 Okay. Yeah, so I'm just reading from Psalm 118 and a few verses Verse 1 says, oh, give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever And give thanks. He is good. His mercy endures forever Then just going down to Verses 8 and 9 it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes, right? And then it goes on So verse 1 Really very very encouraging because it says give thanks to the Lord Two qualities about God about about God himself Now which is listed here for he is good. No, that's that's very encouraging. It's not a mixture of good and bad It's not a mixture of holiness and, you know, unrighteousness, but he is good right and everything that we can think of God being good the attribute of The he's a very personification of it, and he is good and And then the second attribute there is his mercy endures forever You know when he extends his mercy, it's he doesn't run run out of it He doesn't he's not in short supply of this mercy. It's mercy endures or goes on forever And verse 8, you know because of these attributes, you know, the psalmist is able to declare it is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man, right? That doesn't mean that we he should not trust people at all, you know The Lord Jesus he trusted the disciples even after they You know, they one denied him One betrayed him and he gave the great commission, you know to the disciples he Trusted in them and he put his confidence in them but the thing is this that if we are going to have our Confidence in man and if it's going to exceed and you know, if it's going to be more than our confidence in God Right, then it is not the right thing So it says here it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man it's better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Princess and simply because that the Lord is Good and his mercy endures forever, right? So today You know as we begin, let's just pray and and let's This is real in our hearts, you know, wherever we need to trust him wholeheartedly trust him completely and trust him and his word, right? Let's pray Father, we thank you Lord your words very your word is very clear that Lord that you are good and Lord your mercy endures or goes on extends forever Lord Father, we thank you that we have you as our God. We thank you that we can completely Lord rely on you wholeheartedly follow you God and Master, we thank you that you will not do us any wrong. We thank you that your mercy endures forever We thank you that you lavish your grace upon us Lord and it is it is Purely because of this Lord that we can put our trust in you Lord as compared to our confidence in man and put our trust in you as Compared to Lord even rulers or God people who wield influence and power or master Lord We can we can put our trust in you completely Lord even compared to that Father God because you are over and above all that You are our sovereign God and yes master and even today Lord We pray that even if we are facing any situations where Lord We are they're torn between one and the other or father God where I pray that wholeheartedly that we will come and Lord Trust in you Father God that we will Lord put our confidence in you master Wholeheartedly or father God we we pray God that we will even as we do that that we will experience God In our lives We will experience the truth of your word of who you are Lord of who and how you describe yourself to be master Yes, Lord and there is no one like you Father God There is no other God there is no one like you and we we put our trust in you master We thank you. We give you all the praise and all the glory at this time Jesus master's name. We pray amen. Amen Okay, so we've been progressing Going through Our course and we've come to the last chapter Which is chapter six and it's on stewardship right stewardship and also some practical things to do practical steps to undertake for our You know with regard to finances regarding finances and also when we you know when it comes to these things again You know when it comes to practically, what can we do with money? It's good to have a biblical base. It's good to consider the scriptures so that we can be sure You know, is it worldly or is it you know, is it something that is out of fear? It is something that is you know, am I doing the right thing so we can do it with all confidence Yes, you know, there is a scriptural backing to it So my heart needs to be in the right condition right posture and I can do it, right? So so irrespective of whether you're you know full-time You know minister of God whether you're in the world I'm in the world as in God has placed you in you know in business or as a working professional You know, these things apply. Okay, so So it's it's good that we study them and it's good that we apply them You know more than just be curious about it It's good that we apply it in our lives and and enjoy the fruit of it, right? Okay, so so first of all Let me just share the notes and Okay, so We're on page 18 and we're looking at you know, just going through that list of 15 things Practical things that we can consider So first of which is stewardship, right? Biblical stewardship. So this is something for us to know and understand. We know who a steward is a steward is another name for a manager one who is an overseer and one who To whom is entrusted the responsibility of looking after maybe it's a it's a it could be you know certain Certain function it could be Finances it could be certain responsibility. So a steward, right? So when it comes to the word of God, you know We can define biblical stewardship