What does the Bible say about money management?
Money management: what does God say?
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I’m going to tread very lightly in this as we chat through money management and what was Biblical. I say that because i still am learning and although i’d doing some digging in and researching, if there’s something more that i’m missing- please feel free to reach out so we can have a real and honest conversation about God and money. and there will be multiple episodes of this topic as i learn and hopefully hear feedback from you! I’m not here as a a master of theory or highest form of knowledge, i’m simply wanting to have conversations, grow, and learn along side of you on this sensitive subject and to hopefully encourage us all to be better with our money and WANT to learn about it and not see it as an evil object but simply as a way to exchange, something to have good stewardship in, and give back as we’re called to do. I know a lot of women specially in marriages where they know nothing about their money- and have the mindset of men taking care of it- not saying the men can’t- i’m saying you should know all about money too, you could be helping our your family!
Let’s start with this verse- every good and. perfect gift is from above. James 1:7 Let’s have that as a arching verse for today’s chat, because as anything is given to us and today i’m specially talking about God but if you want to say the universe or higher being in general that’s fine- just know i will be quoting scripture today.
Money is a good gift and a terrible master. it’s. a quote i saw recently and had to re-share. It’s so true, if we allow it to be a gift, we work for but give back, invest wisely, and learn about it so we can control growth in it rather than it control us, it can be a beautiful gift but like that quote says a terrible master.
So if Everything is from above everything. we do With those gifts is stewardship and if we grow them. and utilize them- that’s. how. they’re meant to be used so throwing a gift away or spending it all i wouldn’t say is a good steward of a gift. But allowing it to grow and utilize it, IS. And any other gift receive, we want to use it to its potential, not sweep it under the rug and pretend like it. doesn’t exist and not LEARN about how to use it.
Before i move on, i’m going to say Christians are REAL weird about money. Not all, of course but i’ve come across some very odd conversations because of it. They don’t want to talk about it openly, afraid of acting like they want to learn more about how to be wise with it, afraid of looking greedy, not willing to learn more or allow themselves to want more and it’s hush hush and uncomfortable when people talk about specific numbers, not always but a lot of times i think it comes from this quote we hear often that is… Money is the root of all evil. Therefore we shouldn’t want it, desire more, and talk about it too much in case it really is the root of evil. BUT we need to quote the verse more clearly.. 1 Timothy 6:10, KJV: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." ... And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” It doesn’t say money IS the root it says that the LOVE of money is the the root of evil. Very different meanings. which already is a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief should happen, money isn’t evil- it’s simply that exchange Money in itself is not inherently good or bad. It's an object. A means of exchange. It can't be anything other than what it is.
But it can mean something different to you, if you let it. It can be elevated into something it's not, if you let it. It can become success, security, joy, self-worth, love...if you let it.
it also says SOME people erred in Fatih. So just take a little breath over there. It’s like any other idol we are called not to have, money shouldn’t be an idol, it doesn’t mean we can’t use it wisely and be smart with the gift we’ve been given.
Before we talk about the 5 things on how to be wise with money, can we talk about how the new software i got is helping me be wise with my clients and bookings? Honeybook has already been such a great tool for me, from contracts and all in one project management system, to invoicing, adding right to the calendar that even my assistant can see, and getting paid more quickly with this tool. It has allowed me to be more intentional and getting to my clients with a more clear proposal for our session. Not just for photographers, this is a great software for any person with a business who wants to have everything in one place, more professionally, and easier to mange.Now i can offer 50% your first year on honey book by going to the show notes and clicking the referral link! head to davistaphotography.com/shinepodcast to get yours today!
How do we then USE money wisely? (here’s. 5 way to use it wisely)
1- Tithing. Again this is a biblical reference that means 10% and giving back to God the gift he has given you. However, if you aren’t part of a church and don’t believe in God- i know plenty of people who still believe in giving back to charities and organizations- because it’s on their heart and they see how it positively impacts others as they’ve been given much and not that you do good to receive good- but it often brings blessings back. So pick an organization- when i’m not in a regular church- i have dog shelters for instance that i give to- that i believe in, have worked in, and love.
however we are called to TITHE, not just think about tithing.
So tithing is one way we can be wise with money, we’re called to give this back, and even though it’s counterintuitive, you can ask most people about giving back- and how ironically (or not so ironically) they’re then blessed ten-fold. Tithing is saying to God- i Honor you, and what you’ve given me is already yours.
Proverbs 19:17– “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.”
Proverbs 11:24-25– “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
We’re called because it’s a gift that’s already His and calls us to be disciplined with that gift. So if you haven’t been tithing, i really do have a hope that you’ll pray or mediate on that and start to give. It’s so hard to explain but i’ve seen first hand people who give big, get big. It’s part of giving with a cheerful heart and being disciplined.
2- Getting out of debt
The bible actually has a LOT to say about debt, so if i haven’t yelled at you in person enough about saving or paying off debts, let this be another reminder.
