A long-time ministry friend of Asian descent sent me a text disclosing that 2022 is the “Year of the Tiger.” Though I had no prior information regarding this year’s Chinese calendar, my curiosity prompted me to take a quick look at the attributes of this year’s tiger.
In doing so, I came across three intriguing words: bravery, courage, and strength. Other than someone else mentioning it, like my Asian friend, I would not normally think in terms of the Zodiac. However, in seeing these three descriptive words, I thought to myself, those are great words to meditate upon, search in the Scriptures, and potentially apply to our Christian living for this new year! Here’s a couple of quick financial applications from the Bible for those three words.
Bravery
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 KJV).
Like Peter and John, to what level of bravery and boldness are we
engaging, like a tiger, our personal stand for Christ, and His biblical instructions and guidelines regarding our own 2022 finances?
Do we have a written and formalized budget; and if not, what is hindering us from doing so? “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9).
In what aspects may we potentially be presuming upon God for our financial future, or getting ahead of Him in our decisions and action plans? “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”-(Proverbs 27:1).
How thoroughly are we counting the cost of time, energy, health, family dynamics, and Christian service, for our current financial endeavors? What’s our bravery level in fighting against the “world’s thinking” that BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER? How willing would we be to the idea of downsizing if the Holy Spirit so prompted? “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.” (Luke 14:28-30).
As with Peter and John, if someone was observing our lives and finances, would they be able to say, “They have been with Jesus? What an incredible endorsement and motivation for bravely living each day for Christ!
Courage
“Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31-33).
What is our level of courage for the times in which we currently live? Christ told us that in the world we would have tribulation. The good news for Born Again Believers is that our citizenship is not here in the world, but in the heavenlies (Phil. 3:20).
While we do live here on earth and await Christ’s return for His Church (the Body of Christ), what are some practical ways that we can demonstrate increased courage?
How can we take steps to eliminate the use of credit and strive harder to be free from the debt of servitude? “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Proverbs 22:7). ”Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.“ (Romans 13:8).
What changes, adjustments, planning and faithful courage would it take to raise our percent of Christian giving (our tithe and offerings) to a higher percent and dollar level?
If or when needed, what courage and actions steps are needed to make a necessary career change; i.e. due to financial needs, marriage or family unity, compromising values, Covid or vaccine pressures, etc?
John warned us with these words, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16).
Jesus encouraged us with His words, “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27). May we remember that Christ had to be crucified, buried, and resurrected to pay the pending death penalty for our sins. However, in doing so, He also gave Believers the indwelling Holy Spirit to carry on God’s work. May we have the courage to live for Him, follow His financial principles and impact a lost and dying world.
Strength
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” (Psalms 28:7).
In what areas of our life do we need to draw deeper upon the Lord’s strength, see Him as our shield, and then step out and completely trust Him?
How about with regards to any of the previously mentioned financial challenges or decided changes?
How about the strength to endure and persevere each and every day; to be obedient to God’s Word and the teaching directed toward His Church; to stay on track and stay the course?
How about the emotional strength to endure the rapid and radical changes we are experiencing today; while at the same time keeping our marriage and family united and fruitful for Christ? In Ephesians 6, as the Apostle Paul begins to explain the putting on of the “full armor of God in order to be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil," he begins in verse 10 with, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” May each of us choose to draw deeper upon the Lord’s strength and might each day from this point forward.
“AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.” (Mark 12:30). May we choose to march forward in 2022 with bravery, courage and His strength.
Serving Together With You, David & Debbie Bragonier
P.S. Our hope is to keep our communication emails brief and insightful. In 2022, we will use our YouTube program name, "Loose Change" to share biblcial priniciples and practices. Our "newsletters" will now only contain our ministry information, updates, and any Bragonier family pictures or news. We hope you enjoy these shorter to read, and more focused releases.