in this way that it's the use of God given resources for accomplishing for carrying out God God's objectives, right? God objectives or God's objectives like it's it's the usage It's the usage of God given resources. Okay, so so it is it is not a one-time thing We know it's it's because it involves spending decision so Resources when we say resources it involves money it won't involves time it involves our ability and everything so Everything comes under that the bracket that category of resources But primarily of course, we are talking about finances, right? So we see that First of all, you know when it comes to stewardship, we understand that everything belongs to God You know, this is something that we saw earlier on in the course that That everything belongs to him, right? We see in Let me just check that was here some 24 and worse one Just put it here for us in the chat Sam 24 and worse one. It says that the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness and the world and those who dwell there and so We see that he is really the owner. He's the one who possesses everything, you know every wealth and In another place where God declares the gold is mine the silver is mine the cattle on a thousand hills Everything belongs to him. Okay, so so we come with an understanding that okay God everything belongs to you and even when you know through my profession or ministry or business You know when when I went when when I handle the wealth that comes in as a result of Yeah, of the you know the success of the work that I do or in return for the work that I do the wealth that I You know the money that I hold in my hand. I know that it is it is something that belongs to you and You've you know you because of your favorite race I'm able to you know have this and because of your provision, right? This is the way in which you provide for my needs either my need and collectively for us as a family You've made it possible like for us to do this. So First and foremost is to have that understanding, right? That everything belongs to him. So then it's important for us to have that understanding Because what of what follows next? Okay? because we see in the word of God that a Steward is One who is faithful Okay faithful in what is entrusted to him or her right one who is Okay faithful to everything that has been entrusted so without faithfulness there is no stewardship Okay, so if I I just put the verse in the chat again one Corinthians 4 verses 1 and 2 give a pulse right and he says Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God Okay, so the revelation knowledge and understanding and the you know the hidden mysteries that were revealed and so he's saying you Consider us as servants and stewards of the mysteries of God First to moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. So faithfulness You know integrity is a very important aspect of stewardship. So Well, whatever the Lord puts or brings our way puts it in our hands, you know So when when I go back to him and I ask him God, what do I do with it, right? So faithfulness is important because and the Lord entrusts and the Lord says okay, this is what you do Then am I being faithful? Am I being faithful and stewarding it? Well, you know We see other aspects of stewardship a steward always, you know, if it's interesting when we study, you know a steward increases Steward not only takes care protects but also increases we see in the parable that the Lord Jesus, you know spoke taught He required the stewards to whom he had given to to actually multiply what he had interested them So a good steward is faithful a good steward protects what has been interested a good steward also enhances or Increases what has been entrusted into his or her hand, right? So so that is something that we see so When it comes to stewardship, we we we can consider all this in that first of all, it has been given to me so, you know, I need to be faithful and And and the thing is that Since it has been in a sense that I'm seen as a steward by God You know, I I need to be faithful. I need to protect not just protect but also Increase what has been entrusted to me Okay So what can I do to do that and and the Lord will lead the Lord will guide Another scripture that's that's helpful for us is in Luke chapter 16 Versus 10 onwards. So it's 10 to 13 Okay, let me just share that entire verse Um Section portion of scripture. So it says he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much And he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much Therefore, if you've not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon Who will commit to you the true to your trust the true riches? Okay, that's versus 10 and 11. So the thing is this, you know, when it comes to faithfulness It's not about the amount or it's not about the quantity It's not about that quantum of what we have or what has been put in our hands, you know, many times We think, you know, hey, this is just a small amount or this is just a small thing So it really doesn't matter, you know, how I spend it or how I use it or if I'm being careful with it You know, it's just a small amount. Oh, I know this person gave it to me and it's just a matter of 100 rupees So it's fine. You know, that person won't ask It's okay But actually the thing is it doesn't matter. You know, the quantity doesn't matter But it's really a heart behind it. How you treat what has been given to you And so while we are waiting for that big thing to come and then we'll be found faith We want to be faithful. You know, how are we in the small things? I'm