Finances: Are You a Disciple?

Romans 1:21-23

Are you a Disciple when it comes to your finances? A disciple is someone who believes in Jesus and seeks to follow him in his or her daily Life. If I asked you to see your checkbook would it tell me that you are a disciple of Christ? Your checkbook will definitely tell me what you value most whether from a worldly or biblical perspective. I believe that in the above scripture verse 22-23 is clear: Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images. What we have done is reject God as our supreme treasure and traded him away for something he created.

What is Sin?

Sin is any feeling, thought or action that value things over God. In a nut shell its a heart that prefers money, status and creature comforts over God. God wants us to glorify him in our finances so

The Cost

Likewise, the cost of following Jesus is total surrender to him. We must love Jesus more than our families, wealth and creature comforts. Jesus does not want us to follow him blindly and he wants our full attention. Jesus sums up Luke 14:33 which says that “In the same way, any of you who do not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Many times we purchase goods for the instant gratification because we believe the purchase somehow changes our status in life. This behavior is a reflection of the “microwave society” we live in and our desire to have things now. We are not willing to wait to accumulate wealth or plan our purchases. The 2008 economic recession is a perfect example of how people lost their homes or jobs without really having a savings to fall back on.

Statistics

furthermore, have you ever wondered why 76% of American are living from paycheck to paycheck? In the African American community its about 80%. Many people today live by the gospel according to Madison Avenue. Madison Avenue says that we should buy now and pay later. They also tell us that we should keep up with the Jones or whoever it is with the bigger house, nicer car, or more things that we have. Therefore we take on the attitude that it is okay to spend money we do not have, thereby we do not count the cost of debt and we never surrender our finances to God. Therefore you will know whether you are a disciple when it comes to your finances.

Self Reflection

Finally, ask yourself the following question:

1. Are you a disciple for Jesus?
2. Have I given my all to Christ?
3. Do I love Jesus more than my family, money or creature comforts?

If you answered no to any of these questions you can become a disciple by declaring Jesus is Lord with your mouth, believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Secondly, begin to read Gods word about finances and then establish a budget.