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"A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living. [14] About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 
 

According to Time Magazine (July, 96), over a quarter of a million Americans declared bankruptcy during the first nine months of 1996 alone! Consumer debt reached $1.14 trillion that year. How can that be?

It is impossible to suffer a money crunch without it bringing stress into the family. Money problems are often the source for marital discord and ultimately divorce.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the young man's immaturity and lack of spiritual substance is illustrated in the way he spent his money. Is it possible for a person to be a maturing believer and not be able to have balance in the area of personal finances?

This morning I want to share with you some Biblical principles about the use of money that can shield you from the type of financial and spiritual calamity the prodigal son suffered. 

• •Make all the Money you can Make. 

There is something very evil about loving money. When people love money they use people. God's plan for us is to love people and use money, not use people and love money.

Hard work is God's good plan for His people. He commanded Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply." Paul taught the importance of diligent labor to supply your needs and the needs of others in Eph 4:28 NLT "If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need."

Now, please don't think I'm promoting greed here. I'm not. Earning a fair living and contentment are not mutually exclusive.

A wealthy employer once heard one of his workers exclaim, "Oh, if I only had a hundred dollars, I would be perfectly content." Knowing that his own money had not given him this inner peace, he told her, "Since I would like to see someone who is perfectly contented, I'm going to grant your desire." He gave her the money and left, but before he was out of earshot, he heard her remark almost bitterly, "Why on earth didn't I say $200?" The boss smiled, for he had made his point that money doesn't make a person "perfectly contented." (Copied)

You will see the balance to the "Make all the Money you can Make" principle latter in the message.

• •Keep all the Money you can Keep. 

To avoid poverty you must avoid impulse purchases. Prov. 21:5 teaches the importance of planning your purchases. "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."

You can stay in control of your purchases if you will avoid impulse land-mines. The agony of bill paying always follows the joy of purchasing.

Don't let someone pressure you into a decision. A few years ago our Realtor gave us a counter offer from the owner of a Condo we were trying to purchase. They wanted us to sign the offer that day or the offer was void. Our answer? We told her our answer is NO for today, but if she is willing to wait until next week it might be yes. What do you think the sellers did? We'll you know what they did. We've lived in the Condo for over three years now.

Don't purchase "status." We are funny people. We will buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. Instead, we should foster a "simple" lifestyle.

During the last major league baseball strike, many of the players were getting uptight. Some were frustrated because they couldn't play the game that had become their entire life. Others were troubled about finances because they had high payments to make, and they were not getting their salaries. Still others were worried about the future, wondering if a prolonged walkout would put baseball out of business. But Jim Essian, catcher for the Chicago White Sox, reacted differently. He said, "Because I am a Christian, those things are not bothering me." He went on to say that since the Savior had come into his heart, baseball was no longer his whole life. He was satisfied with a simpler lifestyle that did not place him in financial jeopardy. He also said he did not fear the future because as a child of God he knew it was secure in the Father's hands. He summed up his comments this way: 'The Christian life is the only way to live!" (Copied)

• •Save all the Money you can Save. 

This truth is underscored by those preparing for Y2K. Putting away today for what we will need tomorrow is sound planning, whether it relates to the new millennium or for retirement.

What is your savings plan? Are you saving at least 10% of your income? A healthy savings account does not guarantee financial security. Proverbs 11:6 teaches us that our security is in our relationship with God not our assets. "The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires."

• •Give all the Money you can Give. 

Think about it. Are you more likely to help a tight-fisted person, or one who always helps others? Today you help someone; tomorrow you may need help yourself.

A cheerful giver uses money to help others because she loves people and trusts God. Trust leads her to give to God, compassion drives her to help others. 

Are you generous? 

As a little boy was walking down the street with his mother, he told her that when he grew up and earned a lot of money he was going to help a missionary. He said, "I think I'll support a whole mission station and a hospital too." "Are you sure you'll feel that way when you get the money?" asked his mother. "Oh, I know I will!" he answered confidently. "If I had it right now, I'd give it; but you know I don't have any." Just then he spotted a coin on the sidewalk. Before his mom could get out the word "missionary," he had darted into a nearby store. Moments later he emerged with a pocketful of his favorite candy. (Copied)

Make all the money you can make, keep all the money you can keep, save all the money you can save, and give all the money you can give. If you will follow these Biblical principles, you will be more likely to make ends meet.