“Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet … anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Ex. 20:17).
The Hebrew word for “covet” can also be translated “desire.” Impulse buying is a heart problem that, if left unchecked, will lead to a lifestyle which will entrap you quickly. Today could be that point in your life where you get so sick of financial slavery that you will exit onto the road to financial freedom. You can do this, pastor!
“It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.” Prov. 20:25
3. Poor financial planning
Financial discipline involves more than avoiding traps. Long-term success must include a simple, solid financial plan (a.k.a. budget). Before you roll your eyes or delete this post, hear me out. Your financial plan does not have to include envelopes or a 13-part video to succeed. You just need to customize a simple plan with your wife that keeps track of income and expenses. If expenses are exceeding income, the plan needs to be tweaked. Immediately.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. God did not call you to be an expert on everything. He did however call you to “manage your household competently” (1 Tim. 3:4).
4. Stealing from God
I used to assume that all of my staff members tithed. I was wrong. Likely some of you are in this same avoidable trap of disobedience.
“Tithe” means 10 percent, and is taught in the OT and NT (Mal. 3:8-9; Prov. 3:9; Num. 18:21; Matt. 23:23). Moses taught it, Jesus endorsed it and your grandparents practiced it (and lived within their means). Jesus didn’t mention it often because it was already an established given. When He did, it was posed as a rare commendation to the Pharisees.
According to Ellison Research, less than 1:10 give 10 percent or more to a church or charity, although 51 percent believe in tithing. Only 3-5 percent of the people who donate to a church actually “tithe” (Barna). Once again, normal is overrated and underblessed.
5. Procrastination/Denial
I have observed way too many ministers struggle in silence for years. They can hide it from their church and family for a season, but eventually the law of sowing and reaping kicks in, and they are in big trouble.
Give your wife the security she deserves by taking the financial bull by the horns today. Manage your house and God’s house wisely by exposing, then overcoming, these traps, one day at a time.
