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Margin is the distance between where we are and our limits. \xa0\xa0

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,\xa0and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)\xa0

FULL (Perissos) = exceeding some number, measure, rank or need; over and above; more than is necessary; something further

Discovering BREATHING ROOM is not about learning how to ESCAPE your life, but how to properly LIVE your life.

Message Title:\xa0 Financial Breathing Room

The lack of margin and healthy rhythm in our lives is often a result of the condition of our finances.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,\xa0where moths and vermin destroy,\xa0and where thieves break in and steal.\xa0 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,\xa0where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.\xa0 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21(NIV)

Our STANDARD OF LIVING does not equal our QUALITY OF LIFE.

DEBT can RAISE your STANDARD OF LIVING, but will LOWER your QUALITY OF LIFE.

DISCIPLINE can LOWER your standard of living, but will INCREASE your QUALITY OF LIFE.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7(NIV)

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. \xa0Rich and poor have this in common: The\xa0Lord\xa0is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)\xa0

The prudent see danger and take refuge,\xa0but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)

Humility is the fear of the\xa0Lord; its wages are riches and honor\xa0and life. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)\xa0

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)

Start\xa0children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)

The rich rule over the poor,\xa0and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:1-7 (NIV)

God does not just give us PRINCIPALS to live by, but PREDICTIONS of the outcome.\xa0

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Luke 16:13 (NIV)

\xa03 Decisions that lead to Financial Breathing Room\xa0

Decide your PERCENTAGE.

Bring the whole tithe\xa0into the storehouse,\xa0that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,\u201d says the\xa0Lord\xa0Almighty, \u201cand see if I will not throw open the floodgates\xa0of heaven and pour out\xa0so much blessing\xa0that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 (NIV)\xa0

God is not looking at the amount, but the amount in relation to what you have.\xa0\xa0

Honor the\xa0Lord\xa0with your wealth, with the first fruits\xa0of all your crops; then your barns will be filled\xa0to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

God will always take your 90% further than we could ever take our 100%.

Decide on a PLAN.

A Budget tells your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.

Plans fail for lack of counsel,\xa0but with many advisers\xa0they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Decide to KEEP TRUSTING GOD.

The wife of a man from the company\xa0of the prophets cried out to Elisha, \u201cYour servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the\xa0Lord. But now his creditor\xa0is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.\u201d 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)

Elisha replied to her, \u201cHow can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?\u201d

\u201cYour servant has nothing there at all,\u201d she said, \u201cexcept a small jar of olive oil.\u201d 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)

Elisha said, \u201cGo around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don\u2019t ask for just a few.\xa0 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.\u201d 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.\xa0 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, \u201cBring me another one.\u201d

But he replied, \u201cThere is not a jar left.\u201d Then the oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)

She went and told the man of God,\xa0and he said, \u201cGo, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.\u201d 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)