God’S Plan for Abundant Living: Five Biblical Principles Upon Which to Build Your Financial House

By David R. Finch

This book is a presentation of five fundamental and biblical-based principles by which God would have us live our lives. They are not original to me, only discovered by me. They came out of a nine-hour seminar that had been developed in the 1980s. It is organized by each individual principle along with several chapters which illustrate how these principles can be applied to our financial circumstances.

To illustrate these principles, they are likened to the building of a house. Each principle represents a step in the process of building a house. At the end of each principle, as well as each chapter, there is a personal application which I hope will help people apply that principle/chapter to their personal lives.

The book is organized from start to finish on the concept that we are human beings created by a God who have given us a plan by which to live our lives, a plan that goes beyond the materialistic focus of most people in the world today. It is a book for persons who are willing to discover how God can direct their financial lives to be fulfilled according to His plan, which in turn will provide them with a level of fulfillment that can only be found by following His plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781496966391

David R. Finch

During David’s youth, he attended as many as 11 different schools during his 12-years in elementary and high school, living in a number of states before moving to Oregon. He also served 4 years in the US Navy, which included a trip to Australia. When separated, he enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a minor in Accounting. In December of 1974, David married Judy Robertson. They have 2 sons (now in their 30’s), one of whom is married and lives in Portland, Oregon. The other son lives in Springfield, Oregon. Judy died at the relatively young age of 56 resulting from a very aggressive ovarian cancer which came with almost no warning. In the year 1975, David established a financial counseling program under the umbrella of Christian Family Services (initially known as Christian Family Institute). David Ortega, Executive Director at the time, required that David find the biblically-based principles upon which this ministry was to be based. Within 2 weeks, God revealed the 5 principles to David which guided the focus of this ministry.

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© 2015 David R. Finch. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/29/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-6641-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-6642-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-6639-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015901441

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

James Moffatt, A New Translation of the Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. New York: Doran, 1926. Revised edition, New York and London: Harper and Brothers, 1935. Reprinted, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1995.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

I Principle of STEWARDSHIP

1.1 A Positive Self-Image God’s Loving Gift

1.2 Money As Self-Expression And An Extension of Ourselves

1.3 Time Management One of Your Assets

1.4 Creative Use of Our Talents Use Them or Lose Them

II Principle of BONDAGE-FREE LIVING

2.1 The Discipline of Debt Elimination

2.2 The Art of Debt-Free Living

2.3 Establishing Credit Vs. Credit Living

2.4 Saving With Integrity Real Vs. Phony Savings

III Principle of PLANNING

3.1 Developing a Budget Plan

3.2 Preparing a Prayer Budget

3.3 Monitoring the Plan; Keeping Records

IV Principle of COMMUNICATION

4.1 Husband and Wife: Mutual Sharing or Battle Ground?

4.2 Rearing Children o Win—or Lose!

4.3 Being Single Without Being Alone

V Principle of GIVING

5.1 Hilarious Sacrifice—God’s Level of Giving

5.2 Tithing—A Statement of Faith

5.3 Planting A Seed

Epilogue Trusting God For True Abundance

Endnotes

Bibliography

Appendix A Process For Setting Goals

Foreword

I am pleased to submit this foreword to this book, because the entirety of this book is based on the biblical concept of men and women and their relationship to God. David Finch has used scripture throughout this book magnanimously—not just as supporting evidence for his arguments, but rather as the starting point.

Strong in experience and daily living, David’s work is very easily absorbed into everyday life itself, because it is about life itself.

Pastors will find the message herein a valuable source of inspiration and strength as well as marvelous material for sermon preparation. The message of this work will touch, in a wonderful way, the life of every person genuinely concerned with his or her relationship to God, the church, and to his or her fellowman.

God’s word has so much to say about revolving charge accounts, easy payment loan plans, mortgages, installment purchasing, and indebtedness in general. Although the myriad of financial plans and schemes that get us into so much trouble today came into being long before the Bible was written, God’s principles of financial management are timeless.

