compassion/mercy will bring joyfulness
rather than self-pity.
oJames 5:7-12:
Trust in God’s faithfulness
(promises) with give endurance rather than discouragement that leads us
to give up.
oPhil. 4:10-13:
Finally, trust in God’s provision
will produce contentment rather than covetousness which is insatiable.
In tomorrow’s post we will conclude our study of how people
who walk by faith deal with the challenges of financial difficulty.
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