with scriptures very clear. He was faithful in the least, you know, is faithful also in much The opposite is true. He was going to be unfaithful in the in the small things is going to be unfaithful in the bigger things as well right, he's just going to Apply the same principle there or you know, whatever his heart is it's not been dealt with It's going to be the same way. So so that is the thing, you know And and the Lord asked the question verse 12 We see that and if you have not been faithful and what is another man's who will give to you? What is your own? Okay, so We started by saying, okay, everything belongs to God, right? So it belongs to him and And maybe the Lord, you know entrusts us with great responsibilities and great stewardship So are we faithful in it because if we are not faithful in what is small if we are not faithful in what is another person's Then how can we be faithful in what is what is big and how can we be faithful in what is really our own, right? So that's an important thing to consider when it comes to stewardship Okay, biblical stewardship, right? Okay That's let's move on to the next thing which is financial planning. Okay, so when it comes to You know closely flowing out of stewardship is financial planning. So What what what does it mean, you know, when I say, you know, financial planning, is it okay to plan? Is it okay? Is it scriptural? You know, we saw earlier that Well, it is okay to plan But it's not okay to worry it's not okay to, you know, have worry as a source and and then You know, do the other actions because the the Lord Jesus very clear clearly says in Matthew 6, you know Don't worry and it's linked to needs legitimate needs, right? Do not worry about what you will eat What you will drink do not worry about the food that I mean the clothes that you will put on, right? So these are legitimate needs, but Lord is Against us worrying because that means that we are not actually putting our faith in him We're not trusting in him, right? So So it's not about the Lord is not against us planning For the future now that is not lack of faith worry is lack of faith if we use our God-given creativity if we use our God-given You know skills and abilities and talents and if we include God in the planning process There's nothing wrong in planning for the future fact Proverbs is full of You know such wisdom About planning about working and and so on Okay, but the but the scripture also warns us about being selfish scripture also warns us about Putting our trust in the wealth and riches. So these are this is the other side of it, right? So so we don't have to you know, totally do away with financial planning You don't have to totally, you know do away with okay, you know Allocation of resources. Yeah, so one way of looking at it financial planning is it's Allocating, okay. This is how much I'm getting every month. Okay, so to What expense can I allocate it? You know, I remember when we initially you know initial days of marriage? Of course many years ago, so The salary that we used to get was it was a very limited amount and Very small even those days considered Considering the expenses in a in a city like Bangalore So it was a small amount and I was working, you know in a in a Organization and as a salesperson and so You know, we would set aside the amount for tight and and I was the only person working at that time And so what we used to do is, you know, we used to have these envelopes envelopes, you know four or five of those and then as soon as the salary comes, you know, we'll draw the whole thing and then put it in non-velopes and And then, you know, salary This I'm sorry house rent would be this much You know to pay for the electricity bill would be this much and you know, not many things I don't think anything was paid online at that time So we used to I used to do that You know the draw the money and then put it in these envelopes and then so these were separate expenses right rent bills to be paid Electricity bill, maybe the for the, you know groceries. This is what we are going to pay. So like that, right? So similarly, you know, when we look at our monthly expenses, if there are different It comes under different heads or maybe we I'm sure some of us would have would be very very meticulous In this aspect, maybe you're very well planned and if not, you know, we can you know, you can be okay Let's say, you know, for example, if your income No, you're the total income is let's say 45,000 per month You know, I'm just just a figure that is put there. It could be anything. It could be 10,000 It could be whatever four lakhs So a percentage of that. Okay. It goes to the tight 10% and then there is some amount which goes for taxes Now this table that you see here It's not a perfect table because if you add up these percentages goes beyond 100 So I just marked out that miscellaneous, which is, you know, the 105th percentage. So I just put that down but if you look at You know, these are major expenses, right? They could be something for housing place of stay It could be rent. It could be, you know, maybe an EMI towards a housing loan, maybe or it could be you know, so housing and There could be another Expense which is for food. So accommodation food Transport, right? Which you put as auto, you know, it could be short for automobile. So it could be transport. It could be Your commute from work, whatever you're using, whatever you're spending on it It's just a rough example. It need not be 12%. So so you see that most of it, you know, if you look at these three heads that would form You know, almost 