“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
Today, we celebrate the seventh year of the FAOGW Women’s Investment Webinar with a portfolio audit.
Imagine your heart as an investment committee meeting. Around the table sit three permanent board members: Spender, Investor, and Giver. Whenever God blesses you with an increase, they all raise their hands at once.
Spender says, “I’ve worked hard. I deserve this.”
Investor says, “Store it away. Invest for a brighter tomorrow.”
Giver says, “Whose prayer might this answer?”
None of these voices is inherently wrong. The issue is not whether we spend, invest, or give. The issue is which voice occupies the chairperson’s seat, especially when resources are limited.
Jesus warned that we cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Mammon promises security, identity, and significance, ironically, all things that belong to God alone.
Wealth reveals what already governs our hearts. Consider Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Their sin was not ownership. It was hypocrisy. They wanted the reputation of generosity while secretly clinging to control. Their money exposed a divided heart. It appeared they loved the appearance of surrender more than surrender itself.
English Philosopher Francis Bacon provokes us with the coined words “Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.” This is an invitation to make money work for you. Make it your servant. Make it an instrument of praise to God from your heart. This requires a balance of discernment, wisdom, vision, planning, and execution.
Here’s a practical Three-Question Heart Scorecard below. Score each from 1 (rarely)
to 5 (consistently) and use the scoring guide for your self audit:
- When I receive an increase, is my first instinct to honour God before benefiting myself?
- Do I see money primarily as a tool for Kingdom stewardship or personal consumption?
- Would I remain content and obedient if God asked me to release a treasured asset?
Score Guide:
- 12-15: Money serves your mission and faith in God.
- 8-11: Mixed stewardship signals.
- 3-7: Mammon may be gaining influence.
Before auditing your income and investment portfolio, audit your heart today. You will discover that your money habits will reveal your worship habits.
Money is useful, and God-given, and God must receive the glory by how we steward all our wealth. Even in our spending.
We trust that in this seventh year of FAOGW WIW, there has been improved stewardship of your finances. Come and testify to the wonders of God!
Read: Proverbs 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:17
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 119:81-88; 2 Timothy 1; Jeremiah 48; Jeremiah 49:1-6