The bible addresses most of the major issues of life including money and finances. You have heard and perhaps even repeated the saying, “Money is what makes the world go ‘round.” “Follow the money” is Watergate’s most memorable and mythical phrase. Both sayings reflect the importance money has in our lives.
Important money principles are:
1. Treat money like God owns it all. He does.
2. Tithe.
3. Money is never an end of itself, but is merely a resource used to accomplish other goals and obligations.
4. Spend less than what you earn and do it for a long time, and you will be financially successful.
Three main money mistakes:
1. Debt
2. Not saving.
3. Not having a plan.
As a nation, we are not doing well with our national finances, thus the fiscal cliff and sequester.
Craig Ford is a missional entrepreneur and former missionary to Papua New Guinea. Ford has an article on his blog about savings at www.moneyhelpforchristians.com.
Here is an excerpt from his blog article on saving.
" In the Bible there are passages that seem to indicate that saving money is a good thing, while there are others that apparently frown on the concept of saving money.
Bible Passages that Seem to Indicate Saving Money Is Wrong
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (Luke 12:24, NIV)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)
Or Consider the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21.
Bible Verses that Support the Concept of Saving Money
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs 13:11 NIV)
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” (Proverbs 21:20, NIV)
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22 NIV)
Should Christians Save Money Or Not? The question is not to save or not to save. Nor is it to give or not to give.
Both giving and saving should be practiced at the same time.
Those who save and do not give exemplify attributes of a hoarder. Saving in excess is a sign of greed, lack of trust, and a love of money.
Finding the Right Saving Balance We will all find ourselves somewhere on the spectrum below:
_______________________________________________________________________
Squander Save Hoard
Each of the above choices (squander, save, or hoard) reveal something about our character:
One who squanders lacks self-control.
One who saves has self-control.
One who hoards has greed.
Which of these qualities are spiritual? (Gal. 5:16-26).
Each Christian must prayerfully find the right saving balance. Squandering our money does not honor God. Hoarding our money dishonors God. We must find the right – God pleasing – balance of saving."
I appreciate Craig Ford's insights on Biblical principles regarding money and finances.
Important money principles are:
1. Treat money like God owns it all. He does.
2. Tithe.
3. Money is never an end of itself, but is merely a resource used to accomplish other goals and obligations.
4. Spend less than what you earn and do it for a long time, and you will be financially successful.
Three main money mistakes:
1. Debt
2. Not saving.
3. Not having a plan.
As a nation, we are not doing well with our national finances, thus the fiscal cliff and sequester.
Craig Ford is a missional entrepreneur and former missionary to Papua New Guinea. Ford has an article on his blog about savings at www.moneyhelpforchristians.com.
Here is an excerpt from his blog article on saving.
" In the Bible there are passages that seem to indicate that saving money is a good thing, while there are others that apparently frown on the concept of saving money.
Bible Passages that Seem to Indicate Saving Money Is Wrong
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (Luke 12:24, NIV)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)
Or Consider the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21.
Bible Verses that Support the Concept of Saving Money
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. (Proverbs 13:11 NIV)
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” (Proverbs 21:20, NIV)
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22 NIV)
Should Christians Save Money Or Not? The question is not to save or not to save. Nor is it to give or not to give.
Both giving and saving should be practiced at the same time.
Those who save and do not give exemplify attributes of a hoarder. Saving in excess is a sign of greed, lack of trust, and a love of money.
Finding the Right Saving Balance We will all find ourselves somewhere on the spectrum below:
_______________________________________________________________________
Squander Save Hoard
Each of the above choices (squander, save, or hoard) reveal something about our character:
One who squanders lacks self-control.
One who saves has self-control.
One who hoards has greed.
Which of these qualities are spiritual? (Gal. 5:16-26).
Each Christian must prayerfully find the right saving balance. Squandering our money does not honor God. Hoarding our money dishonors God. We must find the right – God pleasing – balance of saving."
I appreciate Craig Ford's insights on Biblical principles regarding money and finances.
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