Guided Gratitude: Finances
Welcome to Day 2 of our Guided Gratitude series leading up to Thanksgiving Day!
We recently heard a pastor say, "Money isn't the root of all evil. The love of money is the root of all evil." That explains why money is talked about over 2,000 times in the Bible. That's more than faith and prayer combined! God knew that having money would make us just as vulnerable to sin as not having money. In other words, no one is immune to the temptation of putting money over God. By viewing our finances as something that God has given us (as opposed to something we have earned), we are humbled and our focus shifts back to God's goodness. The best way to show our gratitude is by being good stewards of what He has given us, and this includes our finances.
Daily Gratitude Prompt
Start by saying "Today, I am grateful for finances.” This might be easy for some of you and hard for others. Which group can you relate to? Do you look at your finances as a good thing or a struggle?
If your answer is a good thing:
How easy is it for you to be generous? What do you give back to God? Can you find ways to donate to causes that you care about?
If your answer is a struggle:
Start with what you have today. Think about the very last thing you spent money on - are you thankful you were able to do that? If your community offers free events, be thankful for those (and go to them!). Try focusing on things you can control, like your financial habits, more than things you may have less control over, like inflation or your income.
Daily Gratitude Scripture
Verse 1: Luke 16:10 NIV
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Verse 2: Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Gratitude in Practice: Meditate on these scriptures today. Dive deeper by researching the original translation or re-writing them over and over (this is called “scripture writing”).
Daily Gratitude Prayer
Lord, hear my prayer.
Thank you for the resources that I have been given. I pray that you help me be a good steward of my finances, no matter if I have a little or a lot, because everything I have is a gift from you. Guard my heart from coveting, comparison, & greed and may I never love money more than I love you.
Amen