Proverbs 22:7, we are reminded that “the borrower is slave to the lender.” 1 Corinthians 7:3 warns us against becoming “slaves of human masters.”
The borrower is slave to the lender. When you are in debt to another, you enter into a slave/master relationship with your creditor. (Proverbs 22:7)
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Romans 13:7
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;” Psalm 37:21
“It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” Ecclesiastes 5:4
it doesn’t say debt is a sin but it is used as a metaphor for sin. Like the choice to sin and the choice to go into debt., but it prevents rest, compromises ability to provide and be generous, and conflicts with hard working mindset.
Much like the choice to sin, the choice to go into debt plays a short game at the expense of the long game.
Do we have debts? a lot of us do, but making it a priority to remove debt.
3- listening to instruction. We may be blessed with much money, or little- but regardless we are called to give back.
Proverbs 3:18– Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.”
Proverbs 15:22– “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Also, Proverbs 15:32– “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.'" - Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
we have instruction directly from the bible, and we choose not to follow it. which is why i’m bringing up the listening to instruction. It doesn’t say be a cheap butt who just buys $5 clothes and thinks that’s being good with money. i know plenty of people who. buy cheap things daily and don’t know how. to. budget correctly- it’s just as big of an issue as people with MUCH wealth spending all they have too. It’s just a mindset, and it’s called poor money mindset. We don’t. need to be spending all we have, nor should we. yes, we can save for things that bring us joy, but pretending to be good with money because you buy cheap things.. doesn’t make you a good steward either.
It’s giving back to God what’s already his, it’s getting out of debt, it’s utilizing what we’ve been giving, and truly i believe having some being built- that money being saved should be in good investments to grow THAT”S part of utilizing money. Not sitting in a drawer or seeing an extra $400 and spending it because you can. I am again in no way saying don’t buy the things. that’s unreasonable but before making purchases especially larger ones- start that budget, listen to instruction of someone more wise in the area, and set up a way to feel good and KNOW where your money is going each month so you can better tell it where to go rather than it disappearing.
2- give generously Proverbs 3:9 says,”Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.”
4- saving /investing wisely
save wisely Proverbs 6:6-8 reminds us of how the ants work hard during the plentiful summertime to store up food for the winter. We will also have times of plenty and need to be wise with that abundant provision in order to be prepared for the possible not-so-plentiful future.
Proverbs 13:11– “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
There is a parable of the talents, where i not only refreshed my memory by reading it, but really what the parable was about in Matthew 25, Jesus speaks about how a master gave 3 servants money- while he was away 2 of them invested in some way and the 1 hid it in the ground. When he came back- the 2 that invested had gained more to give back to him, and the 1 only had the same amount to give. The master turned away this servant and told him even if he wasn’t going to invest to at least put it in the bank to gain interest. This part has been interpreted more about playing in safe for Christ’s coming and demand the kind of service that has results. But using money in this parable seems important because we’re asked to not play it safe and get results- and interesting enough to just say-if nothing else- put it in an account to gain interest.
So remember what i just. said about. Utilizing your gift of money? it’s applying here too. Gather little by little by saving and investing, learn about this gift and grow it wisely with knowledge and consistent learning. It might be just our way to exchange, but it will be a life long learning process to continue to grow.
5- Not putting our hope in wealth
we can be wise with our investments, our savings, and our budgets, but we are called not to put hope in wealth. It’s not an idol, it’s a tool to be used.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Worship of money leads to ruin, but when money is used to honor the Lord, it is blessed, rewarded, and can accomplish much.
I think it’s a delicate thing to continually check yourself and motives while building a solid financial portfolio. Even King Solomon in the Bible said can’t go life alone and expect to succeed- need help and advice of others, and seek counseling from the right people.
And i’ve been convicted of this while studying biblical teachings about money. I was put a little check in about how many times i’m concerned about money but have i been concerned about the word of God. Honestly, it made me fall in love more with this kind of episode, because it sets me on fire and gives me some perspective and a little accountability too.
In these verses, King Solomon makes it clear that seeking money before God is a recipe for an unhappy life. Seeking out God’s blessings first is what leads to a blessed life. Ironically, this blessed life includes financial blessings.
I do have to suggest heavily to surround yourself with a couple people who are open about money too. Start with some simple goals, whether it’s a new savings account with higher interest, paying off debt and how to do that, or simply seeing your bank account grow. Then get people around who will encourage smart money management and if you’re a christian and can find a fellow christian who’s open about it- awesome! We need to be able to talk about money- it’s not an idol but it’s important to know how to manage it and have it work for YOU.
Money isn’t evil, but putting your self worth and happiness into money- that’s where it’s becoming an idol. Part of our purpose is to protect our hearts as well, it’s not money being a problem, it’s when we idolize or put it above all else that destroys.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." - 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
This has really led me into studying these parts of the bible again, and i’d really love to know what YOU think about God and money management. If i missed the mark or you have anything to add, please email me! let’s talk about how we can sharpen one another.
And as always. keep shining
