Forgiveness and Finances

Getting ripped off financially can leave lasting scars.  

If you’ve ever lost money through deceit or fraud , you may have lost far more than your finances. Bitterness in the heart is like a backpack full of heavy rocks and stones. To relieve yourself of the misery you have to forgive. Only then is the weight lessened. Mayo Clinic reports that “if you don’t practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly.” Forgiveness can improve relationships and mental health, lower your blood pressure, anxiety, stress and hostility. It improves heart health, self-esteem and your immune system, and surprise, surprise, these all effect your finances.

In The Young Peacemaker, Corlette Sande gives 4 tips to find peace with an easy to remember jingle:  

Good thought. 

Hurt you not.

Gossip never. 

Friends forever.

Good thought comes from Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Hurt you not comes from 1 Corinthians 13:5:  “It (love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Gossip never comes from Proverbs 26:20: “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” And friends forever comes from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” 

When you forgive and experience the peace of God, your priorities are reoriented. So lighten your burdens by trusting God and forgiving others. And if you’ve been helped by Crown or this radio station, may I ask you to support us this year? You can resolve to begin giving today at crown.org.