Do you wish you had more money? According to a CBS News study published in 2019, 70% of Americans say that they consider themselves as “struggling financially.” After the Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the US economy in 2021 and into 2021, it’s safe to assume that the 70% number has increased in some capacity.
Contrary to what you may have heard, God isn’t against His people being financially comfortable. The Bible speaks about money a lot, and no verses say that God wants His people to be poor. Many people misquote 1 Timothy 6:10 and claim that money is the root of all evil, while that’s not exactly what the verse says.
If you feel like you’re one of the millions of Americans who struggle with their finances, take a look at these Scriptures, ask yourself some questions that you will answer honestly, and see how you can apply Godly principles to your personal financial management as you move from struggle to surplus.
Am I Giving?
Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the first steps in transitioning from struggle to surplus is found in your willingness to give of your money. Solomon, the man who wrote this Proverb is considered the “wisest man who ever lived” (1 Kings 4:30). It’s safe to assume that we can trust the financial advice of the wisest person who ever existed.
What does your financial giving look like? God is more concerned about the heart of the giver than the amount that they give. This point is proven in Mark 12:41, when Jesus watched a widow put the only two coins that she had into the offering baskets at the temple. He was more impressed with her willingness to give than the giving of the Pharisees who gave out of their wealth.
Look at your financial information and see how much of it is going into the Kingdom of God. This includes how much you give to your local church as well as how much you give to other charitable sources.
Solomon painted a picture of cause and effect in these verses. If we honor God through our giving, we will have more than enough.
Am I Saving?
Proverbs 21:20 (TPT)
In wisdom’s house you’ll find delightful treasures and the oil of the Holy Spirit. But the stupid squander what they’ve been given.
If you look at this principle in the light of what we just discussed, you may find yourself a bit confused. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to give your money away while also saving money, don’t worry. It’s a problem that many people struggle with.
When we face the concept of giving to our local church or other charitable entity, our first reaction is often to say, “I can’t afford to give.” When you compound that fear with the idea of trying to save, it can seem even more impossible.
A recent New York Post article indicated that the average American spends roughly $1,500 every month on non-essential items. Cable TV, streaming services, subscription boxes, restaurants and other luxuries were taken into consideration when the study was being performed. $1,500 per month comes to $18,000 every year that the average person wastes!
Now, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy some luxuries. If it’s within your budget to afford multiple streaming services, dining out, sporting events and concerts, that’s wonderful! However, are you doing those things at the expense (no pun intended) of your giving and your saving?
God’s Word encourages us to save money. In fact, Solomon said that stupid people squander what they’ve got. Again, this admonishment isn’t about never enjoying anything, but it does speak to the fact that God’s people are expected to be careful stewards of what we’ve been given.
Am I Investing?
Proverbs 13:11 (TPT)
Wealth quickly gained is quickly wasted-easy come, easy go! But if you gradually gain wealth, you will watch it grow.
Who knew that the Bible actually encourages investing? Thousands of years before the New York Stock Exchange rang the bell for the first time, Solomon discussed the importance of investing. According to CNBC, lottery winners are more likely to go bankrupt within three-to-five years of winning the lottery than the average American. Why? Because when they receive a sudden influx of cash, they have no idea how to effectively manage that money.
Again, thousands of years before people were able to win hundreds of millions of dollars in a game of chance, Solomon discussed the fact that large sums of money are an “easy come, easy go” concept. Instead of hoping for a massive lump sum of money, God’s Word encourages His people to build their wealth “little by little.”
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars trading stock in order to apply this principle to your life. There are low-risk investments such as savings accounts and CDs that allow your money to earn interest. If you’re fortunate enough to own multiple properties, consider using one as a source of rental income. The point of this verse is to increase fiscal responsibility through the slow building of wealth.
Without the kind of discipline that most of us don’t possess, a sudden wave of money actually won’t solve many of our problems. Instead, it will just lead to more. Take a look at your personal finances and see if there is room for you to start investing after you’ve given and saved.
1 Timothy 6:10 teaches us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It doesn’t say that money itself is evil. God knows that His people need money to live, and He truly wants us to have more than enough. Afterall, He said that He wants us to have an abundant life (John 10:10). If you feel like you’re living in a financial struggle, see if you’re applying these concepts to your personal finances. If the answer is “no,” make the necessary changes and transition from struggle to surplus.
A Closing Prayer:
God, I feel like my finances are a constant struggle. You know that I work hard, and I do everything I can to earn a living, but I still feel like I’m living paycheck to paycheck. Show me areas in my life where I can apply the principles of Your Word to my finances. I know that You want me to live in abundance in every area of my life. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.