This volume by David Finch is a road map to financial health for the average person. David is a Christian financial teacher who has dedicated his life to helping God’s children escape the debt trap.

God’s Plan for Abundant Living, by David Finch, belongs in the home of every Christian couple, the library of every Pastor and counselor, with every Christian businessperson, and on the gift list of every person who knows a couple about to embark on life’s greatest adventure—marriage. This is not a volume one will read one time and put aside. This is a reference guide, to which one will refer again and again. I highly recommend God’s Plan for Abundant Living by David Finch to anyone who truly seeks to be a faithful steward.

Dan Shankle, DD

Foreword

The greatest achievement I’ve experienced in this life is learning how my finances and my faith in our Creator are so closely intertwined. This is no accident. This is God’s plan. Just as God forgives us and gives us a new hope and a new future when we repent of our wrongdoings, so does He give us renewal in our finances when we acknowledge our limitations and ask Him for guidance.

I’ve personally experienced this not just once, but twice. The first time was about 30 years ago. At that time, I had maxed out my credit cards and owed money far beyond my means. I had lived the life of Riley, and finally came to realize that my debt was now like a noose around my neck, strangling the life out of me. I sought help only to be told, You don’t make enough money. Well, duh!

That’s when I first met David Finch of Emmanuel Credit Management. He assured me that, no matter how little money nor how great a debt I had, that God was still God, and that, if I trusted Him, then I would be out of debt in five years. I was willing to live on a tight budget because I had HOPE for the first time ever!

I had only been in the program a short time when I found I needed money for emergency surgery on my dog and a new engine for my car. But, because I was trusting in God and obeying what He had said to me through David, I actually had money for both emergencies, and I paid them off immediately. No credit card. No debt. Cash in hand. The dog’s life was saved, and the car lasted me several more years.

Only God creates miracles. And it’s important for us to remember that these are miracles, and we must remember to thank our Lord when these miracles manifest. Sometimes it looks so simple that it can’t possibly be from God (I thought David was a miracle-worker), so we forget to give Him the thanks He deserves. Thank Him, for he is showing Himself to you, that He loves you personally.

Almost 20 years later, I found myself again in debt. I had forgotten how the Lord protects us through our finances, and I had once again succumbed to the use of credit cards. Yes, again I called upon David to help me out. This time I praised the Lord all of the way through the situation: I praised Him for my job (which I really didn’t like but I was grateful I had it); I praised Him when I gave my check to David and received only a small portion back on which to live; I praised Him whenever I spent what little I had because at least I had enough for rent, food, transportation, and clothing.

At this time I was also supporting my son and his family of three. I had very little money, but I always had enough. I thank God to this day for his provisions, including the fact that I was able to tithe throughout this period.

In trusting God first, who brought David into my life and into my finances, I realized that He was in turn teaching my kids how to trust in God for all things. When your finances are impacted, your life is impacted. When your finances are healthy, you have more vitality and experience hope more readily. When your finances are diminished, it is difficult to see a bright tomorrow.

I am again out of debt, and I have a very high credit score so that I have actually been pre-approved for a house loan. Who would have believed that only a few years ago when I had once again felt the noose around my neck?

I praise God for the freedom that I now have through Him, and through what I have learned about His faithfulness by trusting in Him. I thank David Finch for being God’s willing and obedient servant, who taught me HOW to apply God’s principles of faith and finances and how so much good flows from them. Not only do I have a future and a hope, but my children also have the same blessings as long as they have learned these lessons as I have.

This book will help you, the reader, to apply God’s principles in faith and finances, and you too will find encouragement to lean on Him through all things, through poverty as well as in wealth. Always pray, giving thanks in all things, and knowing with certainty that all things do indeed turn out for the good of all who trust in Him.

