The Tribune

By Rev. Canon. S. Sebastian Campbell

BUT THOU shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deut. 8:18).
I was talking with Caroline (name changed), a twenty-five year old single parent with five children, a full time and a side job. She found it difficult to live on her present salary.

“Well what have you done to change your financial circumstances? Have you asked God to give you a creative idea?” I inquired.

She said she had been praying about the situation, but there had been no changes. Examining her children a little closely, it was no secret; each child had a different surname. It was all a part of her economic plan of survival. In spite of all this she was waiting for God to intervene on her behalf.

Does the average Bahamian have any kind of plan to budget their spending? Do we set aside any portion of our current income for savings? These questions were all put to Caroline. Her answer, “I don’t earn enough money to worry about a budget – much less, any kind of savings,” she answered.

Caroline is a committed Christian and genuinely loves the Lord. Nevertheless, she is trapped by an enslaving system that robs us of our moral worth and shackles us to the finance man. She like countless others will never exit this land of slavery. She has a desire to give a portion of her income to the church, but she never seems to have enough left over after paying bills. She wants her circumstances to change but has not taken any specific action that would better her financial condition. Additionally, she has not properly managed what she already has. She has fallen into the same economic mindset as many Christians. Caroline believes that if God wanted her to have more money, he would change her financial circumstances. However, if she continues on her current path, she will never be free from the bondage of her financial situation. She will never achieve her full economic potential.

Caroline is halting progress towards her full economic destiny without ever realizing it. What she has done to get in this position? Is there anything else she can do to change her financial circumstances? What does she and other Christians need to know about their economic potential in God?

According to Deuteronomy 8:18, God has given each Christian the power to get wealth so that he might establish his covenant in the earth. This is part of our economic destiny. God has placed within every individual the ability to take control of personal financial circumstances to live successful lives, and to make a positive contribution to society. Too many of us are controlled by the spirit of poverty. Our minds have been programmed in such a way that we can be kept in financial bondage for the rest of our lives.

God has only the best in store for us. He certainly wants us to get our financial houses in order, not only to meet our needs, but also that we will be able to reach out to those around us. He wants us to live in a position to give so that through us He can be a blessing. We must aim to become good stewards over the money and resources that have already been entrusted to our care.

According to studies at least one half of our people will have to depend on National Insurance and government welfare to live after retirement. A great number of families are struggling to survive from pay check to pay check. Bad credit and personal bankruptcies have become commonplace. What is so disturbing, the fact that too many black people are living in squalor conditions. The inner city is deteriorating and is the breeding ground for criminal activities. The spirit of poverty has been allowed to imprison our inner cities with an attitude that stifles on an individual bass.

It’s disappointing, evidence suggests that there is not much difference between the Christian and the non-Christian in regard to personal finances. Remember, God will reward those who prove themselves faithful in small things. Many Christians find themselves caught in the same financial bondage as the rest of the world.

God is interested in our financial well being. He wants to restore our families and rebuild our communities. We must not be solely dependant on government. As Christians we must accept our responsibility as stewards if we are to walk in the will of God.