The Heart of Financial Matters: Seeking a Servant’S Heart

Copyright © 2011 by Eddie Hedges.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. Quotations marked (NASB) are from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright the Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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1990 Eddie Hedges Revised 2001 Revised 2011

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-5106-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-5107-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-5108-3 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011915954

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 09/08/2011

Contents

Part I

Introduction

Accepting Financial Responsibility

A Prayerful Hearta

The Heart of a Faithful Servant

He That Rules His Spirit

Having a Servant’s Heart

You Can Take It with You

Part II

A Lesson from the Ant

The Heart of Financial

Growth and Stability

Compounding Your Financial Growth

Your Servant or Your Master?

Wisdom in Listening

Deliver Yourself from the Hunter

The Hand of the Diligent Makes Rich

How to Balance Your Statement

Training the Heart of a Child

Preparing for the Financial Journey

Part III

The Heart of Adversity

Your Heart Is Not for Sale

The Heart of a Winner

He Wants Your Heart

Part IV

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Acknowledgments

Part I

Introduction

What makes this book about money and finance any different from all the others that have been written on this topic? Is there anything written in this book that is new and useful insight that has not been covered by other writers? Does the author have the expertise and background whereby he can share information that is different and refreshing? All of these are good and legitimate questions for the reader to ask, so let me explain to you why I think this book is different and will be beneficial. I have been involved in the banking industry for more than forty years at eight different banks. I have been president and chief executive officer of three community banks. Therefore, my writings, observations, and comments are from a banker’s viewpoint. Accordingly, my comments will be straightforward and to the point. I am not doing this to be offensive, but to emphasize the importance of the principle or point being made. In addition, I have given numerous financial and money management seminars in churches and other religious organizations over the past twenty-five-plus years. As I studied the Bible and prepared for each seminar, I discovered new material to be included in my discussions. Because of my continued research, I have included a spiritual application in each topic. There is an emphasis on the heart and the condition of the heart as well as on money. This book is the text that has developed over my years in banking and public speaking.

Accordingly, it is my sincere prayer that everything in this book is the truth from the Holy Bible and is led by the Holy Spirit. God forbid I should include false teachings or untrue doctrine.

As a bank executive, I interacted daily with people who were having financial problems. When I was asked to speak about money at a marriage seminar, I began to study why people were having issues with money. Through my studies, I have found common characteristics relating to poor money management. I discovered that financial problems typically occur when people violate one or more principles of sound money management. You may be able to conceal your financial problems from most people, but you cannot hide them from your banker. Your banker has access to information about your financial situation that others do not have.

As a Christian businessman, I know that God will provide the answer to problems if we seek His guidance and study His Word. The Bible provides the principles for money management as well as solutions to the daily problems we encounter.

Your Attitude toward Money

This study is to help you recognize problems you may be having handling your money and finances, and then to present solutions. It can help you develop a positive attitude toward the use of money, credit, and yourself as a result of proper management of your finances.

One key element in handling your finances is that you determine your success. In Think and Grow Rich (Highroads Media, 2004, 21st Century Edition), Napoleon Hill stated, If you do not conquer yourself, you will be conquered by yourself.

So many times we are our own greatest enemy and we allow ourselves to be defeated. We permit and, in some instances, cause ourselves to fail. This can happen because of attitude, lack of effort, lack of self-discipline, or not being willing to make a sacrifice. In such times, it is not difficult to find an excuse for failure, but can you truly find a reason for failure? An excuse is when you blame someone or something other than yourself to justify your actions. A reason is a legitimate cause for the situation you are facing. Very often, the reason a person fails financially is because of one or more of these reasons.

Let me explain this comment in a little more detail. Each of us individually controls the decisions we make. We control our attitude and how we react to the various situations we face. We control the amount of effort we want to put into something and decide if the effort is worth the end result. No one can keep you from attaining any feasible accomplishment or goal that is desired—no one but yourself! This is especially true in financial matters.

The Source of Your Strength

It is my sincere desire that each reader’s life will be greatly enhanced by reading this book and that God may bestow His richest blessing upon each of you. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) says, I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

Strength, support, security, and power must come from Christ, not from man, and not from oneself. This is a key verse!

This is talking about a relationship with Jesus. Life is really about our relationship with God. We all have a relationship with God—whether it is a good relationship or a bad relationship is the question.

Before we get into our study, a few remarks from my banking experience need to be made. Most people will agree with me concerning the principles and comments in this book. Sadly, however, very few will apply these principles. Most people recognize their shortcomings or bad habits, but they do not want to make the sacrifices necessary to change—even when they know deep inside that the changes will improve their lives. They do not want to make the sacrifice to their standard of living.

I received an e-mail one day from a website that posts articles dedicated to success and wealth, www.earlytorise.com. The e-mail stated, The tendency of wealth seekers is to ask for money (loans or gifts) and to turn down wisdom. Exactly what does this mean? People want a quick fix instead of identifying the reason they are in the situation and how to correct it. I have found this to be true in my career. People would come to me and ask for financial guidance, but what they really wanted was for me to agree with what they wanted to do—whether it would be good or bad for them—or they wanted a loan to bail them out of a financial bind. Most of the time, they would disregard my advice and proceed with what they wanted to do anyway. They wanted an easy solution to their financial problems. Too often, there is no easy solution. Let me give a biblical illustration of how the tendency of wealth seekers is to ask for money and to turn down wisdom.

So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9 NASB).

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people (2 Chronicles 1:10 NASB).

Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore (1 Kings 4:29 NASB).

God blessed Solomon with not only wisdom, understanding, and discernment, but also with great wealth. I believe if Solomon had requested money or wealth instead of wisdom, he would have initially had wealth, but would have lost it because he did not understand the principles of gaining and retaining wealth. The same principle applies to us. If we are having financial problems, it is more important to understand why we are having difficulties so we can correct the problem and not continue to make the same mistakes with our money. This is a valuable lesson for us—not only with money and finances, but in every aspect of life.

Getting to the Root of the Problem

When people come to me to discuss their financial problems, most of the time we can get to the root of the problems with a short session of questions and answers. When the cause of the problem is found, suggestions can be made to correct and improve their finances.

Our society has failed to recognize the importance of teaching money management in our homes, educational systems, and churches. Money is something that everyone needs and uses; however, very few people have formal training in credit, finances, investing, and the proper use of money. Without question, this is one reason why bankruptcy filings have increased dramatically over the last few years.

Another point I want to make, and I believe adds support to my writings, has to do with your personal belief. I want you to honestly ask yourself, Do you believe that what the Bible says is true? If you believe that the Bible is true and is the inspired Word of God, and I back up my principles and comments with Scripture, then you should accept what I state in this book as being true.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV).

Additionally, God desires to be a part of everything we do and He will bless us when we include Him in every area of our life.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25 NIV).

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22 NASB).

In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble (Proverbs 15:6 KJV).

Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith (Proverbs 15:16 KJV):

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right (Proverbs 16:7-8 KJV).

If we are doing God’s will and obeying what the Bible says, regarding our life and our money, we will have happiness and inner peace. If we are not within God’s will—we may gain wealth, but we will not have happiness or inner peace. When you let God be involved in your life, He will add no trouble to it. If He is not involved in your life, you will have trouble and inner turmoil.

Think about this—God is perfect. He knows what is best.

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth. For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the earth; and they who are cursed by him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of