Widow for a Season: Finding Your Identity in Christ

Chapter Ten: Seven Principles of GOIA

Summary:

   The topic of chapter ten is personal finances.  Beginning with the understanding that God owns everything an examination of how to budget your money and deal with other financial concerns is examined.  The main resource of reference is Larry Burkett’s book entitled, The Financial Guide for Single Parents but other sources are also used including the internet resource offered by Crown Financial Ministries.  Basic information is also given to educate the widow on government programs such as Social Security and federal laws that have been enacted for her benefit.  Health insurance options and information on Health Savings Accounts are also investigated.            

Excerpt:

Chapter Ten - Seven Principles of GOIA

GOIA is an acronym for God Owns It All. 

The seven principles of GOIA are:

1.  God Owns It All

2.  I manage money for God

3.  Every spending decision is a spiritual act

4.  Contentment rules our hearts

5.  Debt is dangerous. Get rid of it. Stay away   

      from it. Use it very, very sparingly.

6. 6.  Saving and investing are wise, but we   

          should not put our trust in them.

7.  Giving is a gift to the giver [i]

     On some level every believer is consciously aware of the fact that God, as creator, is in total control of his creation and the universe; however, we might not necessarily think of that ownership as extending to our money, homes, clothes, money, cars, and money.  In Romans 8:32 Paul says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”  If God has promised to give us all things then they must first be His to give.  The seven principles of GOIA operate out of that belief.  We are the storehouses of God’s wealth.  He lends us His houses to live in until He needs them for another purpose.  When we are gone He will give them to someone else.  He gives each one of us an income.  He allows us to borrow the cars we drive since we paid for them with the money He gave us.  He provides the money for our food and clothes, and as amazing as it may seem at times he may provide our food and clothes without giving us the money first!  He is so free and automatic with His giving that sometimes we forget who is the giver and who is the receiver — especially when it comes to generously giving back a portion to Him.  We may even begin to make decisions about the things that He has given us as if He no longer has ownership in them.

. . . Finally, To make these budget ideas work you must step out in faith.  It will just not work outside of God’s miracles.  It will stretch you beyond belief but it is exciting to watch the Lord provide.  The trick is to learn how to wait on Him and His plans for your life.  As you learn how to recognize the Lord in the things you once might have perceived as unrelated coincidences your relationship will grow into a deep and trusted dependence.  You will get better at reading His signals.  Keep His Word close as that standard of measuring every decision.  Know that this season of widowhood was not by accident.  God has a purpose in it and He loves and adores you.  I hope that through this book you have learned to receive the words “trust in the Lord” with joy and all sufficiency.  I hope you know now how to put feet to your trust.  I pray that you will truly find this season of widowhood will be one set apart by God, a place of privilege in the shelter of the Most High.  God Bless!

[1] Pastor Mike Gauch, Sermon on Financial Mangement, January 2002, excerpt printed with permission.