Scripture addresses finances extensively because when Jesus becomes our Lord, His lordship extends to every area of life, including money. With 2,350 biblical verses addressing financial matters and 17% of Jesus' recorded words dealing with money, God clearly has much to say about this crucial area of stewardship. The path to financial freedom follows a challenging but rewarding pattern: give at least 10% to God's work, save at least 10% for the future, and live on 80% or less of your income. Debt creates a form of slavery where portions of our income belong to creditors rather than being available for God's direction. Practical steps include buying a smaller house than you qualify for, choosing shorter mortgage terms, and saving for future car purchases rather than financing them. Solomon's wisdom from Ecclesiastes teaches us to think like tree farmers rather than annual crop farmers, investing in long-term growth. Diversification protects against unforeseen circumstances, while developing multiple income streams provides security, as God blesses different areas at different times. Most importantly, faithful tithing is one of the few areas where God invites us to test His promises, promising to pour out blessings and to protect our resources when we bring the full tenth to His storehouse.