Our Lord Jesus Christ wants al l the dimensions of our l ives, including our f inancial responsibil it ies and

resources, to be directed and guided by the Holy Spirit .

The Lord asks that we open our hearts to the Spirit and al low Him to give us a Christ ian outlook on our

possessions and money and on how to manage them wisely

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FINANCE

A. Everything belongs to God.

Psalm 24:1 – The Lord’s are the earth and its ful lness; the world and those who dwell in it .

Haggai 2:8 – Mine is the si lver and mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts”

PRINCIPLES F CHRISTIAN FINANCE

B. We are merely stewards of what belongs to God.

• We are not masters over the things God has entrusted to us.

• We are to manage what has been entrusted to us wisely, unself ishly and in accordance with God's plan.

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FINANCE

C. It is God who enables us to acquire wealth.

Proverbs 10:22 “It is the Lord’s blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it . :

Ecclesiastes 5:18 “Any man to whom God gives r iches and property , and grants power to partake of them, so that he receives his lot and finds joy in the fruits of his toil , has a gift from God.

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FINANCE

C. It is God who enables us to acquire wealth.

Without God's blessings, we would not have the good things we have.

1 Corinthians 4:7 “Name something you have that you have not received. If then, you have received it , why are you boasting as if it were your own?

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FINANCE

C. It is God who enables us to acquire wealth.

Our minds, our education, business opportunit ies, "good luck", al l are ours only by God's grace.

Sirach 11:14 “Poverty and r iches are from the Lord.

Sirach 11:21 “ It is with the Lord suddenly, in an instant, to make a poor man rich.”

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN FINANCE

C. It is God who enables us to acquire wealth.

We should use our finances (wealth and possessions) to glorify God and participate in the spread of His Kingdom.

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth.

TITHING

Definit ion – the t ithe consist of ten percent (10%) of an individuals income after taxes from whatever source, i .e. , wages, rents, investments business etc .

The tithe is given to the immediate body of Christ of which one is a part, and where one draws support for one’s Christian l ife.

It is given to support the work of the Lord

TITHING

Malachi 3:7b-10 Return to me, that I may

return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, “Why should we return?" Can anyone rob God? But you are robbing me! And you say, “How have we robbed you?”Of tithes and contributions! You are indeed accursed, for you, the whole nation, rob me. Bring the whole t ithe into the storehouse, That there may be food in my house. Put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, And see if I do not open the f loodgates of heaven for you, and pour down upon you blessing without measure!

Other Scriptures:- Genesis 14:20- Leviticus 27:30- Numbers 18: 26-29- Deuteronomy 14:22-27- Proverbs 3:9- Matthew 23:23- Luke 18:12- Hebrew 7: 4-9

Tithing is not part of our Covenant in SFC, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR LIFE AS GROWING CHRISTIANS.

However, we encourage tithing as means of moving our members forward in their growth in the Lord.

SFC Uses its income from tithes and Contributions to pay the fol lowing:

- Evangelization.- Support for missionaries- Formation of members- Community activit ies- Administration- Donations for needy

members- Purchase of assets as

needed- International mission

SFC members are encouraged to be generous in supporting f inancial ly the work of the Church, both in the parish as wel l as the CFC mission

SFC members are encouraged to remit their t ithe monthly.

The Proper Perspective-It is important to give not because of the need for our money, but because it is just the r ight thing to do.-In fact, whi le we see that God's work needs money, God Himself does not! He owns the universe.-The practical need for money is just His way of giving us the privi lege of being His co-workers in Kingdom-building-Focus not so much on the 10%, but on the 90% we keep for ourselves!

What If I Do Not Have Enough??Luke 21:1-4

He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, “Truly I tel l you, this poor widow has put in more than al l of them; for they al l contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in al l she had

No one has too l itt le that he has nothing to give. We trust in the Lord’s providence and that He honors our faithfulness

ROADMAP TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

Financial stabil ity al lows us to share more with others and in God’s work.

Proper stewardship of our f inances includes managing and using it wisely.

A. Remember that God desires our abundance.-We use different units- We use different standards

ROADMAP TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

B. Trust God for Provisions.

Luke 12:22-34 He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tel l you, do not worry about your

l ife and what you wi l l eat, or about your body and what you wil l wear. For l ife is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your l ifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toi l or spin. But I tel l you, not even Solomon in al l his splendor was dressed l ike one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, wi l l he not much more provide for you, O you of l itt le faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things wi l l be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, l ittle flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also wi l l your heart be.

ROADMAP TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

C. Do our Part.Financial stabil ity can be approached in two ways. First is to increase our source of income. Second, is to decrease our expenses. IIn both approaches, we end up with having more resources

to share and to give back to God and sti l l have enough for our own needs.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENC

EA. INCREASE

SOURCE OF FUNDS

- SALARIES- There is NO easy

way to make money unless it is a scam or it is i l legal .

- Learn to earn money the old-fashioned way which is through hard work, innovation and resourcefulness.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENC

EA. INCREASE

SOURCE OF FUNDS

- PASSIVE INCOME- Augment your salary

with passive income which is defined as income earned without working for it actively.

- Some forms of passive income include money market investments, stock market, rental income, etc.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENC

EA. INCREASE

SOURCE OF FUNDS

- BUSINESS- Cultivate the

entrepreneurial spirit in you.

- If capital is a problem, start with something smal l and sustainable.

- Beware however, that not everyone is cut out for business

PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENC

EA. INCREASE

SOURCE OF FUNDS

- DEBT- Beware of debt. Do not

borrow with the notion that eventual ly you wil l earn

- Beware of credit cards.- Think of the card as cash you

left a home or cash that is in the bank. a lways l ive within your means to avoid the use of credit cards.

- Not al l debt is bad. Just have the discipl ine to know when and how much to borrow.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL

INDEPENDENCEB. Decrease our Uses of

funds1. Simplify your l ifestyle.2. Learn how to save.Formula for saving:Income – expense = SavingsVs.Income – Savings = ExpenseBonus Formula:Savings = at least 10% salaryTithe = 10 % salaryIncome – (Savings + Tithes) =

Expense3. Make a budget Plan

Be generous - Give, Give, Give! Pay the proper taxes. Even our Lord paid taxes.“When they came to Capernaum, the col lectors of the temple tax

approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said.” (Mt 17:24-27)

Share with the Poor.“God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in al l

things, always having al l you need, you may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8)Purchase of assets as needed

Remember the f loodgates God promised us Remember to store treasures not here on earth

“I wil l bless you and make your home great, and upon you wil l be a blessing.” (Gen 12:2)