How will you manage your MONEY?

We continue our week considering the graduating seniors of 2010. As you know you are embarking on the years ahead when you will make the 4 biggest decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

The final of the four decisions the young graduate will make is how will you handle your money? Well, you might first say, “That’s easy, I don’t have any.” But I am not talking about just how you do with the money you have, but rather how will you perceive money. Will you serve money or will it be a tool that you will use to accomplish the purposes God has called you to. Will you learn to tithe your income? Will you be a generous giver? Will you be a saver? Or will you spend like a crazy person and go into foolish debt?

These are the decisions and habits that face the graduate. This is the time to grab hold of God’s wisdom on finances. If you get a good start on Biblical principles on money, you can live your entire life free from the slavery that can come with things.

It’s been a joy to be with you this week. Once again, a huge congratulations to all you graduates out there. As you make godly choices, you will face an awesome future.

What will be your Major?

Those of you who are finishing high school – Congratulations!!! We continue our talks on the four most important decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

Today, I want to focus on your Major. Now, first of all I am not talking about just what you will be your major in college. I am talking about making your career choice. For some young people that includes college, but there are, of course, other paths to take also.

Why is it important to choose a good career path? Well, consider this. You will work for about 40 years. That is nearly 80,000 hours. Think of a lousy summer job you have had. Those jobs where a 6 hour shift is difficult. Imagine doing that for over 80,000 hours. Wow!

God has wired each of us up differently. He has given us unique giftings, talents and passions. Choose your career path, your major based on His calling on your life, based on His wisdom. He created you and He knows your future better than anyone else. So, choose wisely. And seek God for His wisdom.

2nd M - Your Mate

Those of you who are finishing high school – Congratulations!!! We continue our talks on the four most important decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

Today we talk about your Mate or Marriage. “Whoa, whoa, whoa Rick, not so fast. I just want to head off to college and have some fun. I’m not thinking about marriage now.” I’m sure that’s true and I am not at all a proponent of getting married too young. So, this is not at all about you getting married now. What it is about is making wise decisions over the next years of your life when it comes to relationships.

Our life is wrapped up in relationships and it should be. So, be careful to choose your friends wisely. The Apostle Paul writes that “Bad company corrupts good morals.” And he is right. And how you choose your friends will affect how you choose your dates. And how you choose and treat your dates will determine how you choose and treat your spouse. Marriage is the most wonderful gift a person can have. He who has found a good wife has found the greatest treasure on earth. Make wise decisions based on your future, and God will bless you for it.

Who is Your Master?

We continue our week considering the graduating seniors of 2010. As you know you are embarking on the years ahead when you will make the 4 biggest decisions of your life. They are: Who will be your Master? Who will be your Mate? What will be your Major? And How will you manage your money?

The primary decision you will make that is the foundation for all other decisions is: Who is your Master? Who or what is your God? You might say, “Well, I am a Christian. I have been one since I was a little kid.” That is wonderful, but this is the time of your life when Jesus truly becomes your God. He is not the God of your parents or the God of your church. He must become the God you love and serve. He must become the Master of your life.

The years after high school are great years, but they are also potentially difficult times. By making Jesus your Lord and by pursuing your relationship with Him, you are setting the only sure foundation that can give you the start in life that you need.

Choose wisely on who will be your Master.

The Decade of Decision

June is a tremendous month. Summer is finally here and everyone is excited especially the kids who are off for summer vacation. All kids are excited but every year there is that special group known as high school graduates. They have finished their high school career and they are ready to take on the world. So, first of all I salute and congratulate all of you graduates out there – you need to be commended – Great Job!!

I think it’s interesting that the graduation ceremony is called commencement. That’s because graduation is not an end, but is instead the beginning of the next stage of your life. I have worked with teenagers for nearly 20 years so I watched this transition a lot over the years. I have come to think of this decade of a person’s life from about the ages of 16-25 as the Decade of Decision. And if you or someone you love is in this decade of their life, you understand this to be true. For it’s in these years that you will decide on 4 keys areas of your life that will affect your entire future. I call these the 4 M’s. During this decade you will decide on your Master (who is your God?), your Mate (who you will marry), your Major (career path) and your Money (how will you manage it). These are 4 huge areas that we will explore this week.

For you graduate, you know you need tremendous wisdom as you forge ahead and that wisdom comes from God. Proverbs 1:5 says let the wise hear and increase in learning and 1:20 says that wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.

My friends let’s listen to the wisdom that comes from the Lord. I look forward to spending time with you this week as we pursue God’s wisdom for this Decade of Decision that you, the graduate is about to embark upon.