Four beliefs that shape our financial practices.

1. Stewardship: God owns it all and I am responsible to care for it.

2. Contentment: I am satisfied that what I have is enough.

3. Wisdom: Having good judgment and prudence.

4. Faith: Having the confidence that something is ""holding me up"" and the assurance that there is evidence which gives me conviction.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

25 ""That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 ""And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 ""So don't worry about these things, saying, ""What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?""32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 ""So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34

Resting Faith:

• The assurance that God sees you and knows your needs.

• The confidence that God cares for you and you are dear to Him.

• The conviction that God will provide for you.

8 ""Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, ""What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?"" You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,"" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, ""I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:8-10

Testing Faith:

• Assurance in God that is verified through action.

• Acts on the promises of God.

The Good Life awaits you. It does. But to receive it you must practice stewardship, contentment, and faith and next week we'll see what role wisdom plays.