Over the last five years there have been countless articles written that discussed the financial ruin that many cities / states are now facing; some cities even filing bankruptcy. Why? Because the city managers were financially bad stewards of the taxpayer’s money for whom they had been entrusted. In some cities, due to greed, bribes, and bad management, several city managers have been tried in a court of law, found guilty, and are now spending years in prison. Unfortunately, the taxpayers are the ones left holding the debt. Additionally, many cities are now bearing the heavy burden of public union salaries, pensions, medical benefits – all because the labor unions and the politicians became allies for votes and benefits. On top of this, due to the shortsightedness of many politicians (meaning, live for the day – without considering the long term costs), all of the tax money received did not satisfy their insatiable desire to spend more; being compounded where the tax base has been diminished due to lower incomes. Thus, if taxes couldn’t be raised, bonds were issued (that is, borrowing to pay the debt); consequently, there was no fiscal responsibility. And let’s not forget some of the “taxpayers” (I mean the “benefactors” of the increased spending). While it is true that as a society we need to provide some safety nets for those who have genuine needs, this does not mean that we are to create generational programs that keep able bodied people on long term government assistance programs without requiring them to move towards reentering the labor force. If there is no change to break this cycle, in the long run, the tax payers continue to hold the debt.
Although it is true that many cities have experienced these tragedies, it is also true that many families throughout our country have in many ways followed suite. Why? Because long term planning and budgets have been sacrificed for short term spending – whereas, it was unforeseen that the short term spending had long term consequences. Unfortunately, our education system no longer teaches financial accountability – let alone how to create a budget. And sadly, churches too often abdicate their responsibility to teach on financial accountability – especially what it means to live within your means. Prosperity preaching leads one to believe you can “name it and claim it” – even if you can’t “afford it”. Consequently, many families are now standing in ruin – many filing for bankruptcy – because they ignored financial accountability.
The Scriptures teach that we are to be wise managers of the “goods” that God provides us. God provides man many types of “goods” – ranging from life, talents, property, money, food, clothing, and shelter. Yet at the same time, God requires of man a sense of responsibility, conscience, and accountability of the “goods” that He has provided.
1 Corinthians 4:2 states,
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Luke 16:10-12 also states,
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”
The Scriptures also teach that we are to be content with what God provides us; for, He knows what is best for us. Personal responsibility with our finances starts at home, and we must learn to live within our means.
Psalms 37:16 states,
“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”
Proverbs 23:5,
“Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
Philippians 4:11,
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
1 Timothy 6:8,
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
God did not state that He wouldn’t provide some of our heart’s desires – but, we must first be content with what He has already provided. Another thing that is lacking in many homes is a “budget”. A [budget] is a “bag; a little sack, with its contents – the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose.” Failure to [budget] your finances will lead to spending more than your means – and consequences are sure to come. Is it time that you got your house in order? It sure is for our government.
