Remember that God gives us money for four distinct reasons. The key to financial success is managing your money wisely, and that means using it as God intended.

It is not God’s will that men be in financial bondage. Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," John 8:32. The truth known and practiced frees men in many ways, one of which is economically.

The four Biblical principles set forth here are designed to free people from economic bondage and make them more fruitful and effective in the use of their economic resources.

A. God says men ought to work.

1. ‘"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. " Ephesians 4:28.

2. "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. " I Thessalonians 4:11-12.

These verses call not only for honest and consistent work, they also say this is the way to "have lack of nothing." To have need of nothing surely is economic freedom.

3. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread," II Thessalonians 3:10-12.

4. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel," I Timothy 5:8.

B. The best insurance in the world against financial bondage and ruin is work.

1. People who are too lazy to work will have financial troubles.

2. Laziness is of the devil. Solomon said, "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute," Proverbs 12:24. Surely the slothful person who can, but will not, work ultimately finds himself under the hands of those who do work. Listen to Solomon’s description of a lazy man in Proverbs 24:30-34. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding, And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man."

3. Work is as fundamental to Christianity as is holiness, love and honesty. Sometimes it is necessary to work when one doesn’t feel like it. Every job has its drawbacks. The pay is not always good and working conditions can be poor. There are no perfect jobs; yet, men are to work, anyway.

4. Work! It is the centerpiece of financial responsibility and integrity. It is vital to freedom from economic bondage.

A. There is a sure connection between income and "know-how".

1. When one has the "know-how" people need, they will pay that person to get his "know-how." Employers will not long pay those who do not know how to do the work. This is true from the machine shop to the ministry, from construction work to any area of medicine.

2. Thus, the Bible exhorts, "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace. a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee," Proverbs 4:5-9.

B. People who are serious about financial freedom and responsibility get an education.

1. That education may or may not be a formal college education. Those who do not go the formal college route learn some marketable, wage-earning skill.

2. Furthermore, people who want financial freedom never quit learning. They continually seek to upgrade their skills and "know-how." (Philippians 3:13)

A. One will never get out of debt until he pays off all he owes.

1. It is honest and right before God to pay what you owe. Romans 13:7 says, "Render therefore to all their dues." Psalm 37:21 says it is a "wicked" person who "borroweth and payeth not again."

2. Be systematic about paying off your debts. Pay off one, then use the extra money in the next debt/pay cycle to double up another. Don’t use money for non-essentials as long as you are in debt. Apply every available cent to debt retirement. Impose austerity on yourself.

B. Do not be weary or despair in your efforts to get out of debt.

1. The Bible says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not," Galatians 6:9.

2. Debt retirement takes time. The greater the debt, the longer it usually takes to become free. Most people do not get into financial bondage "overnight", and they are not likely to experience an "overnight" freedom. Debt freedom will require a "buckling down" to systematic pay-off over the long haul."

A. Many people live far above their means.

1. Their standard of living exceeds their financial abilities. The gap between where they are and what they can afford is a subtle form of dishonesty. They are taking from another (others) to reach their economic level. In a sense, such ones are stealing. Often, they juggle this debt to keep from crashing financially. The debt grows. Eventually it grows too big to juggle and they declare bankruptcy. That is another way of saying they took from others what they will never repay. All through this process, such ones were abusing others, be they individuals or companies.

2. Beware of living in a house that is too affluent for your economy. Beware of a car which is above your ability to afford. Having a fancy, expensive car or other item which places you in substandard circumstances in other areas of your life is self- deception and misplaced priorities; such conduct is usually rooted in pride and ego.

3. In a very practical sense, many people keep themselves in economic straits by such things as eating out too often, excessive clothing, sporting activities, carelessness and waste.

B. Such ones need to cut back these overhead expenses.

1. Such things as a move to an affordable house, a trade for a less expensive vehicle, giving up a boat or hunting lease, more meals at home and less entertainment can help. Non-essentials should be eliminated.

2. The Bible admonishes along these lines, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness," Timothy 6:8-11. It is this same chapter which says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain," (verse 6).

3. No one can keep spending too much and expect his financial picture to improve.

God’s principles for getting out of debt are very simple, but they work. However, they will not work unless honestly implemented.