Hello World! In many Christian households, the teachings of God’s word dictate almost everything that goes on. From giving a prayer of thanksgiving before eating to inviting friends from church over to study the bible, there are numerous ways Christians can make their faith evident through the ways they live.
It’s especially important to do that in matters of finance. Fortunately, taking positive action while being guided by biblical teachings is easier than you may think.
Be Mindful of Your Purchases
The sixth chapter of Matthew includes a verse where Christians are encouraged to “store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,” rather than on Earth. That doesn’t mean living a life where you get by on the bare minimum, but rather to avoid hoarding things, or only making certain purchases to try and make others perceive you more favorably than your neighbors.
Don’t Get Pompous About Wealth
Although it’s easy to find collections of biblically based money management tips, one thing they almost always have in common is a lack of tips that suggest your actions alone are what create wealth. In Deuteronomy, a verse in the eighth chapter cautions people of the Christian faith to remember that their abilities to produce wealth come from the Lord.
With that in mind, when your financial situation is favorable, resist the urge to immediately give yourself a pat on the back. Although there’s no harm in being aware of all the things you and your fellow household residents have done to build wealth, never forget that according to what’s written in the Bible, it was God who ultimately made the conditions right for a bright financial outlook.
Buy Insurance
The Bible doesn’t specifically teach whether Christians need insurance, which has led to confusion for some believers. However, there are biblical teachings that align with a person’s decision to become insured.
In the book of Exodus within chapter 21, there is a narrative that discusses how people who have been victims of wrongdoing should be compensated. For example, by meeting with a representative from a Dallas insurance agency in your community, you can take out an auto insurance plan that compensates you after an incident involving a collision with a drunk driver.
Have a Balanced Perspective About Saving
You’ll find many tips from the Bible about money management. However, some of them are not as precise as you might prefer. For example, although the Bible talks about saving, it does not mention precisely how much money to put away for future needs.
In the case of saving, it’s necessary to take a balanced approach. To start, figure out how much money you need to live on each month. Your expenses may include giving a tithe to the church, paying the rent or mortgage, and covering childcare needs. Once you have figured out how much you need to spend, periodically put a percentage or dollar amount in savings.
Hopefully you now feel equipped to take a biblical approach to handling your money. With a dedicated mindset, you’ll soon be able to rest assured that God’s teachings dictate personal finance management, like other aspects of your Christian lifestyle.
Have a lovely day and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
Hi! Thanks for your post about applying principles from the Bible to the financial aspects of life we all face in today's world. The timeless teachings in the Bible combine common sense, prudence and hard work, balanced with a zest and joy for life in days of rest, festivals and celebrations, and emphasize generosity to our family members, friends, and to others, especially to the "widows and orphans" — people who are in disadvantaged circumstances. Heads of households are encouraged and directed to take care of their families and their households, and that includes having suitable financial provisions in place in case disaster should strike, be it an accident, a natural catastrophe, or death. Good old fashioned common sense, charity and compassion sometimes seem to be in scarce supply these days, but a smile and a few kind words, which surely all of us can spare, cost us nothing.