It’s important to always remember: Our obedience allows God to work His will in our lives. We think we have to beg Him for help and that He doesn’t want to help people who have done something wrong. When we remember that He gave His son to die on the cross to save us sinners, that shows right there how wrong our thinking is. God loved us first; He loves us still; He will always love us. So to be obedient simply allows Him to work freely in our lives, the way He wants to work, abundantly, for our sake and His glory.

Enjoy your life in Christ. Embrace your life of debt-free living, where giving generously to those around you brings life-giving joy!

Diane Fortner

Preface

THIS BOOK is a miracle. Although I have been teaching these principles from the time I opened the financial counseling program at Christian Family Services over 39 years ago, the idea of writing them in book form seemed like an impossible dream.

Along the way, I began listening to Robert H. Schuller on the Hour of Power. Over the years, I began to believe that this book was really worthy of being written and that I could do it. Even then, it took a number of years before I set the ideas down on paper.

So why did I write this book? Anticipating the presentation of a 9-hour seminar, I gathered the material that you will find in this book, then I taught the seminars. However, as the popularity of seminars diminished in time, we quit offering them. As for the material? It was still in tact.

Believing that the information in the seminars was something that would help a lot of people deal with issues involving financial stewardship, the next logical step was to convert the material into book form. That way, people could get access to the information that they needed. Lives could be changed. Thus, the ideas from the seminars became the book that you have in your hand today.

I also found myself encouraged by many friends over the years, some of those being persons to whom I extend my thanks below. Their encouragement has gone a long way to getting this book into print. They, too, believed in the message which I share with you in this book.

First I am thankful for the principles which God shared with me when I first established the program back in August of 1975. They have stood the test of time. Likewise, I want to thank the late Robert H. Schuller for his messages of hope and possibility. Due in part to the encouragement found in his sermons week after week, God was able to plant into my subconscious mind that miracles do happen, including the possibility that I could in fact accomplish the task of putting the principles found in this book into print.

Second, I thank my family for their patience with me over the years as I developed a viable debt elimination program during which these principles were tested. It took very long hours at considerable sacrifice of time and energy to establish this program, including the computer programming and staff training. Even after the initial tasks were complete, the hours needed at work were still long, and I needed to find the time beyond my work schedule to finish writing the book. In any such situation, the family also makes a sacrifice, not just the author.

Third, I want to thank David Ortega, a trusted colleague and friend. I first met David when he was Executive Director for what was then known as Christian Family Institute. David Ortega is a man of integrity. His insights and forced disciplines have proven valuable in the long run. I became aware of this from the time he first interviewed me for a job there. He is the one who first required that I discover the principles which were to guide the financial counseling ministry.

These principles are the focus of this book. Today he serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors, as well as Board Administrator, for Emmanuel Credit Management, where I have served as Executive Director and Office Administrator. He continues to provide wise counsel and guidance.

Fourth, I want to thank a dear pastor and friend, Verle Mitchell, who was willing to critique the original manuscript. His suggestions have contributed substantially to the quality of the book. But my appreciation goes beyond the time spend on the book. He is a loved and trusted friend who, over the years, became much like a brother. He was a person against whom I could share my doubts and concerns, and he continually affirmed me as a person of worth and value. My appreciation for this relationship continues to this day.

Fifth, I want to thank one of my colleagues at the time, Roger Page, for his time and energy in reviewing the original manuscript. Although he placed his primary emphasis on insuring that my grammatical mistakes were corrected, he also offered other suggestions which helped refine the quality of the book.

Sixth, I want to thank another dear friend, Dan Shankle, who also critiqued the original writing. Many years earlier, when I first taught these principles in a course I called, Living Abundantly Forever, Dan was the pastor of one of those churches where a seminar was conducted. It was not until years later through the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters Committee that I met Dan again. Only then did I discover how strong was his belief in what was taught and how solid was his support for me personally, which has continued to this day. (He also wrote a foreword for this book.)

