QUESTIONS IN MALACHI Denying God His rightful tithes

QUESTIONS IN MALACHI

Denying God His rightful tithes and offerings will draw us away from God.

Faithful, generous, sacrificial giving does a number of things in our lives… - It proves that God, not our possessions, is in control of our lives. - It helps us conquer greed, and the “I want more” disease that plagues so many North Americans. - It helps us manage God’s resources properly by allocating them to the proper places. - It opens us up to receiving God’s blessings.

The question is not, “Do you have money”, the question is, “Does money have you? ” It’s the LOVE of money that is at the root of all evil according to 1 Tim. 6: 10.

“It is human nature to want it and want it now; it is also a sign of immaturity. Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. However, our culture teaches us to live for the now. ‘I want it’ we scream, and we get it if we are willing to go into debt. Debt is the means to obtain the ‘I wants’ before we can afford them. ” Dave Ramsey, TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER

Principles to live by… - Spend less than you make - Control the Credit Cards - Get information

INVESTMENTS $1000 initial investment $100 per month @ 8% average interest 20 years TOTAL- $63, 968. 46 - $25, 000 is money you put in - $33, 968. 46 is interest earned 40 years TOTAL - $357, 461. 77 - $49, 000 is money you put in - $308, 461. 77 interest earned

CREDIT CARDS $100 balance @18. 5% interest 20 years TOTAL OWED - $ 2, 981. 03 40 years TOTAL OWED - $88, 865. 77 $5000 balance After 1 year TOTAL OWED - $5925. 00 $925 INVESTED @ 8% 20 years TOTAL GAINED - $4311. 30 40 years TOTAL GAINED - $20, 095. 18

Principles to live by… - Spend less than you make - Control the Credit Cards - Get information - Establish a budget

1. Save $1000 as a starter emergency fund. 2. Systematically start paying off debt, starting with the smallest balance first. 3. Finish your emergency fund by saving 3 -6 months of expenses. 4. Work on putting away 15% of your gross income towards retirement savings. 5. Save for college for the kids. 6. Pay off your home mortgage. 7. Use your money for its intended purposes. Use it for FUN, use it to continue to INVEST, and use it to GIVE AWAY to others.