60% of it Okay, so what the experts say is that, you know, what we have at hand after our tithes and taxes Okay What we have at hand That it should not go beyond this major expense should not go beyond 70% Okay, now We're not going into how that 70% has arrived at but it's a healthy thing. It's a safe thing to keep it Less than 70%. Okay, so here we see 60% allotted to that There could be other heads like insurance, maybe debt meaning, you know, there is a loan that is a repayment of it something for recreation You know, taking the family out maybe, you know, to an entertainment park or or maybe To a restaurant or something. So these are, you know Legitimate expenses, you know, there could be clothing, maybe some medical Maybe there's some school or childcare and some investments. Okay, so this is a you can go through this table and See and and you can actually write down your own table of a list of expenses Right and it's good to do that So, you know monthly what is the expense? Yeah, so so the so the thing is this Normally we We may not we may or may not, you know, look into this or take Be mindful of this but it's good to list down. Okay. Where my expenses are where our expenses are and especially, you know, if you're You know, there is a family and there are children and You know, there are these are real responsibilities and commitments and, you know, it it has certain financial Bearings, you know, like children's needs for the household Education of the children and when it happens, etc. So it's good to, you know, list that down. Okay And see, okay, can I budget for this? Okay, so it's good to track Maybe for a month or two and see, okay, this is how much I normally spend and And you know, it will help and help us to analyze help us to see, okay, you know Where where can I, you know, where can I increase? Where should I increase really? You know my spending where should I increase and where should I cut down? Right, so I feel that something is a wasteful expense. I'm spending so much on let's say recreation, you know in the name of recreation eating out, you know It's let's say, you know, I can in sort of four times in a month Bring it down to once a month or maybe twice a month So decisions like that. So it's not hard and fast, but you know as a family, you know You can collectively make a decision or maybe as an individual you can collectively make when you can You know analyze and make and make a decision. So it's up to you It's up to you Okay, so this is something, you know, which is useful to do to budget and to plan and it will help you You know when you in you when you allocate and say, okay, this is how much I'm getting This is how much I need to spend and into 12 will give you the expense for the entire year And of course, it's not going to remain the same, right your your income would go up The place where you are right now, you know in terms of finances in terms of what how much you're, you know Getting will not be the same, right and and definitely in God Even as you walk with God, you know, God will Enable you to prosper. He will give you the wisdom. He will give you the opportunities. He will give us the You know, he'll give us a grace and the opportunities and and bring us to a place where there is Increase, right? So we don't have to fear that, right? This will be the place. It's going to go down No, no God will take us to a place of increase. So that's for sure. No, that's his heart Okay, so here are some a basic guidelines for Financial success. Okay, so if we were to look at some these are very basic things and we know this is, you know It's just practical wisdom. The first thing would be spend less than you earn Okay it's you know anybody can You know resonate with that spend less than you earn. So the question is Just one second, please Okay, so this is what We see in Proverbs 1311 that weight wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished But he who gathers by labor will increase. Okay, so there is You know the wealth that you get either by dishonesty or by labor but When it comes to dishonesty That wealth is Is useless. It's not a blessing. It will diminish But when it comes to, you know, honest labor, you know, there is increase. Okay, so So that's something so so having established. Yes There is some earnings in labor So now The thing is challenges to spend less than what we actually earn Spend less than what we earn. So so the question is, okay, how can I how can I spend more? You know than what I earn this is not money that I have in my hands. How can I spend more? The answer is that Well, when we don't have we tend to borrow Right, we tend to ask people or maybe we tend to ask or use You know credit cards right when we don't have money in our hand, we tend to use these and Maybe there's an overdraft in a bank. We can use that and then all these ways by which we We use we spend more than what we actually Earn and we get into a cycle of debt. Okay, so The thing is this that we need to be able to spend or live within our means, you know, we might say You know, that's very extremely difficult the way I'm living right now the way things are right now, you know, yes You understand, you know, there could be you know, there could be challenges That could be things that we are facing maybe because of previous debt, right? but the thing is to come to a place of paying off that debt or you know recovering from that debt Okay, so there are experts who can help us We're not going into that in in in this course, but with regard to You know repaying of debt and with regard to Managing