Financial Ethics

 

 

1. We will avoid greed and be honest in all our financial dealings. We will not lie, cheat, steal or beat people out of money(see Deut.5:19-21; 25:15-16; Prov.20:10, 23; Luke 12:15; Eph.4:28).

 

2. We will show God's love with money He entrusts to us. We will put God first in our lives through giving tithes and offerings. We will give to the church, to missions, to the poor and especially to the needy among our own families, relatives and Christian friends(see Deut.14:22-23; 1 Chron.29:11-14; Mal.3:8-10; Matt.23:23-25; Luke 6:38; 11:42; Acts 20:35; Rom.13:9-10; 1 Tim.5:8; 6:18-19).

 

3. We will pay our debts promptly and seek to stay out of debt(see Ps.37:21; Prov.3:27-28; 22:7; Matt.5:25-26; Rom.13:8). We will not co-sign for another's debts(Prov.6:1-5; 17:18; 22:26-27).

 

4. We will save a portion of our incomes for future difficulties(see Prov.13:11; 21:20; 30:24-25; note the cautions about oversaving taught by Jesus in Matt.6:19-20, 24-26; Luke 12:16-21)..

 

5. We will avoid risky investments and get-rich-quick schemes(see Prov.28:20-22; Eccles.5:13-15; 1 Tim. 6:9-10).

 

6. We will look for investments that produce redemptive results, not destructive ones. We will use our investment money for God's glory(see Lev.25:47-55; Ps.49:20; 1 Cor.10:31; Col.3:17; 1 Tim. 6:17-19).

 

7. We will live by the highest standards of financial integrity in our families, our churches, and our chosen work or professions(see Job 1:8; Ps.112:1-10; Prov.10:2; 11:3, 18; Matt.7:12; 2 Cor.7:2).

 

8. We will neither oppress the poor nor bribe the rich(see Exod. 23:8; Prov.15:27; 22:16, 22-23; Isa.5:22-23; 33:15).

 

9. We will make restitution for any wrongs we have committed against the person or property of another(see Lev.6:1-5; Num.5:5-7; Prov.6:30-31; Ezek.33:14, 15; Luke 19:8-10).

 

10. We will not use the courts for lawsuits against other believers or engage in any unethical legal proceedings designed to gain unjust money(see Exod.23:1-3; Lev.19:15; 25:17; Deut.1:17; 2 Chron.19:5-7; Prov.24:23; Zech.8:16-17; Luke 12:13-15; 1 cor.6:1-8).

 

11. We will work faithfully and diligently for our incomes as good stewards of the Lord(see Prov. 12:11 13:4; 1 Cor.4:2; Eph.6:5-9; Col.3:23, 24; 4:1; 1 Thess.2:9; 2 Thess. 3:6-13).

 

12. We will balance work and rest(see Exod.20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15; Ps.127:1-2; Heb. 4:1-11).

 

 

[NEIL T. ANDERSON & CHARLES MYLANDER, "SETTING YOUR MARRIAGE FREE"]

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