Overcome the Fear of Money

FEAR OF MONEY
Fear overshadows most of our thoughts about money: fear of not making enough, fear of losing it, fear of investing it properly, or maybe the fear of not getting rid of our debt. According to scripture, Dan says we are not to fear but to trust in the Lord in all things that we do. “Most people are good at trusting the Lord until it comes to money,” shares Dan. In order to be good stewards over what God has given us we have to get rid of the fear and worry about tomorrow. Dan points to Luke 12:34: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. When we change the focus of our hearts that in turn frees us to be infinitely wiser with our money.

DAN’S STORY
Dan grew up in a dysfunctional home. His mother was deaf and a chronic alcoholic. His father was seldom home because he worked three jobs. When his dad spoke to him it was usually something negative. His brother was expected to be the successful one. Incidentally, he was a chronic drug addict and died in a state prison a few years ago. “I was expected to amount to nothing,” shares Dan. After he left the military he wanted desperately to be financially successful – to prove to those around him (especially his family) that he was capable of being successful. “My God was success. My God was work. My treasure was success,” reveals Dan. It took losing huge sums of money, the one thing Dan worshipped, for him to fall apart and come to the knowledge of God. He began his journey by listening to Christian radio at a very low point in his life and finally gave his life to Christ after hearing Dr. Charles Stanley’s show. “Christian radio plays an important part in my life and I am privileged to be a part of it,” Five years later, Dan’s wife, Yvonne, gave her life to Christ.

As an entrepreneur and businessman, Dan started eight corporations and co-founded two others. In 1999, Dan sold his small trust company (managing over 900 million dollars) to go into ministry. He developed and used a biblically responsible system of financial management with great success. He started a radio ministry in 1997 as a part time ministry and has seen the Lord expand and bless this ministry to his current full-time ministry. He is now on over 600 stations and his radio show, Financial Issues, is heard in every state in America and throughout world via the internet. On his show, Dan has interviewed Steve Forbes, Ben Stein, T. Boone Pickens, congressmen, senators and presidential candidates.

YEAR END GIVING
“I believe an excellent starting place for many Christians is supporting the work of ministry and their church with their finances,” shares Dan. Dan offers the following ways to build faith in your life and edge the fear of money out:

• Don’t compartmentalize your money away from God – Worry, procrastination, and disobedience can cause  you to separate faith from your finances.
• Understand why Jesus is the real Treasure – Gain a deeper knowledge of who Jesus Christ really is then your perspective will begin to change. Turn away from your fear and begin to trust God with your money.
• Spend time in prayer – Dan suggests twenty minutes a day in prayer. Also, spend time listening as well.
• Read your Bible with purpose and intent – Spend time reading your Bible each day.
• Expect your seed to be multiplied – Faith moves God. You have to expect God to bless you so you can then bless others.
• Ask God how best to use your wealth if you have been blessed with it - Submit your wealth to God. “Develop your prayer life, knowledge of the Word, and relationship with Him and you’ll begin to sense what, how, and where He wants you to use your resources,” shares Dan.
• Start small but become consistent – Use wisdom. Begin giving a certain amount consistently.
• Watch out for legalism – Don’t substitute a lot of laws or rely totally on the non-biblical mandates of a pastor. Stay in relationship with Him and He’ll guide you.
• Keep a daily motivational check – Always give without the desire for recognition.
• Become Heavenly Minded – Begin to see life in the context of eternity. Spread the most important message on the planet – the gospel of Jesus Christ. “It’s up to God’s people to financially insure our church doors stay open,” shares Dan.

When you sow to the Kingdom of God sparingly, you will reap sparingly. If you sow generously, you will reap generously. Never give reluctantly because God cannot bless this attitude. Give as the Holy Spirit leads you. By giving, God wants to bless you so you can bless others. Lastly, the intended focus of your giving should be to give God glory – never ever try to take that glory.