our finances and then how to repay that debt, you know So many so many ways when you when we consider that okay These are our assets Right when we what do we say as asset, you know, it could be Maybe land that you own house that you own a vehicle that you own or maybe jewelry that you have or Equipment that you have right so there are assets that we have Which could be You know, which could be used against a repaying of that debt you know because A debt can really hold us back Right because whatever we earn it goes into repaying of the debt Okay, and and the quality of life diminishes, right? So, uh, so first thing spend less than you earn avoid the use of debt okay And there's and there's a good reason why the there's wisdom in that because um the scripture talks about how The borrower is a slave to the lender Okay, uh, because I think that's what probes 22 7 is let's look at that verse probes 22 and verse 7 Okay, uh, the rich rules over the poor And the borrower is servant to the lender okay, so that's that's the thing because you know It can be a very embarrassing thing when when you know people who to whom we owe money Come and ask and sometimes harris And say, okay, this is You need to pay back, right? So avoid the use of debt now Now debt in a small in in small Ways, you know, if it's manageable, it is good, you know, like sometimes there could be You know loan that has been that has been taken maybe to buy a land buy a vehicle buy You know something and you take it with the With the full knowledge that it is within your means Like, you know, if you look at the table that we looked at earlier Um, you see this here There is a column for debt It's put as five percent, which is very less and You know, maybe it could be more in some cases Where, you know, there is a repayment of debt Maybe a loan maybe something that we have, you know, bought maybe even a credit card debt That you're paying off so It's best to avoid it Right or clear it And sometimes, you know, you you use your card Maybe to buy something that is online But make sure that doesn't go into a debt The other thing that we see is to To build liquidity. So what does it mean to build liquidity? Okay, so That means that you Build the means by which you can actually, you know, you can pay off Or you build Cash reserves as it is called, right? Okay, let's look at this verse Proverb 6628 or You know, it talks about Some very strong exaltation, right? Proverb 66 Go to the Antius Lugger. Consider ways. Consider her ways and be wise which having no captain overseer or ruler Provides her supplies in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest Okay, so what is and do provides her supplies in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest? So so there is So when we look at when we say liquidity, which means that there is some amount of saving Which you can easily access Right, which which is not locked away In terms of, you know, sometimes saving can be in the form of You know in the form of jewelry, it can be in the form of land Right now that cannot be, you know, automatically used when there is a need Right or immediately used when there is a need when there is a urgent need for Cash to be used for money to be used to be spent, you know, if it's in the form of Jewels if it's in the form of Land or even housing that cannot be used It'll take some time to sell off To convert it and to use it. So when we say liquidity, it's it's something that You know, it's hard cash that you can use Right, so it's good to build liquidity, which means that you can invest you can save And you can use, right? Okay set long-term goals Set long-term financial goals saying that okay, we will First of all, it's I just want to say that it's it's not wrong It's not wrong to have long-term. It's not it's not wrong to have financial goals It's not wrong to have long-term financial goals. Okay, so all the while, you know, our understanding is this, you know, we are coming to a place of saying God You know, you you are first and foremost Right. God, you are first and foremost, Lord everything that I have or everything in this world belongs to you Okay, so that's that we are not you know compromising on that, right? And we are also saying that that God You know, you have the right of way You have the right of way you are sovereign and I must you are and I'm going to be faithful and obedient You have the right of way, right? So we are looking at that we are we are saying, you know, we are we come to that place of understanding And we also know that God is our provider that he is he takes pleasure in the success and the prosperity of his servants, right? He is he's not He's not, you know, holding back. He's generous. He's a provider And he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. So Well, so that's the thing and our heart is not On the money, you know, but in using the money well that God gives into our hands So so when it comes to that, okay, so how can I use it? Well, you know, do I have some long-term financial goals? It means that, you know, even planning on You know saving Investing Planning on providing for some very legitimate needs. Okay, maybe let's let's say Okay, and today I'm living in a in a house. That's, you know, we have let's say paying rent Is there some way by which You know, we can purchase or buy a house later. Can I work towards that financially? Now this is, you know, this is personal absolutely personal Right, you know, there are people who say, you know, I don't want to I don't need to Right, I will just live with You know three or four pairs