Committing to Biblical Stewardship in 2017 Is One Resolution You Should Keep
New Year’s resolutions are commonplace, even though many aren’t kept past Valentine’s Day.
But especially after Christmas spending, many commit to getting their finances in order the following year. And that’s one resolution everyone should keep.
Christians vowing to be financially healthy in 2017 should go one step further.
Every day through our national program, “Financial Issues,” we hear from Americans who desperately want to escape the trap of financial fear and honor God with their money. True obedience to the Bible’s teachings about finances encompasses spending, saving and investing. And the start of a new year is the perfect time to improve our relationship with money and how we relate to the Lord in this area of our lives.
Christians can honor God by choosing companies that are not associated with immoral or anti-biblical issues, such as having stake in Planned Parenthood, pornography, same-sex marriage or other matters that should be concerning to Christians.
Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries educates investors by researching the organizations that corporations support and then encourages biblically responsible investing so that God is honored.
Often we don’t think about where our money lands in our mutual funds, but it’s crucial that every American pays close attention to where their money is going, who is handling it and how. Christians, in particular, should be very concerned if their hard-earned income is being funneled into organizations that not only tear down society, but are also extremely displeasing to God.
Celia also offers these four guidelines for committing to biblical stewardship in 2017:
- Remember that God owns everything, not just what we give to Him.
- Learn to be a good steward of God’s blessings.
- Become comfortable and knowledgeable in your investment strategies and financial decisions.
- Give freely to His work.
As we consider being biblically responsible with our money—which comes from God in the first place—and when we think about doing what is right, we must consider all aspects, from buying items in the checkout line to purchasing stock to owning mutual funds. In these uncertain times, we must get it right in every possible way and, in particular, be biblically responsible in everything—especially our finances. It will take us being determined to fight against the things that dishonor God, and that includes investment in companies that dishonor biblical principles.
Dan Celia is President and CEO of Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, Inc., and host of the nationally syndicated radio and television program “Financial Issues,” heard daily on more than 600 stations across the country and reaching millions of households on the National Religious Broadcasters Network, BizTV and Dove-TV. To learn more, visit www.financialissues.org.
(This article first appeared HERE on cnsnews.com)