Managing Money As a Christian
Talking about money used to scare me.
I grew up in a middle-class home, and even though we didn’t live extravagantly, we were never hurting financially either (at least not that I knew). My parents took care of the finances, but they never sat me down and taught me how to actually manage money.
So, when I got my first debit card in high school, I felt more panic than freedom. I was worried that I would be irresponsible and make mistakes with money that would carry on into adulthood. Is there a right way to handle money? Are Christians supposed to handle it differently than the rest of the world? Is debt good or bad? When should I start investing? What exactly is a 401(k)? It was all too overwhelming.
I had no idea just how much the Bible talks about money until I started looking for it in Scripture. In fact, you can get a finance degree just from the book of Proverbs. I used to think that I wasn’t smart enough to handle money well, but now I realize that’s simply not true.
After college, God used a Financial Peace University class at my church to redeem and reshape my attitude toward money. He showed me that money didn’t have to be something to be afraid of. Money could actually be a tool to help me trust Him and bless others.
God must have a sense of humor because now I write for that same Christian-based finance company that changed my life. The enemy tried to keep me from trusting the Lord by making me fearful, but now I feel confident in my role as a steward of what God has given me.
Here are seven things I’ve learned when it comes to managing money as a Christian:
You don’t have to be a financial expert.
I’ve got a bad habit of saying “I’m not a math person” anytime I’m dealing with numbers. And yes, I may not have a natural inclination toward solving math problems, but that doesn’t mean I can’t figure it out. Saying I’m not good at something acts as my excuse to not try because I might fail at it.
Maybe money scares you. Maybe you’ve made mistakes with money in the past. But I invite you to rethink your attitude toward finances. It doesn’t have to be complicated. If you approach managing money with a curious mindset and ask God to guide you, you can learn how to make wise decisions financially. Trust me, if I can become someone who feels confident in managing my money, so can you.
Start wherever you are.
If you’re on a road trip and you need directions, you first have to know your location. Same goes for your finances. Many people refuse to really look at what’s happening with their money because they’re afraid of what they might find. But you can’t get where you want to go if you don’t know where you’re starting from.
So, make a list of all your debt, as well as how much you have in savings, your monthly expenses, and anything that has to do with your income or side hustle. Maybe you haven’t looked at your bank account in weeks or even months. But there’s no need to feel shame or guilt. We’ve all been there. Facing the reality of your financial situation can be hard, but it’s the only way to start taking control of it.
Figure out your “why.”
It’s one thing to want more money or to be “better with money,” but what does that really mean to you? Taking control of your money has more to do with behavior than actual financial knowledge. And before you can change your behavior, you need a strong and compelling reason.
So set some goals--ones that really mean something to you. What is God calling you to do? What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Do you simply want to feel secure in your finances? If you can’t think of any specific goals, spend some time in prayer about it. Then write these goals down. They will be what keep you motivated throughout your financial journey.
Control your money; don’t let your money control you.
Money isn’t necessarily good or evil, but it can definitely be used for both. And even though the Bible warns many times about the dangers of worshipping money (Matthew 19:24), that doesn’t mean that rich people are automatically bad either. I know kind rich people the same way I know kind poor people. And I also know greedy rich people, as well as greedy poor people. Money only makes you more of who you already are.
Money won’t solve all your problems. But mismanaging it can definitely cause them. That’s why the Bible is filled with wisdom about money. Much of this financial advice is straight from the mouth of Jesus, like in Luke 16:13 when He says, “You cannot serve both God and money.” The reality is that money is a part of our lives, so we need to be disciplined in how we deal with it, just like we are called to be disciplined in our relationships, our jobs, and our health. You need to have a plan when it comes to your finances because if you don’t take control of your money, it could easily take control of you.
You need a budget.
When it comes to taking control of your money, a budget is key. In Luke 14:28, Jesus says, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” We have to be intentional with our finances, and a budget is the most practical way to keep track of where your money is going.
I used to think a budget would keep me from enjoying my money. But now that I budget every month, I’ve found it actually gives me freedom to spend! I don’t have to worry about going over my limit because I have a game plan for my money every month (P.S. I use EveryDollar budgeting app). A budget gives you peace of mind, and you need one if you’re going to make progress toward your goals.
Debt isn’t your friend.
This one is definitely controversial, but hear me out. We live in a culture that has normalized debt like it’s a sale at Target. But debt isn’t something you have to take on. In fact, the Bible warns against debt. Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
To be clear, your debt doesn’t define you. Praise God that we are seen as righteous because Jesus paid our spiritual debts for us. But earthly debt puts people in bondage. It causes anxiety and guilt and so often keeps Christians from following what God has called them to do because they’re slaves to payments. Just like there are other parts of life that we as Christians are called to be set apart in, we have to be careful about conforming to the world’s ideas of money--and specifically how we view debt.
I can say from experience and from hearing others’ stories that you do not have to go into debt to live the life that God has called you to. Can God redeem your finances if you’re in debt? Absolutely. Every single day at my job, I get to see people pay off huge amounts of debt, and it’s a beautiful representation of what Christ did for us spiritually. But trust me, you should do everything you can to avoid debt and seek God’s guidance for each situation. Your future self will thank you.
Give generously.
One of the most important things to remember about money is that it’s ultimately not ours. Everything we have comes from the Lord, and we won’t get to take it with us after this life. Matthew 6:19 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Yes, we need to be wise and make sure we are secure financially so we can take care of ourselves and our family, but we have to keep a loose grip on the things of this world.
Tithing and giving are important practices for your financial health. Giving a portion of your income back to the church shows your trust in God and your willingness to be used by Him. Not to mention, giving can be so much fun! I can think of numerous times where God used generous people to speak to me. And I’ve had the privilege of watching him do the same for others when I give. As Christians, we are called to be outrageously generous with both our love and our possessions. But managing our money well is what enables us to give abundantly.
Every single one of us is called to be good managers of our finances. Luke 16:10 tells us that if we are faithful with little, God will entrust us with more. The Bible is not silent on the topic of money. God wants you to trust him with your finances just as much as any other part of your life. So search His word, ask for His wisdom, and let Him guide you as you learn how to steward what you’ve been given.
What is your current attitude towards money?
In what ways do you need to seek God’s wisdom for your financial situation?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to manage money from a Christian perspective, I encourage you to check out Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace, which is based on biblical principles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abbie is a native Mississippian who now calls Nashville, TN home. She works as a writer for Ramsey Solutions and enjoys reading, traveling, laughing, and playing with her corgi, Eudora, in her spare time. You can find more of her writing at abbiewalker.com.