Finances and money in general is one of the most common things that people care about. Indeed, how we manage finances will certainly affect most other aspects of our lives.
Thankfully, we have the bible which is the word of God to guide us in our day to day living. Let us consider what the bible says about finances.
God Entrusted Us with Money and Finances
The Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is a story where a master entrusted his three servants with five, two, and one talent. The servant that is entrusted with five talents doubled it to 10 talents when the master returned, while the servant with two talents doubled it to four talents.
However, the servant entrusted with one talent hid it on the ground and returned the one talent to the master. The master was displeased on this last servant since he did not do anything with the one talent. The master said that he could have at least deposited the one talent on the bank and made some interest.
In the same way, God entrusted us with abilities, talents, time, and finances on Earth. As servants, we have to use these resources into what is pleasing to God and make good use of our finances and God given abilities.
We have to be good stewards of what God has given us, including money. Before spending anything or creating a budget, consider God in the equation.
Live within your means
A part of being a good steward is not spending more than what you earned. Overspending usually leads to debt and at first, small amounts of debt may seem negligible. Overspending month after month may lead to a large amount of debt.
Creating a monthly budget may help to plan ahead and not overspend. Plan your expected income and how much you are planning to spend on food, necessities, savings and giving to others.
Also, having debt may hinder us to help others. Money on debt repayments could have been used on something else. As stewards of money, we have to be financially responsible. In case you have debt, ask God to better handle the debt and eventually pay it off over time.
Do not worry about Finances
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:25-26
God created everything on Earth. He is more than capable and willing to give us our needs. We have to depend and trust on Him and ultimately, prioritize Him first. Instead of worrying, focus on God.
It may seem hard to “not worry” during financial problems, but God is greater than everything. We can focus on God rather than focusing on our problems.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:31-33
Big amounts of debt may seem insurmountable to overcome. Thankfully, God created everything and nothing is impossible with Him.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
Hope in God rather than on wealth
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17
At the end of the day, we can lose our wealth anytime due to an unforeseen event. Markets can crash anytime and no job is guaranteed for life. Also, we cannot bring wealth after death.
More importantly, wealth alone do not necessarily bring fulfillment in life. Many rich people still worry about many things.
On the other hand, God is faithful and true to His promises. The Lord that raised the dead, made the blind see and the lame to walk is the same God who we are calling to. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
What do you treasure most in life? What will hurt you the most if it disappear? Reflect what do you treasure most in life.
24 “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.
Matthew 6:24
“Serving money” seems too strong of a statement on this verse. To make it clearer, what’s your priority in life? Is it doing X, Y, Z to have the end goal of making money or the end goal is to ultimately serve the Lord?
Money in itself is not bad. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Money can be a great tool to achieve things in life.
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Borrower is slave to the lender
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7 New Living Translation
Related: How to Keep Faith During Hard Times