Upwards Church

At Upwards Church we believe that one of the greatest measures of our spiritual maturity is how we handle the resources that God has put into our hands. On this page, you will find a number of tools to help you manage your money wisely.

Below are some Exell Spreadsheets.  Just click on the one you want to view.  You may open or save to your computer. Put in your numbers and it adds all your totals and percentages for you:

PersonalFinancialPlan

PersonalFinancialProfile

MonthlyBudgetLedger

For those taking Financial Peace University here are Dave Ramsey’s materials, just click to view or save or print.  Included in these forms are the instructions of how to use them:

FPU_Quickie-Budget

FPU_Monthly_Cash_Flow_Plan_forms

It is my prayer that you will grow spiritually in the area of stewardship.

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Planning is an essential element for any financial program, but it is particularly important for followers of Christ. Too often Christ followers argue whether they should plan at all. Some say that God does not expect us to plan but, rather, to rely on Him for everything. Others say that we should plan every minute of our lives, covering all potential circumstances and situations. These plans are so inflexible that they no longer responsive to God’s leading. The answer lies somewhere between the two.

Getting Started with a Plan
The first place to start is to develop a change of attitude.¹ This attitude must be founded on the premise that God owns it all and we are only managers of what He has entrusted to us to manage. Therefore this plan must be according to God’s directives, His principles, and His convictions. By maintaining this type of relationship, there will be little temptation to make financial decisions instantly (or before praying and thinking about the decision) or to become involved in get-rich-quick schemes.

Next, the plans must be flexible. Do not make plans that are totally dependent on financial increases. Sometimes God’s will is accomplished by a loss rather than a gain. Practice patience. Nevertheless, don’t change plans just because somebody else encourages a change from the developed plan.

The plan needs to be written. A written plan provides a visible and objective standard to work toward, and it will help measure progress better and keep the plan on track. An example of a written plan is a family budget. A budget shows where the family is financially, how much the family is currently spending, and how much the family can spend according to the current income. Very few, if any, families with financial difficulties have a written plan.

The primary ingredients necessary to develop a plan are goals. Plans are generally divided into short-range plans, which are centered around short-range goals, and long-range plans, which are centered around long-range goals.

Short-Range Plans
Short-range plans are those that happen daily and require attention today. Short-range plans are basically day-to-day occurrences. Included in this day-to-day schedule should be some sort of plan for paying bills. In order to develop a short-range plan, five short-range goals should be considered:

1. Excellence. God wants us, as Christ followers, to excel at whatever we do to the best of our ability. We can excel at whatever we do daily, without egotism, and expect excellence as part of our daily goals.
2. Limit credit. A part of every short-range plan is to limit and curtail the use of credit. God’s best is to adopt a cash-only policy. This doesn’t mean that Christ followers shouldn’t ever use credit cards, but they should use them wisely, always keeping the balance current. The first time the credit card balance extends beyond the month-long, no-interest period, the cards should be destroyed.
3. Set personal family goals. Establish goals relative to the family’s relationship with God and His directives, not what friends, relatives, and neighbors suggest or ask. There are limitless ways to lose money; one of the best is through bad advice given by those the family trusts.
4. Work to honor God. The following are a few questions that Christ followers must answer if their work is to honor God. 1.  Will my daily actions be a witness for Christ? ^2. Can I do my work and honor God? ^3. Am I helping others violate principles that I believe? ⁴ Am I providing a service or simply satisfying an ambition? “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).
5. Establish sharing. Because the tithe is a material testimony to a spiritual commitment, one of the first goals a Christian family should establish is to tithe the first part of their income.

