Faith & Finances

How does Christian faith fit into money management?

Maybe a better question is how can our Christian faith saturate our money management, rather than simply finding a place to be fit in?

God’s Ownership

Psalm 24:1 says, “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”. Everything is God’s, including our money. It falls under the category of ‘everything’, and it all belongs to Him. I believe the first step to saturating our money management with our faith is to release that ownership back to Him at an emotional and spiritual level, which is probably a moment by moment decision for most of us.

Our Stewardship

If God is the owner, then our role is that of a manager. Psalm 8:6 says, “you made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet”. I believe another word for ‘ruler’ is ‘manager’. God owns everything, and he puts us in charge of managing it. Our names are on bank and investment account statements because we are the managers, or ‘rulers’, of the money in those accounts, not the owner. God has given this money to us to manage…for Him!

As Christians, when we talk about money we often use the word ‘stewardship’. My personal definition of stewardship is, “the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given desires, goals, and objectives”.  In other words, it's the use of 'His stuff for His purposes!'

What are the goals and objectives God has for your life? Jeremiah 29:11 begins by saying, “for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord…” What are the plans God has for your life specifically, and are you using your finances for the fulfillment of those plans? If we are using the resources God has given us for the achievement our God-given goals and objectives, I believe we will write a truly meaningful story with our lives.

Philippians 2:13 (ISV) says, “For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him”. God is producing desires within each of us. Imagine how enjoyable and meaningful would life be if we were intentional about applying those desires to each and every area of financial stewardship!

Four Elements of Stewardship

God has given us managerial control over each of these areas. If we are to saturate the stewardship of our finances with our Christian faith, our faith convictions need to direct our decisions and actions in each of these four areas.

A Life of Meaning

The question of stewardship is not necessarily about whether we have a good income, are saving in bunches, paying off debt, or giving away significant amounts of money. While each of these can play a critical role, I believe they are more a result of an intentional surrender of our lives to the specific desires God is producing within us. I believe the real question is whether you have identified the desires God is producing in you, and are you willing to pursue those desires at all cost? Are you willing to use Biblical principles of money management for the pursuit of the desires God is producing in you? Would life then be more like a ‘great adventure’, a life well lived, and ultimately a life of great meaning?