Keeping Good Financial Records Pleases God

**fennywest** Sat 24 Sep 2011, 9:03 am

Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever …. (Proverbs 27:23-24a NLT)
When you think of following Jesus, you probably don’t think about keeping good financial records, but God wants you to keep track of what you spend, what you owe, and what you earn.
The Bible says we need to watch our financial interests closely. “Know the state of your flocks ….” Today we might say, “Know the state of your stocks.” In other words, we need to know where our money is going. People say money talks, but actually it just walks away quietly. And you wonder where it went.
Not knowing where your money is going equals disaster. You get into debt because you’re not keeping good records that show you what is happening with your finances. As the saying goes, you end up spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need to impress people you don't even like.
And this causes all kinds of problems in your life. When you wonder where it all went, that is a warning sign. You are already in trouble if you don't know where your money is going, because ignorance and easy credit equal trouble.
You need to know what you owe, own and earn. You have to keep good records, because riches can disappear fast.
Think about this: If you spent as much time writing down your finances as you do worrying about them, you'd probably have a lot less to worry about. You need to keep good records if you want God's blessing on your finances.
What will you do this week to get your records in order? If you are gifted in this area and already have your finances in order, who will you help to get their finances in order?

Saddleback Resources offers Managing Our Finances God’s Way, a 7-week, video-based study for small groups or individuals that will inspire you to live debt-free and/or manage finances in a way that enables you to respond to God’s calling on your life.

Rick Warren