Long-range plans
In addition to short-range planning, Christ followers need to develop long-range plans and visualize their long-range financial objectives. Not every Christ followers will be wealthy; nor should everyone be wealthy. But everyone has a responsibility to plan well, to have good sound objectives, and to operate according to God’s principles. In order to develop long-range plans, four long-range goals should be considered:

1. Set a maximum goal. Families should have a goal of the maximum amount that they want to accumulate. Then once a maximum goal is established, peer approval will cease to be important, and the truth of Proverbs 11:28 will be more apparent: “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.”
2. Have a surplus plan. There should be some specific goals developed for the use of surplus funds that God provides. How much should be returned to the work of the Lord? How much should be invested? How much should be set aside for children’s wants? Establish a surplus plan now, while the opportunity and the capability exist. Do not count on future income or future events.
3. Obey God’s principles. In formulating long-range plans, pay specific attention to obeying God’s principles. Be honest. Never allow the family to be trapped into anything that is unethical, immoral, or dishonest, no matter how inviting it seems. Precondition attitudes so that when the opportunity arises the family will not take advantage of an unfortunate situation but, rather, will show compassion and will do as Christ would do. God also demands obedience to the law of the land, especially tax laws.  
4. Develop a family plan. Christ followers must establish long-range family plans that include family goals that focus on financial priorities, long-range giving goals, education goals for children, estate and family provision goals in case of death, and retirement goals. In addition, there should be a family contingency plan in the event wealth is accumulated faster than anticipated or is lost due to unforeseen disaster.

Conclusion
God is an orderly provider and expects His people also to be orderly. The physical world we live in is not chaotic but is orderly and well planned because God is in control. Finances are just another aspect of the Christ follower’s life that God wants to manage. If we are stewards and God is the owner, then it is His wisdom upon which we must rely. His wisdom is best revealed through regular communication with Him and the study of His Word.

Sources:

1. Larry Burkett, “Answers to Your Questions About Debt and Credit,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1999, p. 7
2. Larry Burkett, “A Guide to Family Budgeting,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1999, p. 2
3. Larry Burkett, “A Guide to Family Budgeting,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1999, pp. 3-4
4. Larry Burkett, Your Finances in Changing Times, Moody, 1975, pp. 77-79
5. Larry Burkett, Your Finances in Changing Times, Moody, 1975, pp. 80-84
6. Larry Burkett, Biblical Principles Under Scrutiny, “Financial Honesty,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1988

Special thanks to Nelson Searcy Coaching for helping me to develop this resource. You may check his web site at www.churchleaderinsight.com

Darrell

www.ridgefellowship.com

Christ followers can best make financial decisions according to God’s plan for their lives by understanding His directives for their lives. Every decision requires a thorough understanding of God’s attitudes, and that understanding comes from studying God’s Word and communicating with Him. If Believers never ask God’s direction regarding investments of financial decisions, they will never receive an answer. There are some specific principles that Believers need to consider when making financial decisions: avoid speculation, keep finances current, keep Christian witness, give—do not loan, never cosign, avoid indulgence, prepare for decreases, and let peace rule.

Avoid Speculation
Believers should seek God’s increase rather than trying to increase their financial worth through speculative schemes. Many times enticing programs and “guaranteed” money-making schemes are not only unethical but border on being illegal. They must assess every so-called opportunity with their relationship with Christ and not let others make financial decisions for them. Instead, every decision must be made in light of individual goals, whether the venture is necessary, and whether it fits into God’s individual plan for their lives. Precondition attitudes to avoid speculative “opportunities.”

Keep Finances Current
Believers need to always manage their finances on a current basis, making no provision in their financial planning to borrow money beyond their abilities to repay. If what is wanted or desired jeopardizes future financial freedom, forget it. Impulse buying, either investment or consumption, is disastrous to budgets. So, when evaluating purchases or investments, always consider the financial obligation in light of known income or available funds.

Plan for tomorrow by prudence today; make plans in light of present circumstances, not on some future event; and maintain the principle of staying debt free.

Keep a Christ-like Witness
Consider every decision, especially financial decisions, on the basis of its effect on the work and reputation of Christ. Therefore God must not be placed into a financial corner and called on only during a time of economic crisis. To blindly pursue a course without a directive from God and then depend on Him to rectify any resultant financial disasters is not God’s will; nor is it according to His plan. As an example, if one must borrow outside of God’s people in order to remain in His will, beware! This course is not according to His plan. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7).

