Nine Principles of Family Finances

Viv Grigg

What do I teach my kids?

But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well (Matt 6:33).

Which things? food, clothing, housing, basics.

Luke 14:26 I forsook all to follow Jesus to the slums and he has provided all that we need each week for 31 years since then.

We pray for our needs e.g. bishops table e.g. scholarships for Monique e.g. house with office

Seeking his Kingdom means following Kingdom principles of finances

Principle 1: Creativity God is the creative worker

His work was goodMade something out of nothingHis work was artistic, expressing beautyEvolving one thing from the next

– we are to grow business incrementally His work was good

Work is honorable Daily chores: garbage, dishes, washing Work with hands is godly

Kingdom Economic Principles in Genesis 1

Principle 1: Creativity – He creates, we create (Gen 1:1)

Principle 2: He works cooperatively (“Let us”1:1) Principle 3: Productivity – “he made”, “it was

good” Principle 4: He works Principle 5: He rests

Principle 4: Work Human work

To manage the earthTo subdue itTo fill it

Work was cursed in the fall It became hard work

From gardener to farmer, from fulfilment to frustration

But the command to manage did not change

Principle 5: Rest

Abuse of work takes two forms: Idleness, afraid to dirty hands

We plant our own garden Overwork

Work without rest is one of the major sins

The Sabbath a symbol of the covenant between

God and his people a time to reflect and rest out of this reflection, worship.

Principle 6: RedistributionThe Jubilee (Lev 25:8-17)

It was a time of equalizing every 50th year.I. LIBERTY It is synonymous with the year of liberty. Slaves are to be set free. II. DEBTS ARE TO BE CANCELED. Economic freedom is inherent in the gospel message.III. CELEBRATION. Celebration is inherent in the gospel message.IV. REDISTRIBUTION The means of production, the land was to be returned to the original

owners. Redistribution of the means of production is inherent in the gospel message.

V. OWNERSHIP Even the Levites were to have their own home. E.g with $400 we bought our home.

Jubilee Economics in the Acts Community (Acts 2:42-44)

2nd PRINCIPLE: COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS

6th PRINCIPLE: MEETING NEEDS

6th PRINCIPLE: VOLUNTARY GIVING

6th PRINCIPLE: THE EQUALIZING GOSPEL

8th PRINCIPLE: CELEBRATION

9th PRINCIPLE: PRIVATE OWNERSHIP WITHOUT POSSESSIVENESS

Rich 5%

Middle Class 10%

Labouring Poor 45%

Destitute Poor 40%

AN EQUALIZING GOSPEL

A RANGE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY

When people heard him,

what did they understand?

Jesus came to preach good news of the Kingdom of God to the poor, to set the captives free, to declare the acceptable year of the Lord (– the year of Jubilee) (Luke 4:18, 19).

Principle 6: Jubilee and International Redistribution (2 Corinthians 8,9)

The principles of Jubilee as evidenced in Jesus community, then in the Acts community are further extended globally in Paul’s teaching on global redistribution between the churches

Teach kids to give to

the poor

I Tim 6:6-10 Equalising

A Lifestyle of Simplicity

Earn much

Consume Little

Hoard Nothing

Give Generously

Celebrate Life

Principle 7: Management,

We are to manage the earth Earn your way through University, we

will be here behind you if all fails

Savings and Debt Debts were to be cancelled Owe no man anything Forgive us our debts as we forgive

our debtors To my kids

No credit card Don’t buy if you can’t pay

Pocket money and a Notebook - giving 10% - saving 10% - making a budget - buy a hair curler???

9. Ownership Own home Own home Provide Family

Principle Genesis/ Jubilee Gospels & Acts Epistles1. Creativity God the creator Spirit sets free

2. Cooperative Economics

Let us make Sharing Provide for others

3. Productivity Good outcomes Fruit of Preaching

4. Work He makesHe structures

Labour in the gospel

Work with hands(1 Thes 4:11)

5. Rest God rests Jubilee come Eternal Rest

6 Redistribut’nfor Equality

Jubilee –return of land Tithing

No needy one

Weekly Giving

Global redist’n (2 Cor 8,9)

Simplicity

7. Stewardship Savings & Debt

Jubilee cancels debts

Debts cancelled

Good managers

Owe no man

Manage house

8. Celebration It was good Worship daily Laughing givers