A real-life approach to money as Christians
Do you ever feel like your family’s finances are a constant tightrope walk, riddled with worry and uncertainty? Perhaps you’ve tried all the budgeting tips and financial strategies, yet true peace feels just out of reach. For many Christian families, the struggle to align their faith with their economic reality can be deeply unsettling. We often hear about the importance of Biblical financial principles, but how do we practically apply them to our everyday bills, savings, and future planning?
In this article, I’ll share three powerful and practical ways my family has learned to navigate the complexities of money, guided by our faith. Our journey has shown us that when we invite God into our financial decisions, we truly see God magnified, for He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants (Psalm 35:27).
These aren’t just theories; they’re actionable insights to help transform your approach to Christian finance and faith-based money management.
1 – Planting Seeds of Blessing: Tithes, Offerings & Generosity
At the heart of Biblical stewardship is the principle of tithing and giving. For our family, this isn’t about obligation; it’s a joyful act of faith and profound gratitude. We see it as acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from God, and returning a portion to Him is our way of showing thanks and trusting in His provision. It’s about recognising His ownership and our role as managers of His resources. As Deuteronomy 28:1-12 reminds us, obedience in this area brings blessings, and Malachi 3:10 illustrates God’s abundant provision when we honour Him first. This act of financial generosity opens our hands and hearts, shifting our perspective from scarcity to abundance.
With regards to the 10% of our income going as tithes, many people struggle to understand that this is not our share, but God’s. It is actually quite simple: think about the other 90%, which is now all yours, 100%. With your 100% ready, you can plan how to use it. We could never buy blessings from God. Instead, he openly and abundantly blesses us.
Practically, we’ve made tithing and giving a consistent rhythm in our lives. From the very beginning of our financial planning each month, a designated portion is set aside first. Sometimes this looks like an automatic transfer to our church, making it a seamless part of our budget. We are also teaching our children to do the same, giving them their own money to set aside. This teaches them the joy of giving and the importance of supporting God’s work.
The impact on our family has been remarkable. Instead of feeling a pinch, we’ve experienced a deep sense of peace and often, unexpected blessings. It’s truly a testament to God’s faithfulness when we honour Him with our first fruits, reducing financial worry and fostering a spirit of generosity within our home.
2 – Finding Riches in Simplicity: Contentment & Avoiding Debt
I know. Debt can play a significant role in our monthly budget, especially when it is absolutely unavoidable.
In a world constantly pushing us to buy more and have more, practising Christian contentment has been a game-changer for our family’s finances. This means consciously choosing satisfaction with what we have rather than constantly chasing what we don’t. It’s a powerful antidote to materialism and consumer debt, which often promises happiness but delivers stress. We believe that true Biblical money wisdom lies in understanding that our worth isn’t tied to our possessions and that debt-free living offers immense freedom.
To cultivate contentment and manage debt, we’ve adopted specific habits. While we’re still on our journey to complete debt-free living, we are diligently following a progressive plan that is steadily moving us out of it, and these habits are key. We practice conscious spending, often asking ourselves if a purchase is a true need or merely a fleeting want. This might mean delaying gratification on bigger items or opting for second-hand where appropriate. We’re committed to living within our means, ensuring our outgoings never exceed our income.
When debt has been necessary (like a mortgage or repaying a loan), we approach it with a clear repayment plan, actively working to minimise interest and duration. This discipline has brought incredible financial peace into our home. The relief from consumer debt has freed up resources and mental energy, allowing us to focus on what truly matters: our relationships, our faith, and serving others, rather than being enslaved by payments.
3 – Building on a Firm Foundation: Trust & Planning for the Future
While faith calls us to trust God with money, it doesn’t mean we sit and wait. Instead, it’s a beautiful balance between divine reliance and diligent human responsibility. The Bible says that God blesses the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17), so do your part! Christian financial planning is about prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom while prudently preparing for the future, knowing that He has a good plan for us. This blend ensures we’re both faithful stewards and wise managers of the resources He provides.
Our family approaches financial planning with faith as the cornerstone. Each month, we prayerfully set our budget, considering not just our expenses but also our giving and savings goals. We prioritise building an emergency fund, recognising that unforeseen circumstances are a part of life and having a safety net demonstrates both wisdom and trust that God provides through our preparation (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6).
We aim to save for specific future goals, whether it’s our children’s education, a down payment on a home, or a mission trip. We also actively teach our children about money – not just earning and spending, but saving and giving, fostering a sense of responsibility and foresight from a young age. This blend of proactive planning and reliance on God’s provision provides immense security and purpose. We sleep better knowing we’ve done our part responsibly, while simultaneously resting in the assurance that God is ultimately in control of our future financial security and He alone is our provider.
Take the Next Step in Your Faith-Guided Financial Journey
Applying faith to your family’s finances isn’t just about managing money; it’s about cultivating peace, building resilience, and honouring God in every aspect of your life. As you’ve seen, integrating Biblical financial principles like generous giving, practising contentment, and wise planning can truly transform your household’s financial health and spiritual well-being (and again, you will have peace of mind). You have the power to embark on this journey and experience the blessings that come from trusting God with your resources.
If you’re ready to put these faith-based insights into action, our Time To Go Shop has practical Christian financial tools to help you get started.
By acquiring products from our shop, you’re also supporting our ministry. We offer resources designed for families like yours, including our comprehensive Google Sheet budget planner. This powerful, user-friendly tool makes managing your money simple and helps align your finances with your values.
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