of clothes You know, that's it You know, I have four trousers and people would say, you know, there are people who say that I have Um, these four trousers and these four shirts And this is enough. I I live within this Right, nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing wrong Uh, the problem is if we start looking down on others Okay, who have more than four four pairs of clothes Right now that's that's not our place Right to look down on others who have who have wealth Or to look down on others who do not have, you know, who make a decision saying this is how I want to live Right, this is how I want to live my life and Uh, this is this is as simple as it can get. I want to live it. Fine. No problem at all. Right. Okay, so Set long-term goals. Uh, there's nothing wrong and believe that God owns it all. Okay Um Okay, when it comes to goals, okay, I think we looked at that. We said, you know When you plan financially we we can have goals we can have goals in life and and actually to have a goal You know, if you look at it, it's a it's really a statement of faith Right, you're saying that God in in four years or five years. I want to work towards this I want to put away a certain amount of money and I want to be able to, you know Maybe buy this so that I can give it to this person or buy this so I can, you know, give it to this ministry And there are people who do that, right? We want to use We want to, you know, set aside this amount so that we can, you know, help Reach the kingdom, right? I mean reach Reach the world or with God's God with the gospel of God expand the kingdom. So there are people who do that So, uh, which is amazing, right? That's how that's that's their financial goal And if it's, you know, something that's for the household, you know, for the family For the children, right? There is absolutely nothing wrong. Okay, so um Let me just share this verse, uh, the scripture with you Um, where it's the Lord Jesus, uh, when he's talking about, um He's talking about counting the cost really, you know, counting the cost About following him Okay, um, making a decision to follow him. So the Lord is You know, just explaining and he's teaching, you know, have you counted your cost? You know, so that your love for me is is even like hate Towards your mother and father and and so on. He's not saying, you know, dishonor them But in comparison, your love, you know, your love for them is Is like this, you know That you love me more than all that you love you put God first and foremost in your life So have you counted the cost of following me in that manner? So in line with that He shares, um, this very important truth Okay, so let me just share that verse here Okay, which is uh look chapter 14 And uh versus 28 to 30 Look chapter 14 28 to 30 So let's read that for which of you intending to build a tower Does not sit down first and count the cost Whether he has enough to finish it Lest after he had laid the foundation and is not able to finish All who see it begin to mock him saying this man began to build and was not able to finish So he's really talking about counting the cost. So So several things we can learn that okay, so planning To build something planning something for the future Right, this is something in the future, you know Um, it's it's not yet there in existence It's something in the future So working towards that planning Towards that which involves a cost financially is not wrong Right, it's absolutely. In fact, the Lord is saying you you better do it Right, you better count the cost You you better plan ahead and do it You know, uh, lest The project gets abandoned halfway or maybe, you know, you're nearing the end. You're not able to finish So, you know, you're laying the foundation you started the work and etc. And you're not able to finish so you count the cost So, um, so so we see that No, it's it's okay to have goals to work towards goals Um, so something important about goals is that you know, it is a something about the future. It is a statement of faith But, um, we need to measure it in terms of amount and time Okay, very important to consider these two amount and time so What is it Like what is the amount? What is it that you're working for? Clearly define it right and the time The time that is going to take Right, is it months? It is years The time that is going to take so Um, so it's good to do that right okay so Following on the those lines is to understand that You know, like I said earlier Like there are people who want to live a very very simple right lifestyle and Well, they they don't want much And this is how they decided is this is maybe they they have the means But they decided this is how they will live Okay, so they will invest In other things they will invest invest in people invest in You know, maybe ministries giveaway and so on No, so the in scripture, you know, we're not Told, you know, this is how you need to live You know, this is how You need to be But it is just that we can decide Okay, we can decide because you know, we we know that it's when we say, okay, he's a rich person Or a wealthy person or a poor person It's a very relative term right it's very in the sense it's you know Maybe in a in a certain place considering You know the way things are financially in that particular place maybe having a you know, um Let's say a vehicle like a two wheeler like maybe like a bicycle. It's considered a big thing right and The people around will consider that person to be wealthy Okay, why because this person has this right, but Maybe in another place You know, that may not be