Faith And Finances

The reason for becoming financially free seems clear-cut. After all, having the resources to do something besides pay bills seems like the most logical reason. While having the freedom to do what you want, when you want is probably a high priority, there are also other reasons that you may have not thought about.

For some, finances and debt are very closely tied to their faith. Learning God’s principles of finances and practicing them daily is essentially another way to get to know Christ more intimately and have the freedom to serve him with their money. Eliminating debt is also a time of learning to trust God with our finances. There are some biblical principles that will help in these areas.

The first principle is that we must recognize that God already owns everything, including your family, your time, and your possessions.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” (Psalm 24:1 NASB)

The Bible also has much to say about debt. We should break the bad habits that keep us in debt and save so that we don’t have to borrow.

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.” (Proverbs 15:16 NASB)

“The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.” (Psalm 37:21 NASB)

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Proverbs 22:7 NASB)

Another principle is the belief in God’s provision for you. God knows what is best for you and has promised to provide for all of your needs. Believe God’s promise that your needs will be met. Sometimes He’ll do this through the abundance of others; however, He never promises to provide equally for everyone. As a Christian, learn to accept God’s provision for you, because it is clear evidence of the role He has designed for you in His plan.

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, will He not much more clothe you? Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ” (Matthew 6:31 NASB)

“At this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality.” (2 Corinthians 8:14 NASB)

We have all been tempted to make hasty financial decisions. Don’t believe in get-rich-quick schemes and don’t be pressured to make quick decisions based on incomplete information. There are some ways to work smarter rather than harder. However, these will never be a way to get a lot of money quickly.

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 NASB)

The best and most important principle of people of faith is to seek contentment through your relationship with God. A discontented spirit produces greed and covetousness. Contentment results from a proper relationship with God based on accepting the lifestyle that He has provided for you. That is not to say that it is wrong to seek ways to make a better life for ourselves and for our family. But we must always keep God’s plan in front of our own.

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (Philippians 4:11-12 NASB)