Allow me to offer to you the ten most obvious signs of reproof:

• Being in situations where we "think" we have to borrow money in order to survive: God knows we are not to turn those away who come to us to borrow. But in the same breath, He tells us not to borrow. What this means is that God understands the way poverty-stricken people think. He also knows they will come to us for help by way of "short-term debts." It does NOT mean that God places approval on short or long-term debts. What it does mean is that He does not want us to turn away from those people who "think" they need to borrow to survive. When we are the poverty-stricken ones in need, with the big boat in the garage, He knows a reproof is in line.

• Overdue bills: There are two types of overdue bills. The first is the most innocent; those who have bills due, which are not a result of debt spending (like rent, utilities, etc.). The second kind of "overdue bills" is a result of debt mentality. With those kinds of overdue bills, God is not quick to send a "miraculous provider" to bail us out. He can, but He usually allows the debt to become our tutor to quicken our hearts to detest additional debt.

• Grandiose thinking: Proverbs 28:22 says: "A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him." A tall tale sign we are about to be reproved by God is that we are suffering with a mind running after wealth. If we want to challenge the hand of God, we just need to set our eyes upon being wealthy and we will quickly see the other side of God's hand. It doesn't matter if the Christian is emergent (God doesn't want me unhappy) in his thinking; this WILL...read more here

Identity in Finances - Ten Signs of Reproof. Copyright © 2015 IOM America. Permission to reproduce for educational purposes. Please keep author's name intact.