Wise Money Managers Look Ahead

Current Teaching Series When You're Hoping for a Miracle

Wise Money Managers Look Ahead By Rick Warren — Feb 18, 2018 “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB). Money is a tool to be used for God’s purposes. We’re not to hoard it. We’re not to stockpile it. We’re not to worship it. We’re to use it! Use temporary resources — what God has put in your hands — for permanent good. In the story of the dishonest but shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-13, Jesus made him the hero of the story. The manager knew he was going to be fired, so he decided to make some friends by lowering the debts owed to his master. What did Jesus like about this guy? He’s dishonest, but he did three things right — three things that are lessons God wants you to learn and apply to your finances. The manager looked ahead. Most people never look ahead when it comes to their finances. Studies show that we’re saving very little, and that’s not smart. Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (TLB). The manager made a plan. How do you know if you’ve got a financial plan? It’s really simple: Do you have a budget? A budget is simply planned spending. A budget is telling your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went. You’ve got to have a plan. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “We should make plans — counting on God to direct us” (TLB). The manager acted quickly. Luke 16:4 says, “I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired” (NLT). The manager didn’t procrastinate; he didn’t delay. He set his plan in motion. He didn’t say, “Someday I’m going to get my finances in order” or “Someday I’m going to start saving for retirement.” Jesus is not commending the manager’s dishonesty but his attitude, which says, “I’m going to think ahead. I’m going to make a plan. And I’m going to invest in relationships that will benefit others and me in the future.” That’s smart! And Jesus wants you to do the same when it comes to your finances. Are you spending your treasure here on Earth or looking ahead and storing up treasure in Heaven? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over  What facts do you need to face up to in your finances?  How do you need to start planning for the future when it comes to your finances?   What do you want to accomplish in the future with your money?  How have you procrastinated when it comes to managing your finances and   saving for the future? What can you do today to move forward in these areas?

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Series Summary Session 1: When You're Running Out of Everything Session 2: When You Can't See Your Way Clearly Session 3: When You've Come Up Empty Session 4: When You Feel You're Sinking Session 5: When a Marriage Has Ended Session 6: When You're Drowning in Debt Session 7: When a Friend is Dying PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe