Especially During a Pandemic
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 10:22
If the current financial condition has caught you off guard just like the global pandemic, you need to know there is hope! However, that knowledge is not being taught in our school systems today. It seems that we now have many generations going out into the world, not knowing how to control their money and make their money prosperous, yet we sure are given the opportunity and ability to spend it just a fast as it comes to us.
Never Forsake Small Beginnings
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Zechariah 4:10
Even a penny, when saved continuously, with patience and consistency, will produce abundance. You see, we have to take charge, be consistent, and be patient even during a pandemic. Money only does what it is told to do. Whether gained by ill means or not, a dollar bill can only become what the owner tells it to be. Do you want your dollar to make you more dollars? Do you need it to become a bike, a car, a house? You see, money in itself is not bad. It doesn’t have that much power. Only the owner of the money can tell it to do good things or bad things. And when we fall into traps, we can use it for idols we have established over our lives instead of using it for good.
It Is Better To Give Than To Receive
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
The spirit in which you give a dollar remains with the giver of the dollar, not the dollar itself. For example, you give $10 to the homeless man on the street. Did you provide it to make his life better? Did you give it because he asked for money for food? Did you give it because someone of influence would see you do it? Did you give it because the Holy Spirit directed you to? Did you give it out of obedience to what you’ve learned in the Bible? I could go on and on, but you can see the point. Now, if he turns and goes to the ABC store and does not get food, the money will carry out what he chooses to do with it, not what you intended. Yet, the Lord sees in your heart and what your intention was along with his.
Abraham’s Intentions Were Pure
Abraham is the Father of our Faith, and we can see his intention was directed by the Holy Spirit when he paid a tithe to Melchizedek in Genesis chapter 14. Abram (his name before God changed it in Genesis 17:5) heard that his brother’s son, Lot, was taken captive by the kings of Babylon, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim. Abram gathered his 318 trained servants and pursued them. His men defeated the attackers and brought back everything the enemy had stolen, women and other people, including Lot and his possessions. Abram then went home, and the king of Salem, Melchizedek, refreshed him with bread and wine and blessed Abram. Abram then gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had brought back from the enemy. Why did he do that? Because Abram knew that without God, he would not have won the battle. He did not place his knowledge of warfare, and his men’s training above the strength he knew came from God to defeat the professional armies of kings.
Godly Financial Advice During a Pandemic From Our Expert
To get a real-world perspective, we contacted Karen Beth Ford of KBF Money Managing. She is a certified Master Financial Coach, and has written four books, including Money Matters, Money Nuggets, and You Can Do It! Real Estate Investing Made Simple. She has helped many people regain control of their money and get on the road to prosperity through godly principles and sound financial teaching.
When Karen’s gifting in financial management was realized by her, after several people and her pastor pointed it out, she began to pursue her financial training. She became certified and started her journey as a financial coach.
I have a passion for people. I have a passion for helping people.
Karen Ford, KBF Money Managing
“I am a registered nurse but have not practiced as a nurse for several years. However, I’m still helping people. As a nurse, I help people get healthy physically, and as a Master Financial Coach, I am helping people get healthy, financially. And in the days we are living in right now, having the reigns on your money, that’s imperative. It is really imperative for people to get their finances in order.”
We Asked A Few Questions To Get Karen’s Expert Advice
What have been the bright lights you have seen in people you’ve coached during the pandemic?
“I would have to say that those who haven’t tithed, began tithing, and are seeing breakthroughs.
“Some people that may be on unemployment and may be struggling financially, I certainly have a heart and compassion for their situation, but people that are tithing even in the midst of this pandemic are seeing significant breakthroughs in their finances.
“Some people are getting raises. It’s amazing. Some people have received a bonus–in the middle of a pandemic! With the economy the way it is, they are prospering. To me, that is God! Who else can prosper in the middle of a pandemic?”
Has there been an increased interest in how to manage money?
“Sometimes people feel embarrassed if they have a money issue. Sometimes people feel they are less-than because they are in a financial predicament. They feel shame. But God never called us to have shame in our life. Whether it’s through sin or mistakes we have made. Whatever the case may be, He doesn’t want us to have shame or embarrassment about it. We have to acknowledge we have a financial problem, humble ourselves, and ask for God’s help. Individuals who receive coaching are doing an act of humility because you share your financial situation with somebody who doesn’t know you, confidentially. God took sin and shame and all of it on the Cross so that we wouldn’t have to walk in that.”
What are the top two things someone should do about their finances?
“Number one, tithe. If you are not tithing, begin to tithe and don’t stop—number two, budget. Budget is not a four-letter word. A budget can be your best friend because the budget is you telling your money what you want it to do. If you don’t have a budget, then your money is not under control. It’s going wherever, and at the end of the month, you are wondering what happened to it.”
What would be your final word to those who find themselves stressed due to their finances?
“No matter what your financial situation is, whether you are up to your eyeballs in debt; whether you have shame and wish I would have handled my financial situation better, I want to say there is hope! There is always hope. There is hope for you to get out of debt. There is hope for you to take control of your finances. And when we are in Christ, there is always hope!”
There is always hope. There is hope for you to get out of debt. There is hope for you to take control of your finances. And when we are in Christ, there is always hope!
Karen Ford, KBF Money Managing
For more information, to purchase books, or to schedule a consultation you can reach Karen at KBF Money Managing online at https://karenford.org.
For more encouraging advice browse Karen’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/KBFMoneyManaging
Feature Image: Bigstock.com | Unless otherwise attributed, scripture quotations are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible.
