January 1 - dfree® Devotions for Financial Freedom

Verse
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
Whenever I start anything, I always want to start at the beginning. To do otherwise is to engage in thought, discussion or action without understanding what is really going on. I can't tell you how many years it took me to learn that with my cars. I have been so guilty of just driving the car without first understanding how the car operates. When something went wrong with the car, then I would start reading through the owner's manual to find out what the people who made the car had to say about making necessary corrections. And what I have learned about cars (and other devices that are made by humans) is that the problem is generally not as bad as I thought before I read the instructions.

That too is how life is. And our finances are a key part of our lives. The problem that many of us have is that we wait until we have a problem with our finances before we try to figure out what money is all about. So let's begin our journey together by starting at the beginning. Notice the beginning is not about money or cars or credit cards or real estate or any other "thing" that can become a challenge to us. Our owner's manual, The Bible, describes the beginning as being all about God. All of what we know to be real, originated in the mind of God and was created by the will and word of God. So if God is our beginning, then we should take more seriously the opportunity we have to understand God's ideas as it relates to our finances.

Yes. I am saying that since God made everything and got everything started, the solutions to our finances can be found in God. No - not all wealthy people are people of faith or believers in God. But you will find that all financial success uses the principles taught in the Bible. If God was able to get all of this started, then God must be smart enough to show us how to grow it and keep it going.

So we begin our journey with this reminder - that it all begins with God. Let's pray.

Prayer
"Dear God: Thank you for creating everything and everyone. We sometimes become so impressed with our own achievements and overwhelmed by our challenges, that we forget that this is all your idea. Help us to stay focused on your presence, your power and your purpose. Amen."