Money is powerful not only because of what we can do with it but also because of what it can do to us. If not treated the right way, it can rule over our hearts and lead us to a life that dishonours and displeases God.
On the other hand, when we fill our hearts with the right values and with the desire to honour God more than anything, we can use our money for so much good. Proverbs 3:9 challenges us to do this, saying, "Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce."
So what can we do to make sure that we use our finances in a way that glorifies God? Here are five ways that you can honour God with your money.
1. Build a Right Attitude Towards It
Honouring God with our wealth starts with the heart. Unless our attitude and perspective of money are set in the right way, what we do externally will remain empty and misguided actions. Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
What's the right perspective towards money? We must always make sure that it's serving us, God and others and not us serving money.
2. Help Those in Need
There are many people around us who are in need (the poor, friends, family and community members) and who we can help in cash or in kind. Generosity honours God because it is a means by which we become a channel of His grace. When we allow God to use us and our money, what we're really saying is that He's in charge of our life and our wallets.
3. Take Control of Your Spending
When we are faithful with the little, God blesses us with more. Why is that? God rewards stewardship simply because it honours and pleases Him. When we take control of our finances and budget such that we don't spend more than we earn, our self-discipline and contentment puts a smile on God's face.
4. Give the Tithe
While the tithe may have evolved in practice, the virtue of it still remains timeless. Tithing is a form of worship and expression of our love, faith and devotion towards God over money. Deuteronomy 14:23 (TLB) says, "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first."
Our giving of the tithe is an outward expression of an internal resolve to put God first over money.
5. Build Your Income
Contrary to what some people believe, becoming rich and wealthy honours God as long as it is achieved in the righteous and honest way. God is honoured when we gain fortunes mainly because it comes from Him and He delights in blessing us. Building income almost always comes because we are excellent in what we do. Excellence and diligence honour God.