If Believers deal unfairly or unethically with any individual or any business, then it is the Believers’ witness that will suffer.⁴ Therefore, Believers must establish that, no matter what the circumstances are, they will tell the whole truth, keep their vows, make decisions based on God’s directive and God’s plan, maintain financial honesty, and preserve the integrity of Christ in every aspect of life.

Give—do not loan
Believers should avoid lending to those in need if giving is possible.⁵ If someone approaches a Believer, requesting financial help in order to acquire wants or desires, then that request and justification for the request should be seriously questioned. But if that person is in need and God has directed that he or she is to be helped, it is the Believer’s responsibility to supply that need.

Never Cosign
To cosign means to pledge personal assets against the debt of another. It doesn’t matter whether it is personal or business, Scripture specifically forbids this whenever it speaks of surety or striking of hands.⁶ “My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, have given a pledge for a stranger, if you have been snared with the words of your mouth, have been caught with the words of your mouth, do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; since you have come into the land of your neighbor, go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor” (Proverbs 6:1-3). Of all the portions that warn against surety, or cosigning, in Scripture, this seems to be the one that is most explicitly warns against it.

Avoid indulgence
Believers need to learn to discern the difference between needs, wants, and desires in every financial transaction. This applies not only to purchases of material goods but to investments as well. Before buying, determine whether the purchase is a need or desire; then check it against God’s principles. Before investing, determine the reason for investing and what will be done with the money if God blesses with increase.

Many Believers get frustrated because they cannot distinguish between luxuries and necessities. Consequently, they seek fulfillment through the same channels as non-Believers and then wonder why they have fruitless witness for Christ. God wants us to live comfortably, but He does not want us to live lavishly.

Prepare for Decreases
Being prepared for unexpected decreases in funds is a vital part of keeping financially current. Evaluate all financial decisions on the basis of what would happen if there was even a small decrease of income or available funds. Could there be adequate adjustments made to live within new spending parameters without having to go into debt in order to maintain a current lifestyle? Do not operate at the upper limit of income or available funds. Instead, make financial decisions cognizant of the possibility that if there is a sudden drop in income, it may be necessary to reduce current living standards.

Let Peace Rule
Often Believers are not responsive enough to God’s Word or to His presence to hear Him, except through an inner turmoil known as lack of peace. As a last resort, God will use this to provide direction. Accordingly, if He does not give peace, do not get involved.⁷ If a quick decision is required, do not get involved. Take the time to think and to pray about any decision, especially financial decisions that will affect the family, and be determined not to make any financial decision under pressure. “It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it” (Proverbs 10:22).

Conclusion
Become sensitive to God’s guidance by becoming familiar with His directives and leadership procedures, through the study of His Word and by communicating with Him through prayer. He will always provide the right direction for those who seek it. Even when we fail to see the right path clearly in God’s Word or fail to hear Him in prayer, He will never fail to place an unrest or a peace inside that will confirm His preferred course and His will. If we are sensitive, we can usually avoid financial failures and bondage.

Sources:

1. Larry Burkett, Your Finances in Changing Times, Moody, 1975, p. 123
2. Larry Burkett, Biblical Principles Under Scrutiny, “Avoiding Get-Rich-Quick,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1988
3. Larry Burkett, Debt-Free Living, Moody, 1989, p. 100
4. Larry Burkett, Using Your Money Wisely, Moody, 1985, pp. 138-139
5. Larry Burkett, Answers to Your Family’s Financial Questions, Living Books, 1998, p. 101
6. Larry Burkett, Biblical Principles Under Scrutiny, “Surety—What is it?” Christian Financial Concepts, 1986
7. Larry Burkett, Your Finances in Charging Times, Moody, 1975, pp. 127-128

Special thanks to Nelson Searcy Coaching for helping me to develop this resource. You may check his web site at www.churchleaderinsight.com

Darrell

www.ridgefellowship.com