How should Christians deal with their finances?

As Christians, one thing that should be peculiar to us is intelligence, and that is in every aspect of our lives. If there is any aspect in which we lack wisdom, it is best that we ask our father (James 1:5). For example, financial intelligence is something that all Christians must strive to have.

Our finances as Christians are something we have to make a conscious effort to manage very well. As Christians, we are to save for rainy days, we are to spend in order of priority etc. And most importantly, our tithes, seeds, and other money invested in kingdom work should also be taken into consideration when managing our finances.

It is easy for us to be nonchalant about our finances. And why is that? It is because our God is our source of wealth, and because we have the right to go to the Father anytime to ask him for whatever we want, it is possible we might be tempted to misuse that opportunity.

How then should a Christian manage his or her funds?

Draw up a budget for the month: Drawing up a budget for the month before your salary or your monthly earnings come in will come in very handy. Planning is a key aspect of every area of our lives. When you plan for things, they won’t surprise you. The reason you are drawing up your budget is to allocate a specific amount to things you are going to need. 

Sometimes, it may not be easy to do this because maybe what you earn is a small amount, but that’s another reason you should prioritize in this order: tithe, savings, other important things, and miscellaneous. Unforeseen circumstances can occur, but when you have something prepared in your miscellaneous, you won’t be caught off guard. Even if the money you set aside isn’t enough, you will be able to manage with the little preparation you made.

First and foremost, your spending for the month should include your tithe, and then you apportion funds in order of priority. After doing this, a portion should be kept for savings and another for miscellaneous spending. 

Accountability (putting necessary measures): I think drawing up a budget is one of the simplest steps to take in managing one's funds. It is one thing to draw up a budget, but it is another to actually follow through with it. You have to be intentional about following your budget; you need to put measures in place that make accountability easy for you. For some, it may be an automatic withdrawal from their accounts to their savings account; for others, it may be a monthly contribution from trusted people. Just do whatever it takes to make sure you follow through with your plan/budget.

Be careful with debts: Debts are very tricky. If needed urgently, one can take it, but constantly relying on it for things that are not major may mess up one's finances. The interest factor when collecting loans or borrowing is enough to tell you not to depend on it. 

Increase your streams of income: Seeing that human needs are insatiable. It is only right to have different streams of income to cater to your needs. To do this, you can seek help from people who have multiple streams of income or turn your hobby into a side hustle. If you like knitting, start a crochet outfit business. If you love drawing, start drawing and selling your artwork, but before you dabble in it, seek counsel. There are people that would have more experience that you, so reach out to them and seek guidance 

In Proverbs 22:7, the scripture says that the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. This scripture tells us the repercussions of borrowing, until the debt is settled, the borrower is at the mercy of the lender. If the need is not urgent or important, debts should not be taken.

Giving is also an act that increases one’s wealth: As Christians, we are to master the act of giving. It is a sure way to experience an increase in your finances. In Luke 6:38, the bible says, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. 

Conclusion:

Christians should put conscious effort into managing their funds. The following should be considered when managing funds: 

• Create a budget

• Be Deliberate 

• Put measures that makes it easy e.g automated savings

• Don’t rely on one stream of income 

• Spend less than you earn by curbing impulse buying and other acts. (Let this be your motto: If you can do without it, don’t buy it)

• If it is not an urgent need, don’t borrow for it

• Pray over your finances.

As Christians, we should also try to make positive and biblical confessions about our finances. These are some scriptures that can be used:

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."     

Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”

Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Deuteronomy 28:6: “You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”

Make sure you understand that before you can enjoy the benefits attached to these scriptures, you have to be a child of the living God. And your purpose for having wealth must be pure. 

You also put in mind that giving seeds and contributing to the work of the kingdom also multiplies your wealth as far as you are not doing it for show

We should always exercise the act of giving because that act has its rewards.

If there are other measures you know about, you should also use them. Managing your finances is not limited to these options.