As we approach what we all hope and pray will be the end of the “Great Recession,” how can we financially prepare ourselves for what may lie ahead?

Aren’t you ready for a Fresh Financial Start? Message Series Overview Nov. 7: “Your Spiritual EKG” Nov. 14: “To Tithe or Not to Tithe” Nov. 21: “Giving Thanks in Tough Times” Nov. 28: “Commitment Sunday” Join us for this encouraging look at God Word as it relates to your finances!

“Your Spiritual EKG” Luke 12:13-34 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

“Spiritual EKG” Luke 12:13-34 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you,

“Spiritual EKG” Luke 12:13-34 O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Spiritual EKG” Luke 12:13-34 According to Jesus, one of the best measures of your spiritual heart health is _________ generosity.

What is your current “Spiritual Heart Health” status?

How can you improve upon it?

Let’s look to God’s Word for His plan for a healthier heart.

1. “Act Your _____” Proverbs 15:16 “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.” Proverbs 17:1 “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” Wage

1. “Act Your Wage” 1 Timothy 6:6-9 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. … People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

1. “Act Your Wage” Sadly, poorly managed finances are the second leading cause of marital strife and divorce.

“If you can’t control your spending well, lose the plastic before your marriage goes to… heck!”

2. “Increase Your Standard of ______” Deuteronomy 15:10 “ Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Giving

2. “Increase Your Standard of Giving” Proverbs 11:24-25 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

3. “Treasure ______ Wealth” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Eternal

Heart Healthy Exercise Find someone this week to anonymously bless with an unexpected gift or payment of a bill. Rejoice in the feeling it brings you to be secretly generous toward another person even as God has been generous to you.

Next Sunday! Guest Speaker: Pastor Paige Young - “To Tithe or Not To Tithe”