NEXT STEPS - "My Sword, My Money"

During the conversation this past Sunday, we mentioned several resources that are available to you with regard to seeking financial counsel and gaining Biblical wisdom with regard to financial stewardship.

From Dave Ramsey's financial advice to Kiplinger magazine's investment strategies; from Dr, Ruby Payne's study on understanding poverty to Crown ministries Biblical stewardship advice; we covered a huge topic in broad strokes - all in the hope that we, as followers of Christ would master our finances instead of allowing our finances to master us.

I want to share this brief story with you from the book, YOUR MONEY COUNTS, by Howard Dayton, founder of Crown ministries. I think it is a poignant look at how many people may view their finances with regard to submission to the Scripture.

On page 11 he writes, "When the Crusades were being fought during the 12th century, the Crusaders employed mercenaries to fight on their behalf. Because it was a religious war, the crusaders insisted that the mercenaries be baptized before fighting. As they were being baptized, the mercenaries would hold their swords out of the water to symbolize the one thing in their life that Jesus Christ did no control. They had the freedom to use the swords in any way they wished."

Dayton continues, "Today many people handle their money in a similar fashion, through they may no be as obvious about it. They hold their wallet or pursue 'out of the water', in effect saying, 'God, You can be the Lord of my entire life except for my money. I am perfectly capable of handing that myself.'"

Hmmm...Interesting story...

You can check out more resources from Crown ministries at www.crown.org.


For more NEXT STEPS, please visit: http://www.livingwaters.org/resources/next-steps.html