THE TROUBLE WITH TREASURE
 
Hay, I want to get rich, Lotto winner gets several million, Big 
Super  Bowl betting highest ever. My horse came in, Grab  of  all 
the loot you can. When I graduate I going to make all the money I 
can.
 
"For  what  shall  it profit a man, if he shall  gain  the  whole 
world, and lose his own soul? These are the words from one of the 
disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, how true they are of the 
society which we live in. What does it profit you, my friend,  if 
you do become rich and in the process neglect your soul,  corrupt 
your  judgment, and leave out God. America seems to be caught  up 
in a material philosophy that says, the more you get the  happier 
you  will  be.  If riches and education were the  answer  to  our 
nations  problems, then why do we have the highest divorce  rate, 
the  highest teen-age pregnancy rate, the highest abortion  rate, 
the  highest  crime rate of any nation? No!  instead  riches  and 
education  without  the God of the Bible will  only  corrupt  our 
nation and strip us of all that is godly, wholesome and right.
 
There  are  many  today  who  are  trapped  by  their   financial 
accumulations  of  their  financial  indebtedness.  However,  the 
spiritual  wealth  of the soul is of greater value than  that  of 
material gain. Financle Freedom starts with a turning to the Lord 
Jesus  Christ  for the forgiveness of sin and eternal  life.  The 
bible states, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 
shall  be saved." (Romans 10:13). This is the beginning of a  new 
life in Christ. Once one has surrendered his life to Christ  then 
he can begin to apply some basic but vital scriptural  principles 
concerning  finances.  Stewardship of the money we possess  is  a 
important  aspect in our lives. Here are a few  basic  principles 
that can help you to reach FINANCIAL FREEDOM:
 
1.   Trust the Lord With Your Finances.
          Seek God direction and wisdom, pray before you buy  for 
          His help.
 
2.   Tithe to a Good Bible Believing Church
          Do  not be afraid to trust God with 10% of your  income 
          The Lord will bless you for consistent giving.
 
3.   Use A Written Budget
         Estimate your income on a monthly Basis, subtract  your           
          monthly bills, gas, food, rent, A good written plan
          is  very important to Financial Freedom.
 
4.   Buy On A Cash Basis
          A. Remove high interest credit cards
          B. Look for the best buy, quality and warranty.
          C.  Go without things you want, buy what  is  necessary           
          and economical. Sacrifice personal luxuries
          D.  Design a savings plan no matter how small it  might 
          be.
 
          If you cannot live like your making $40.000 a year  when 
          you are making $19.000.
 
6.   Avoid The Easy Get Rich Quick Schemes
          A. Lotto
          B. Gambling
          C. Other Get Rich Contests.
 
7.   Trade Up When You Can
          Instead of buying a brand new car, trade up a few years 
          and get the best value for your trade. This will usually
          save you in new car costs and insurance
 
8.   Temporarily Take Second Job
          If  you are in serious financial debt a second  job  or 
          over time will help meet immediate needs. Yet, never
          prolong  a second job or overtime because of the burnout factor.
 
9.   Work Hard
          It is always right to work hard at what you do in order 
          to get ahead. Good planning is accentual  
 
10   Always Be Ethical In Your Work Place.
          God will bless a honest day's work with a honest  day's 
          pay. Be the best worker you can.

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