A healthy and balanced view of money undoubtedly plays a major role in the development of holistic and healthy believers. That's because money is important.
Contrary to the misconception that Christians should not pay attention to money and only rarely talk about it, God teaches us to value money. Jesus talked about money and taught the crowds and His disciples at various times about the proper view and proper value of money.
Having a proper view of money is almost wholly connected to having a proper view of Jesus as Lord because only when we have a healthy view of our Lord and Master do we avoid being enslaved by money. That's why Matthew 6:24 tells us that "...You cannot serve God and money."
There comes a time that a healthy financial worldview becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. Here are five finance principles that we must master.
Creating wealth
Understanding how we can accumulate and earn wealth comes from understanding the true source. Our jobs, businesses or parents are not our source. God is. And as we look to God as our source, we remember whom to honor and thank for our provisions.
Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Sowing and reaping
Psalm 107:37 reminds us, "They sow fields and plant vineyards, and get a fruitful yield." He who sows a bounty will also reap in bounty. This principle applies not just to sowing finances, but also to faithfully sowing hard work, commitment and diligence in the quest to honor God in our profession.
The more we sow, the more we reap. And he who doesn't sow at all cannot expect an adequate harvest.
Generosity
In different seasons of our lives, God calls us to respond to sacrificial generosity, and while we can never outgive God, we must also learn to give without expecting anything in return (although, knowing God and His gracious nature, He will still bless us back). Psalm 37:21 says, "The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives."
Saving
Saving is more Biblical than we believe. The Biblical example of Joseph, who stored up grain for times of drought and famine, shows us the God-given wisdom that comes through God's grace. Although we are taught to never depend on savings for security, God does honor good stewardship of creating storehouses for Him to work in.
Contentment
1 Timothy 6:7-8 teaches, "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." It always comes to a point that we must accept that what God gives is what God believes is best for us.
When contentment is not the motive of living, envy and jealousy become a challenging hurdle to have to conquer.
