Friday, November 30, 2024
If you had told me decades ago that my understanding of money would completely transform, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. Back then, Yetta and I were deep in debt—credit cards maxed out, loans consolidated more than once, and a financial storm brewing that nearly cost us not one but two homes. Life was hard, and honestly, it felt like we were running in circles with no way out. But everything changed when we discovered God’s blueprint for finances.
The Bible is full of wisdom about money—over 2,000 scriptures, in fact—and those verses became the foundation of how we turned things around. It wasn’t easy, but it was simple: we stopped relying on what the world said about wealth and started applying what God says instead. That shift didn’t just change our bank account—it changed our lives.
The Turning Point
Before we understood stewardship, we thought financial peace meant just surviving—paying the bills, keeping creditors at bay, and maybe saving a little. But God’s design for money isn’t about survival. It’s about thriving. Proverbs 13:11 hit me like a ton of bricks: “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
That verse taught us that slow and steady wins the race, especially when it comes to building wealth. Instead of trying to fix everything overnight, we started taking small, intentional steps. We created a budget, prioritized saving, and began living within our means—really within our means, not just barely skating by.
Stewardship: God’s Financial Plan
The Bible’s concept of stewardship isn’t just about protecting what you have. It’s about multiplying it. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 shows this clearly. In the story, the master rewards the servants who grew what they were given. The one who buried his money out of fear? Let’s just say it didn’t go well for him.
That story opened my eyes. I realized that God had entrusted me with resources—not just money but time, energy, and skills—and He expected me to use them wisely. For Yetta and me, that meant embracing opportunities to grow our resources. We began investing in real estate, learning how to turn properties into wealth-building tools. But it wasn’t just about the money—it was about honoring what God had given us.
Little by Little
One of the biggest lessons we learned was patience. Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit.” It sounds simple, but the truth is, diligent planning takes discipline. There were times we wanted to quit—times when it felt like the progress was too slow. But little by little, as we applied biblical principles, our debt shrank, our savings grew, and our investments started to pay off.
What You Can Do Today
If you’re feeling stuck financially, let me share a few steps that helped us:
- Start Small, But Start Now: Saving doesn’t have to be big at first. Even small amounts add up over time when you’re consistent.
- Examine Your Spending: Look at where your money is going. Are you living within your means? If not, create a plan to get there.
- Invest Wisely: Whether it’s in real estate, your skills, or your relationships, think long-term. Stewardship is about multiplication, not just preservation.
- Trust God’s Design: Let His Word guide your financial decisions. It’s not just about knowledge; it’s about applying what you learn.
A Better Way Forward
Looking back, I can see how much freedom and peace came from aligning our finances with God’s principles. The Bible doesn’t promise instant wealth, but it does offer a path to financial health and abundance. For Yetta and me, that path was full of lessons—and blessings—we never expected.
If you’re ready to take the next step, I encourage you to start small, trust God’s plan, and stay consistent. It’s amazing what can happen when you build wealth wisely, one step at a time.
