Published by There are 3 steps towards true financial freedom.
1st step – The Need for a Paradigm Shift
Financial freedom is often viewed as a person who can maintain his or her comfort without working. However, this is a wrong perspective. We are created to work not to be lazy.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul wrote that we are saved by God’s grace, not by work. However, in Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul clearly wrote that after we are saved we are able to do the good works which God has prepared for us in advance. This means that we are created to work in the first place, however, we cannot fulfill the good work God has intended for us because of our sins. But, because of God’s grace and His gift of salvation, we are able to complete the good work God has intended and prepared for us in the first place.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, the Apostle Paul strongly advocated that those who do not work, do not eat.
King Solomon wrote that we are to learn from the ants. He called the ants wise. Not only the ants are diligent, they are wise. (Proverbs 6:6)
Hence, our perception of financial freedom need to change! Financial freedom is not stop working or not working. Rather, it is to be like the ants and to be wise in managing the finance. Not to be managed by the finance.
2nd step – The Need to Identify the Master
There is quote that writes “Money is a good servant, but a dangerous master”
Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24 that we cannot serve two masters, we can only serve either God or Money.
The Apostle Paul wrote that whenever anyone who turns to God, our veil (including the misconception of financial freedom) will be removed and we will gain freedom (including financial freedom) in 2 Corinthians 3:16-17.
The Apostle Paul warned us, in Hebrews 13:5, to keep away from the love of money, not to keep away from money. He told us how we can be contented. He told us that we can be contented because of what we have. What we have? We have a God who will never leave us nor forsake us.
Paul had walked his talk when we read in Philippians 4. The most wrongly quoted verse is Philippians 4:13 when Paul said that he could do all things through God who gives him strength. Often, we are challenged to do impossible things because of Philippians 4:13 to an extreme like jumping down from the building or flying like superman. Paul was not saying that he could fly like superman nor moved the mountain with his faith. He was actually saying that he can endure poverty and enjoy prosperity because of God. He was actually saying that he could make do with either in riches or in poor. And, this is affirmed by the verse prior to verse 13. In verse 12, he told us that he knew what was it liked to be in need or what is it liked to have plenty and he had learnt to be contented in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry.
In Galatians 5:1, the Apostle Paul enlightened us that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. He warned us not to subject to the yoke of slavery again. The slavery to a dangerous master – money.
3rd step – The Need to Identify the Servant
Is money evil then? The Bible has never written that money is evil. The Apostle Paul wrote that it is the love for money that births all kinds of evil. ( 1 Timothy 6:10) and not the money itself.
We can read the hint that Jesus has expected us to put money to work until He comes back in Luke 19:13. We are to put the money to good use. We are, in fact, accountable to put the money to good use like the first two servants and not to be like the lazy servant with one talent.
Remember the compliment from King Solomon for the ants? He complimented that the ants is not only hardworking but also wise. Ants are wise because they knew how to manage their food. (Proverbs 30:25) And, I believe that if the ants have money, they will know how to manage money. They will know when to store the money and when to use the money.
In conclusion, to gain true financial freedom, we need to have a paradigm shift of what we thought financial freedom means, to identify who is the real master and who is the real servant. This truth will set us free, financially free indeed.
