Mike Cosgrove, Executive Director, True North Financial Ministries

My new friends,

My area of expertise is finance-specifically finance with a Kingdom/Biblical perspective.  When Pastor Dewey asked me to get involved with For God’s Glory Alone, I was so excited!  Anytime I get the chance to share God’s word while helping families, businesses, or individuals I’m pumped!

This is my first post but there will be many more to come.  I will post as often as possible but at least every Monday, and make every attempt to address any questions you might have.

Today I’d like to share with you a little about handling money from God’s perspective.  If I were to take the approximately 2,350 verses of scripture that apply to the handling of money and possessions, they would fit into three distinct categories; Ownership, Stewardship, and Generosity.  In most cases, we tend to focus on tithing, as that is what most Christians have been taught over the years.  However, tithing is merely the tip of the iceberg regarding financial management.  Allow me to explain briefly today and go into more depth in the weeks ahead.

OWNERSHIP:  The bottom line:  God owns everything!  1 Chronicles 29:11, David’s prayer, says “Everything in the heavens and earth is yours O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.  Riches and honor come from you alone and you are the ruler of all mankind.” God owns your home, your paycheck, your car, your clothes…everything!  Without understanding His ownership, we will most likely live in a way that does not honor Him.

STEWARDSHIP:  Once we LIVE with the reality and understanding that God owns everything, it allows us to transition to stewardship.  A more contemporary word for stewardship is management.  God owns it all and has given it to us to manage faithfully for Kingdom purposes and for His Glory.  1 Corinthians 4:2 states “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  As Christians, we must manage everything, not just money but all possessions, for God.

GENEROSITY:  Only when we understand ownership, and manage our resources with a Kingdom perspective, can we become truly generous.  Generosity is giving without hesitation as the Holy Spirit directs to glorify and honor Jesus.  The focus is not on us but on Him.

In the next few weeks, I will go into more depth regarding these three fundamental truths.  Yes, I will also address the day to day financial issues and questions you may have as well.  Be patient with me as my schedule, like yours, is incredibly busy.  I’m excited to serve you in anyway I can.

If you’d like to learn more about True North Financial Ministries, go to my website at truenorthministries.org

I’ll see you next time.  God Bless,

Mike Cosgrove