the case It could be common to have a bicycle a two wheeler Right, so it's really a relative thing when you say this person is wealthy and this person is poor and so on so Okay, so so a lifestyle okay Now the bible does not say, okay, this is how this is how you need to live and It just you know, the bible just declares that yes our Faith should not be in the material things Right, our faith our reliance should be should not be in the riches that our heart should be for god But our faith should be in god So which is very very clear in first Timothy chapter 6 and verse 17 It talks about you know For chapter 6 talks about godliness with contentment is great gain and then on to verse 17 Which okay, let's just read that. I think it's been a while since we read that verse um, we Read it at the beginning of the course right first Timothy chapter 6 and And verse 17, okay Okay So what does it say it says, um Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty Not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living god who gives us richly all things to enjoy Right, so that verse talks about where our heart needs to be, you know, what we should put our where we should put our trust in and God when we look at god himself who richly provides right? He is generous who richly gives he's a giver All things for us to enjoy So so that's the that's the you know, the big picture So when it comes to a lifestyle also that um, we need to understand that just by having things or more of it Or putting our trust in it, you know, that's not going to result in contentment, you know, we're not going to be content We're not going to be satisfied With with all that right, so we need to understand that So we can decide okay, this is how we are going to live, you know, we can decide, okay Let there be no lack Right, let our needs be met And let us have more and enough and more so that our needs are met and We can meet the needs of others as well. We can be a blessing, you know to those who are connected to us We can be a source of blessing Okay If we have about two more minutes and then let's let's look at borrowing and debt and And then we'll close okay, so so borrowing and debt okay, so when it comes to borrowing when it comes to lending Uh, you know is borrowing a sin? Well, it is not Right, you can when there is you know, when there's uh, when there's a need you can but then always understand that Borrowing places you at a disadvantage. It restricts certain Things in in you, you know, if you're let's say practically, you know, if you're going to be You know if you're going to take a loan, you know, that's like an institutional borrowing, right? You take a loan From a bank you have to repay that loan Right, so when you you know every month it's going to some amount of money has to be repaid A specific amount of money and it's going to be repaid for x amount of time meaning it could be like Depending on how the how big the loan was Maybe it's a student loan. Maybe it's a house loan, you know, whatever housing loan vehicle loan You know, it's fine. It's not sin. It's it's another way to you know You know access certain things goods and services But we need to know that when you you have to pay back And in the end of paying back there is the interest, you know, understand all that So which means when you're paying back, you're paying back more than what you actually borrowed Right, and you're paying back for A certain period of time. Maybe maybe it's maybe it's five years, 10 years, whatever Understand that so in during those five years your spending is going to be limited Right, so that is the thing that is there it will be restrictive But I know with that understanding you go in for borrowing. Okay Okay Now when it comes to borrowing it can be it can result in conflict within the family, you know, if there is no understanding right if the husband borrows and the wife is not kept in the dark meaning the wife is unaware of it and you know, it results in unnecessary conflict between the husband and the wife so um One has to have proper understanding. It has to be transparent between the husband and the wife um, you know, sometimes the husband would have borrowed And maybe the husband passes away and the entire You know, the weight of paying back Is on the family, you know, we've seen Such scenarios as well. So Well, the family has to know, you know, it's a substantial, you know, sometimes The men don't talk about it to the rest of the family family is completely in the dark and then it comes as a surprise When the person is not there and the family has to bear the brunt of You know paying back and it's a heavy burden on the entire family the spouse the the children um, so We need to understand that also You know, sometimes people Just borrow and borrow and borrow and spend spend and spend Because there's a deeper issue, you know, it's a deeper spiritual issue. Maybe there are some addictions There are some things which are related to that Because of which they do it, right? So we need to, you know, look at borrowing, you know, rather seriously and and Look to repaying debts Okay, which are there loans and coming out of it as soon as possible or managing it or doing it in the right way Then it's manageable. Okay, so we'll stop here and the next class we'll look at The rest of it and also I I've also I just pulled out some questions Which in earlier classes, you know, they were asked to just have a some of the so we'll we'll time permits we'll Discuss those questions also Right. Okay Fine. Thank you so much We'll see you soon. Bye. Bye. God bless