“Money is the root of all evil!” You may have heard that statement from a well-meaning individual who is simply repeating an old saying that he or she has heard. While they may say that the Bible declares money is evil, that’s untrue. Instead, the Bible says that the love (or obsession with) money is at the root of “all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
God is not anti-money. However, He is clear about the way that He wants us to handle the resources that He has blessed us with. When we understand how to take a Biblical approach to budgeting and money management, we can ensure that God is just as active in our finances as He is in the rest of our lives.
Seek God First
Matthew 6:33 (TPT)
So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
Let’s be honest, all of us consider money as something that’s pretty important. Regardless of how much you say you love your job, you probably wouldn’t spend 40-plus hours every week doing it if there wasn’t a paycheck involved. However, when you compare money to the Kingdom of God, money doesn’t really mean anything. It’s all about perspective.
The first step to Biblical budgeting is ensuring that you have the proper perspective on money. No, there is nothing wrong with wanting to earn a good living. There is nothing wrong with wanting to own a nice home in a good neighborhood. However, that pursuit of money shouldn’t be the biggest driving force in the life of a believer. Instead, our top priority is God’s Kingdom, and seeing others brought into a relationship with Him.
It sounds counterintuitive, but the first step to Biblical budgeting involves not focusing on money as the most important thing in your life. Instead, money is a tool that God gives us access to. The money that we earn, while it can help pay our bills and give us some things in life to enjoy, is not the most important thing. It’s a tool that God wants us to use to further His Kingdom.
Write It Down (or, There’s an App for That!)
Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”
Having a written (or typed) budget is crucial. Today, there are countless apps and computer programs that you can use to manage your budget. However, if you’re not all that tech-savvy and would do better with a written budget, that’s fine too. In this verse, God told the prophet Habakkuk to write down the vision that God had given him so that everyone who read it would “run.” Ultimately, God wanted it written down so everyone who read it would be able to move forward with the knowledge of that vision. Your budget works the same way.
Unless you possess some sort of eidetic memory, you should probably have a written or typed version of your budget that you reference multiple times throughout the month. Remember, God is just as passionate about your financial success as He was when He told Habakkuk to write down the prophetic vision that he had received.
Without a written budget, you’re more likely to spend uncontrollably. Sit down and create a financial roadmap that you’re going to stick to. This budget can be weekly or monthly. The important thing is that you have a reference point that you can go back to when you’re checking on your own financial status.
It Starts with Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whosoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.
There is a lot of debate surrounding the question of how much we should give. Some people believe that the tithe that was instituted in the Old Testament (tithe means 10%) is still the standard for giving. Others believe that we should give however much we have committed to give. Let’s be clear: God is not nearly as concerned with how much we give, but rather how we give.
Do you give to your local church, missionaries, or others in need cheerfully? Or do you begrudgingly throw a couple dollars in the collection plate at church? It’s not about the amount, it’s about the attitude. The Bible teaches us that God loves a cheerful giver. You know how much you can afford to give. However, God also knows how much you can afford to give.
Do you prioritize frivolous spending over giving to God’s Kingdom? If so, ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you can be a more cheerful giver. We don’t give because God needs our money. Instead, we give because it allows us to be an active participant in the furthering of His Kingdom.
Saving Money is Biblical
Proverbs 27:23-24 (ESV)
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
In Old Testament days, people didn’t measure their wealth in dollars and cents. Instead, a person’s wealth was measured in the size of their flock, how much land they owned, and other material factors. Today, net-worth may include property values and other factors, but it all goes back to dollars and cents. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, taught that people should always know about the condition of their flock. Today, that means that we should be plugged in and know about the status of our finances.
Additionally, riches do not last forever. Let’s be honest, it’s really easy to spend money. In fact, it’s much easier to spend money than it is to make it. If you went through the apps on your phone, how many of those apps allow you to spend money? Some of them are shopping apps, some of them are games that allow you to purchase add-ons, and others may be subscription services. We can spend money with a couple touches of our thumbs!
One of the most important aspects of Godly budgeting is making sure that you’re putting money away for the future. Regardless of how much you make right now, you probably won’t earn that amount forever. Even if you manage to retire from your current job, the fact remains that there will come a day when you retire.
God does not expect His people to live in poverty, even when their working days are over. Instead, He wants us to take the steps necessary to ensure that we have the money that we need to live, even when we’re not generating income. While making a space for giving in your budget is important, it’s also crucial that you have a space in your budget for savings.
God does not hate money. God doesn’t hate when we have a lot of money. However, God does want us to be mindful of Him in all of our financial decisions. Understanding how to create a Biblical budget ensures that you’re handling your finances according to His perfect design.
A Closing Prayer:
God, I want to be more obedient to You in every aspect of my life, including my finances. Help me to be more mindful of the way that You want me to manage my money. If there are areas where I can give more, show those to me. Help me to be more responsible with my finances. In Christ’s name, Amen.