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Today on MoneyLife

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Chuck Bentley: Why Money Can't Solve Money Problems

Download and listen to this program. To download MP3, click here

Chuck kicks off today's program with an interesting story about Jerry Hodge, the Mayor of Amarillo, Texas, who found buried treasure--literally!

Mr. Hodge was putting in a swimming pool when workers dug up a bag containing 300 Morgan silver dollars in mint condition dating back to 1887.

A treasure for coin collectors, perhaps, but a fortune, sadly no. The coins are worth only about $20 to $30 each.

Most people think having more money will solve their financial problems, but experience shows us differently. Chuck gives examples of people who won the lottery but lost all the money. Incredibly, statistics show 80% of lottery winners are broke within 5 years.

If you understand that more money isn’t the solution to your money problems, you probably think your behavior is the problem. Chuck calls "financial behaviorism" the belief that if you learn the right way to handle the money, your money problems will be solved.

God's Word says your behavior is not the problem, it’s what you believe that causes trouble. What you believe determines your behavior. We believe God is real and that He intervenes in people’s lives and helps them at their point of need.

God is the solution to your money problem. He wants to change what you believe in your heart about money. Then, He’ll change your behavior about money. When this happens, you have permanent life change and eternal joy.

We want to teach you how to know God through His Word and apply His truth to your life. Chuck mentions the Sudden Money Institute, an organization that helps individuals who come into great sums of money unexpectedly.

God wants to change what you believe about money. He wants you to get to know Him and allow Him to impact every decision.

Start by surrendering your money problem in prayer and asking God for His help. Confess where you’ve been wrong and admit you’re struggles and failures.

He will give you grace as you humble yourself. Repent of the things you’ve done and be obedient to what the Lord shows you to do. There is a cost to obtaining a goal, that is, doing things differently than you’ve done in the past.

You have to begin to apply God’s Word to your decisions. When you have a decision to make, go to Scripture for the answer. Whatever brings glory to God and makes you more like Christ is what you should do.

Follow God’s plan for a long period of time: Learn to give and be generous in all ways, learn to save, learn to control your spending, get out of debt and invest wisely.

God solves your money problems when you turn to Him and ask Him what He wants you to do. Chuck sites Matthew 19:16-26:

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?'

'Why do you ask me about what is good?' Jesus replied. 'There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.'

'"Which ones?' the man inquired.

Jesus replied, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

'All these I have kept,' the young man said. 'What do I still lack?'

Jesus answered, '"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

hen the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, '"Who then can be saved?'

Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

The rich young ruler believed his identity was his money and possessions. That's why Jesus told him to give it all away before following Him.

Chuck’s closing thoughts:

When you have a money problem, turn to Jesus
Tell him your needs
He is faithful and will respond
Chuck cites 2 verses:

Chuck Bentley and Howard Dayton will take questions in a live “Town Hall Meeting” in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on August 19 from 4-6 p.m. for listeners of MoneyLife affiliate WMBW. For more information, contact WMBW.

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