Christian's and Money: Biblical Principals
Whenever I think back to the times when I made far more than I do now as a small church pastor, I could kick myself for how I handled my money. I was deep in debt, always broke and living paycheck to paycheck, and never really had anything to show for the money I made. I had no savings and was always in "need." I was terrible at handling my finances. It wasn't until I started my own business that I began understanding how to manage money. Of course, I still did not do well until after I had become a Christian, and my "needs," "wants," and responsibilities were more clearly defined.
It wasn't until years later, when my wife Terri and I had five of our six kids still living at home that I passed on pastoring the Baptist church of my choice from three in need in neighboring cities, as well as turned down a six-figure IT job in Colorado, that I came to realize there are more important things than having money. Why did I turn these down? Because I knew God's calling on me was in Tawas City, Michigan, not Colorado or some other city. Didn't I need the money? YES! It was during the 2008-09 depression when the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped almost as low as the 1937-38 level. But I wanted to be obedient more than I wanted money, and I chose to stay where I was called.
It was not easy—in fact, it was tough—but I trusted in God's plan for me and my family.
Matthew 6:7-8
"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
I was seeking guidance from the Lord, big time, and wanted to ensure I was doing the right thing. I knew God would supply our needs, but unlike the younger version of myself, my "needs" were more clearly defined. Wants are OK, and they only become sinful if you put them before responsibility or if they become excessive. There are a few things that put everything into perspective for me. Firstly, the order of importance.
GOD
Family
Spouce
Kids
Church (this is different than God)
Work / Money
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This is the order I try to live by. I won't go into detail about why because that would be an entire article. But the short explanation from scripture is;
Matthew 22:37-38
"And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. "
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
1 Timothy 5:8
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
So putting God first and taking care of my family was essential, and after many years of having plenty and going without, I realized money is NOT the answer to everything! That can sometimes be the mantra of our society and the "go to" solution for any problem. Just throw money at it until it goes away. However, money is not the answer and sometimes is actually the problem. Have you ever wondered why God blesses some in the bible with financial security, while the Lord tells others, like the young rich ruler in Matthew 19:16-26 to sell everything and give it to the poor if he wants to follow Jesus? Because we are not all built for wealth, and it may, as in the case of the young rich ruler, get in the way of our relationship with the Lord. Which is more important?
I won't speak about the false teachings of "prosperity preaching," or the dozens or so other false doctrines that were born in the 1950s and used to bleed dry millions of misled faithful Christians into the poorhouse. But know this: it was not taught by Jesus, the Apostles, or any of the first-century fathers of Christianity, not even by any of the Lutheran reformers. Don't believe "new" doctrines created through cherry-picked misapplied scriptures to prove their pocket-filling belief.
We are told to financially support our local church and pastor (1 Corinthians 9:14), but we are responsible for what God has given us and what we do with it. God did NOT provide you with money to give some TV evangelist so he can buy another mansion or a multi-million dollar jet.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH
We want to give God what is rightfully His. We are told to tithe. The first fruits of our labor go to the storehouse (local church). Giving with a cheerful heart is an act of worship. (Acts 20:25) If the pastor of the church you attend lives in a mansion, has a plane, drives expensive cars, or has suits and watches you cannot afford, and it was paid for with your tithe to God, you are in the wrong church.
So, the question I had to answer was, what does God want me to do with my money? What is the responsible thing to do as a Christian?
UNDERSTAND GOD CARES ABOUT YOUR FINANCES
There are a few thousand verses in Scripture that deal with money and possessions. God knows it is sometimes difficult to handle them.
WE NEED AN ETERNAL VIEW OF THINGS AND POSSESSIONS
Everything on earth will one day be burned to nothing. Only the Word and our everlasting souls will remain. Therefore, it only makes sense that we build our treasures in heaven, mindful of all that will remain: the Word and souls of the lost! Are you using what you have to provide for your family, support your local church, and build the Kingdom of God in a way that saves souls?
So, I knew I had to take care of my family and use what I had to build the Kingdom. By this time in my life, I had a lot of debt, a failed business, and a small church pastor's salary that could not pay much or regularly. I needed a game plan and study of the word to know the proper use of money and possessions.
To care for my own family so as not to be a burden to anyone else
1 Timothy 5:8
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
1 Thessalonians 3:6-15
To help those in need, especially the local church
Proverbs 19:17
Romans 15:25-27
Galatians 6:7-10
To encourage and support the work of the gospel at home and around the world
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
Philippians 4:14-19
1 Timothy 5:17-18
Once I understood this, I knew I needed a GOOD BUDGET! I learned everything I needed about finances and good budgets after my wife and I purchased an antique mall to supplement my lack of pastor pay. I ran that operation on a shoestring budget, and it provided a good income for the next seven years. I eventually sold it because it was taking too much of my time from ministry, and I just began serving on the Ministerial Association for our county. I also wanted to finish writing my next book, Drowning in Milk: A Guide to Spiritual Maturity, which is very difficult when you are a pastor and a business owner.
Luke 16:10-13
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much, and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? 12 And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Knowing where your money is being spent (down to the penny) will help you develop a budget that will keep you within your means, pay off debt, pay bills, and keep you above water. Terri and I didn't take long to eliminate our debt, understand credit and the proper way to use it, and clearly define our needs and wants. I make less now than I did at many other times in my life, but I have no debt, small savings, and perfect credit. Not because I make lots of money but because I have become responsible for what I have.
Develop a budget, and stick to it! They work!
Eliminating bad debt (and not creating more) is essential! Credit cards are not sinful, and I still use them. I have all my utilities paid automatically monthly (paperless and auto pay usually give you discounts!) and then pay off that card each month, so no interest is ever due! Bonus: It's a card with points, so I get cash back just for using it—free money. It's best to pay cash for things other than bills so you can track precisely how much you have to spend. Giving yourself an allowance in cash you can see at any time whether or not you can afford something. Don't fall for the buy now, pay later! It is an expensive trap.
Being in the word will help you understand the differences between wants and needs.
SAVINGS IS IMPORTANT
It may take time to build up decent savings, especially if you are like me and don't have much coming in. Take the time to budget savings. It is vital. Be a "saver" rather than a spender. "The thoughts of the diligent lead surely to profit, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty." Proverbs 21:5. There are many ways to save. Check with your local bank to see what brings the most interest. It's also essential to be able to get your money when you need it as well. Some savings lock your money into an account for years. Be careful.
Even if you can only put $10 away each week, that is still over $500 a year!
Christians are called to be good stewards. The world cries bigger, better, faster, more expensive. These are all signs of "financial success." Is that what we are called to? God defines financial success as no matter how little or how much you have, you are a good steward of it. You managed it well, did not waste it, and used it with integrity. You paid your bills on time and worked to pay off debt.
As the amount you owe drops and you never miss a payment, your credit score will climb. But remember, credit rating is for incurring debt, which you do not want to do. However, a good credit score lowers interest rates and gives you cheaper insurance.
I learned to be content. "Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in abundance; in any and all things I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13
Six of the seven times contentment is mentioned in the Bible relates to money and possessions. Contentment will help you resist impulse purchases or confuse a want for a need.
UNDERSTAND GOD'S PROSPERITY
If prosperity in the bible were always financial and material, Jesus would not have told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give the money to the poor. We must remember that money is a tool like any other and can be used for good or evil. If we remember the basics: God first, family, local church, and world missions, we will build our treasures in heaven!
