“No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve both God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 KJV
You know how people say that money is the root of all evil? Well, money is not evil, but the love of money is. When you make money your god, it is easy to see how loving money can lead to all sorts of questionable behavior. Money makes life convenient and comfortable, but isn’t it interesting that it is also the one thing many Christians struggle with?
You would think that if we all did good and lived righteously, it’s a no-brainer that God would bless us with riches. Right? Among prayers for good health, God’s protection, and help with finding a suitable partner, prayers for personal finance are probably one of the most requested prayers. So, why do so many people struggle with money?
Now, before we continue, I should state that I am not a financial advisor. The information I provide below is based on personal experiences and lessons I’ve learned from the Bible. If you require financial advice, it is imperative to seek guidance from a certified financial advisor or reputable financial institution. My insights shared here are solely for educational purposes, and any actions taken based on them are at your discretion and risk.
The Blessed Life
In my opinion, The Blessed Life by Robert Morris is one of the best books that I’ve read that thoroughly addresses the topic of money for Christians. It’s an easy read with many practical tips on managing money, as well as how you can and should give back to the Kingdom of God first before taking care of anything else.
It’s such a down-to-earth approach that anyone can do it. I found it particularly interesting when he expounded on the topics of tithing and the spirit of mammon. Mammon is an Old Testament spirit and Aramaic word that translates to ‘riches.’ (The Blessed Life, p. 76)
At the heart of the lesson on mammon, it speaks to an individual’s attitude toward money. And according to Morris, it’s typically people under the influence of mammon that have the most fear about their money. So, why do you need to know what God says about money, and how can you apply these biblical lessons to your life?
The System of a Fallen World
Money wants to rule you. It gives you a false sense of security and tries to replace God. Only God can give you significance, identity, promotion, and freedom. The idolatrous love of money leads to greed, covetousness, and selfishness. (The Blessed Life, p. 78)
In other words, money accentuates one’s true character. Sadly, money has the power to alter one’s attitude and behavior.
Now that we understand that all money carries a spirit—the spirit of mammon (which leads to scarcity) or the Spirit of God (which leads to abundance), what are the money lessons from God that you can apply to your life immediately?
Honor God With Your Wealth
This speaks to the order in which we give. First, to the Kingdom of God, because God is the one who makes all things possible. Secondly, God can only bless what you give Him. This is why tithing is important.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9–10
I’m not saying to pay a tithe with the expectation of receiving something in return, but rather to glorify God because of all he has done for you.
Tithing is a gift of thankfulness. And like obedience, it’s how we express our love for God. No matter how much or how little you have, express your gratitude for all you have been blessed with.
Pay Your Debtors
It goes without saying that if you borrow money, you should pay it back. Not only does this reflect on your character, but if you value the relationship, you will pay back what you rightfully owe. Nobody wants to be a slave to their debt.
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;” Psalms 37:21
If you understand finances, there is good debt and bad debt. And for the large majority, debt is crippling, especially if you don’t know how to use it correctly. The Bible also tells us that the poor become slaves to the rich.
Handling money is a test. A test of your heart, to be exact. Why? Because by examining your heart, God will know where you’ve stored your treasures.
Prepare For Rainy Days By Setting Money Aside
You never know when you might need it. Savings can be used for a plethora of reasons, but mostly they are used to safeguard you from incurring unnecessary or unwanted debt.
It’s good to have money in reserve in case you face financial trials such as loss of a job, doctor’s bills, accidents that may lead to damage to property, theft, etc.
Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. Proverbs 30:24–25
Learn to Invest
Speaking about the risk of unplanned events outside of your control, even though you’ve saved, in emergencies, savings can disappear pretty fast.
This is why the Bible teaches us to diversify. Once you’ve cleared your debt and you’ve stashed some cash aside, the next step would be to make your money work for you.
At the very least, if something happens that depletes your savings on one side, you will have investments elsewhere that will aid your recovery during periods of hardship.
Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth. Ecclesiastes 11:2 NET
Learn To Live Within Your Means
This one might hurt some people, but I believe that God loves to reward us for our diligence. Wouldn’t you agree? God will not give us something He did not prepare us for.
It is our responsibility to manage what we are blessed with. I believe that God will reward us not only in heaven but also here on earth. After all, this is what it means to be a good steward.
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much;” Luke 16:10
I’m not saying squander your wealth, but rather budget assiduously and be accountable. How we relate to money starts in early childhood development. If you grew up in a home where you were always told, ‘We can’t afford that’ or ‘Money just burns in my hands’, then there is a high possibility that you will have an unhealthy relationship with money.
Know that with a little effort and faith, you can change that mindset. Above all, know that ‘we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.’ Romans 8:37 NIV. Allow God to renew your mind and transform your life.
Small adjustments like budgeting, paying down debt with the highest interest first, or undergoing a debt review to help ease the process might be painful in the present but will ultimately benefit you in the end.
Final thoughts? I think God cares very much about how we steward what we have, not just our finances. I’ve had moments where I’ve panicked, but in those moments, I try to keep a level head and remember that God is our provider, and I know that He will meet my needs. And if He can meet my needs, He will certainly meet yours.
Feel free to share your thoughts below about how you have handled your financial situation and if you found these money tips helpful.