Seventh, I want to thank the many clients and colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of working over the years. Not being perfect, there were many times when my mistakes proved costly or upsetting. Still, many of those with whom I served—as members of the Board of Directors, as staff, or as clients—have become friends, and a number of them have helped keep the ministry of Emmanuel Credit Management alive and well.

Eighth, I want to thank Larry O’Brien, who completed the illustrations that you will find throughout the book. I have known Larry for many years and have come to trust him as a friend and talented artist. Larry also designed the logo that is still in use by Emmanuel Credit Management, where I work.

I had also asked him to complete some drawings for a book containing poems written by my father, Roy Finch, and myself. The quality of the work was outstanding. He was my first choice to do the illustrations for this book. As always, I am delighted with the work. I genuinely appreciate his contributions to this writing.

Ninth, I appreciate the contribution of a friend and member of Emmanuel Credit Management’s Board of Directors—Diane Fortner—who proofread the final draft before I submitted it to the publisher. She has been a strong supporter of the work of Emmanuel Credit Management and of me personally. Her insights into this work are greatly appreciated. Not only did I receive her personal support over the years, she has confirmed to me her belief in the importance of getting this book into the hands of as many people as possible. (She, too, wrote a foreword for this book.)

Tenth, I cannot neglect the contributions made by the publisher. Actually, there were two firms seeking the opportunity to publish this book, which told me that this book had value worthy of being published. Both were fine firms, and sadly I could not choose both. The support I have received from AuthorHouse, who was selected to be the publisher, has been top notch.

Finally, I want to thank you, the purchaser of this book, for the trust that you have placed in me by purchasing this book. I don’t take this trust lightly. Neither do I take credit for the teachings that are included. Those came from God, and credit for their revelation belongs at the source. Still, God has blessed me with these ideas and has made it possible for me to accomplish this impossible task—the writing and publishing of this book. You have, by purchasing this book, provided evidence to me that God’s sharing of these ideas had potential. Thank you for this expression of faith.

Although words cannot adequately express how much I appreciate God’s faith in me, nor can I adequately state how much I appreciate all who have helped make this impossible dream a reality, I truly do thank you, one and all!

David R. Finch

Introduction

THERE IS A STORY of a young man who seemed to have the world by the tail, at least by material standards. Everything was going well, yet a friend of his had noticed that this normally enthusiastic young man had seemed to have lost all hope. Having a genuine concern, his friend asked him what was wrong.

Well, two weeks ago, a distant aunt died, he answered. It was quite unexpected.

Did you know her well? this friend asked.

No, not very well, he replied, but she was a fine Christian woman.

I’m sorry at your loss, his friend responded. Anything I can do?

No, but thanks for asking. But she did leave me $70,000 in her will.

The friend was a little puzzled. Wow! That was quite a gift. The money should soften the loss somewhat, shouldn’t it?

Indeed. But that’s not all. Last week, a cousin died unexpectedly, leaving me $50,000.

Now wait a minute, the now stunned friend interrupted. I can understand your concern. It is difficult to lose two members of your family, even those you didn’t know well. But that’s $120,000 that you didn’t have before. Come, now, it can’t be THAT bad.

But you don’t understand. This week, … NOTHING!

THAT STORY illustrates well the problem that we all experience at one time or another. We say we trust and love God, and we acknowledge that God’s presence abides with us. Yet we become so accustomed to God’s gifts that we experience daily that we fail to appreciate them. Instead, we blame God if the receipt of these gifts is in any way interrupted. We treat God as a fairy godmother!

When I was younger and without the experience or self-confidence I would need if I were to become self-employed, I elected to move in that direction anyway because I could not find a summer job. With this beginning, I began a 12-year struggle to succeed, while at the same time contributing consistently to my own failure. During this time I would listen to whatever advice was offered, yet I would hear only what I wanted to hear—which was always self-defeating.

Eventually the lessons and experiences of those difficult days proved valuable, in that I later developed a program based on what I needed during my own battles with debt to help others in debt to put their lives in order. Before I could do this, however, I had to reach the place where I gave God