How Christians Should View Money & Finances (4 Principles)
Most people would describe themselves as generous, but very few actually are. The United States is consistently ranked as one of the more generous nations in the world, yet we only give away about 3.7% of our annual income.
Our lack of generosity is not healthy. Multiple studies have linked generosity with happiness, and even greater amounts of data suggest that hoarding our resources leads to lower levels of happiness.
Perhaps this is why Jesus talked about money more than any other issue in the New Testament. He teaches on it more than prayer and faith combined. I think He knew something about money and our desire for more, how the love of money can creep in and destroy our lives.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9–10
If we want to walk in true joy and freedom, the path forward is generosity. We can escape the materialistic traps of society by being generous givers. But what does this look like?
I think anyone can be generous for a moment. You see the red bucket at Christmas, and give a small donation. You help a friend out when they are in trouble. These things are great, but they are just the beginning. To walk in sustainable generosity for the long haul, you have to shift your mindset. You need to believe certain truths about God and life to fully walk in a life of abundant generosity.
Here are the 4 principles of generosity:
1. God owns everything.
Generosity starts with the simple understanding that everything you have was given to you by God. It’s all His. He owns it all. There is nothing that you have that wasn’t given to you by God. Even your paycheck was made possible by the legs that God gave you, and the mind that He created. We literally have nothing other than what was given to us by the grace of God.
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1
This changes the narrative. We do not give to God. God already owns it. It’s his money! We are merely stewards of God’s resources. So then, we use our resources as He wants and how He directs us. We need to shift our mindset: it’s not MY money, it’s God’s money and I’m a steward. It’s not MY house, it’s God’s house and I’m a steward.
2. God will provide.
Do you trust God to provide? If not, you will be tempted to hoard. Yet Scripture encourages us throughout that God is an abundant provider! You don’t have to question His character: He will provide!
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25–33
Worry and anxiety are crushed out of our souls by the goodness of the Father. This was one of the main teachings of Jesus and it allows His followers to live by faith in God’s goodness and provision.
After reading dozens of missionary biographies, I’m always stunned by the miraculous provision of God. Whether William Carey, George Mueller or Hudson Taylor, when the people of God walk in faith, the Lord always provides. Like I used to tell my college ministry: “If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill!”
3. It’s a blessing to give.
We often think of the gift receiver as the one who is blessed, but the blessing is in the giving! So many of us focus on what we can GET out of life, and how much we can accumulate, but that’s not what life is about. We want to be givers, not takers. From our small interactions to big life decisions, are we choosing to give to others or take? There are multiple studies out now that link being a giver to both success and happiness, it’s just a better way to live!
For the past 10 years, my grandfather has given out checks at Christmas to our family for the sole purpose of giving to those in need. Don’t keep it, don’t donate to charity, find a personal need and give. This practice has been incredible training on how to live a life of generosity. From medical bills, to car trouble, to rent issues, I’ve been able to help countless people through these simple gifts. And it has truly shown me the joy of giving.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
This is what we are made for!
In fact, there was a study from University of Michigan. They took a sample of clinically depressed adults and separated them into two groups: one group focused on self-image, positive thinking about themselves and bettering themselves; the other group focused on helping others and making a positive impact in the lives of others. Here was the result…
“Analyses showed that a greater focus on self-image goals was linked with more relationship conflict and a worsening of symptoms during the 6-week study period. In contrast, goals focused on helping others were associated with lower levels of symptoms and less relationship conflict.”
Wow! So if you are feeling low, help someone else out. Get beyond yourself, and look to the needs of others. Give!
“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.” Luke 6:38
4. True wealth is eternal.
This life is not all there is, we have a future hope. Sustainable generosity comes when you see your money and possessions in light of eternity. All Christians believe in heaven, but most think and act as if there were no eternity. Are you living for today? Or living for eternity?
Jesus was huge on this topic! He countered the popular action of selfishly storing up treasure on earth with the radical idea of generosity and storing up treasure in heaven.
“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 neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19–21
Notice that Jesus doesn’t advise against accumulating earthly wealth because it’s morally wrong, but rather because it’s stupid. It’s not a good investment because it’s not going to last! It’s temporary and insecure. Instead, Jesus advises us to store up treasure for eternity. We ask the question: What will last for millions of years? Not just decades? The answer is love and generosity.
Now, I’m not against saving money. Wisdom and prudence are important. Ultimately, God is after your heart. Are you clinging to money and possessions as your source of significance? Or do you live to love Jesus and serve others with what God has given you?
We are called to live free. And that comes through living a life of generous giving!
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
