The Bible has a lot to say when it comes to managing our lives in a more wholesome way. Money has always influenced the way people live. However, it does not mean that it should affect the kind of people we are at heart.
If you’ve grown up in a Christian household, you may have heard it said “Practice contentment and don’t covet other people’s stuff” (derived from Exodus 20:17). But the world around us usually says otherwise in the way that it tries to sell us material things by making us want them through various advertisements.
In the modern age, our finances can be affected by just a click of a button. It makes you wonder how we can manage that power and have better control over our finances. Many books have been written and careers made based on the popularity and demand for such help.
Additionally though, people can and should turn to see the nuggets of advice that the Bible has to offer about how to manage your finances. Here is a quick guide to help us explore what the Bible says about money.
Dealing with Money— the Biblical Way
It might not be surprising but the Bible has a lot to say about the way we deal with money in our daily lives. Money is an important resource that needs to be taken care of and sometimes it is a great idea to look around for help regarding the best ways to deal with it.
Here are some things that the Bible says when it comes to handling money, whether the amount is large or small.
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Define Your Priorities
Proverbs 24: 27 clearly states: “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” This means that according to the Bible it is essential that you make luxuries a second priority to the immediate necessities of life.
According to Christian religious tradition, we can infer that having a house was a luxury. This is different from the modern-day outlook where having a house or having shelter is a basic necessity for existing.
It is always a good idea to only spend when it is necessary and ignore the unnecessary expenditures that may pop up. It is important to pay your bills before going out to buy a cool gadget or a cute pair of shoes.
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Remember to Save
The Bible stresses the significance of saving as a way of life. Proverbs 21: 20 firmly states, “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” It is not hard to understand how the saying is stressing the need for one to remember to save extra money instead of using it all up.
Sometimes though, the going gets tough. It takes every penny to help you weather unforeseen financial storms. According to Biblical teaching, it is wise to leave behind enough to guarantee stability in the lives of future generations. This means to save, save, save.
Some people might ask the question, “What about spending some money on yourself other than the bare necessities?” The Bible doesn’t preach against such spending provided that you remember to save a portion of your wealth before you indulge yourself.
Give to Charity
Giving is high on the list of things to do with your money according to the Bible. You may be wondering how it is possible to manage the expenses of our world, while also giving a percentage of your wealth to charity.
Regarding giving, Proverbs 3:9-10, says to “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
These verses seem to clearly say that giving to charity can help multiply your wealth. So it’s almost like giving to charity is the same as giving to yourself. God seems to bless those who give.
Sometimes tough, the fruits you reap from the benefits of giving charity are more valuable than just plain cash. In other words, they have more personal or spiritual than physical value.
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Stay Away from Debt
One of the firmest Biblical sayings is to steer clear of debt. It is not hard to see that many times going into debt is nothing more than action driven by greed. In other words, we have a strong desire to own more stuff. Debt becomes the tool we use to get it.
Proverbs 22:7 reiterates the negative effects of debt. It describes debt and the borrowing of money to be a form of enslavement to the lender. Though debt is not considered a sin per se, it is not spoken of in positive terms either.
It is not hard to see why debt is frowned upon in Christian religious tradition. We can see the detrimental effect that debt has, especially on the mental and physical reality of people. People with debt are seen to be more likely to struggle with depressive and anxious symptoms, burdening them rather than allowing them to grow healthily and expand their horizons.
Invest with Variety
When it comes to dealing with money, the Bible does not sanction frivolous use. Rather it suggests that we use our resources to invest in different ventures.
Ecclesiastes 11: 2 says that one should take heed and “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” This is a basic money management principle known as diversification. In other words, spread your money around into different investments. If one investment fails, the others can support the value of your investments. You don’t lose everything because you had all your eggs (money) in one basket.
When life hits you with financial trouble, it will not inform you beforehand. It is up to you to determine how well prepared you are for negative events life events. Thus, just as important as it is to save, it is equally important to invest your capital.
Related Content: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Investing Money the Right Way
Conclusion
As you have seen, the Bible recommends believers to avoid being wasteful and frivolous with money. It speaks strongly against the dangers debt can bring. And we are urged to use our money more meaningfully by investing in things that truly matter.
Managing money doesn’t have to be that hard, especially if you have a good plan. And following these Biblical principles will set you up for some good success.
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