A Biblical Viewpoint
A Biblical Worldview
By Dr. Gerald House
“Those who manage their financial life according to biblical wisdom and principles will experience contentment under all economic conditions”. (Ron Blue)
Throughout the Bible, we see characters who faced struggles and hardships at the start of their lives. Look at Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Job, and Ruth. Their faith and perseverance helped them overcome life’s obstacles. Not only did they conquer challenges, but they also grew in their ability to bring about change in the world. All these characters shared one thing in common: a God-centered perspective. God speaks to us in every part of our lives, including our financial decisions. Having a “God perspective” means connecting our entire being, even our money, to God's word. It begins by embracing a biblical worldview and rejecting its secular counterpart. This isn't easy, especially with all the money and marketing used to promote their narrow secular viewpoint.
How does God view wealth? In the past, wealth was often measured by the number of sheep one owned, which was seen as a sign of God’s favor. However, it now seems that the focus has shifted to the financial assets one has accumulated through one's own efforts. In the context of the Bible, prosperity is not solely an individual achievement but a testimony to one’s faithful relationship with God. We have moved from obedience to God and material blessings to judging people by the clothes they wear and the fancy automobiles they drive. The Old Testament, particularly in Proverbs, emphasizes the responsibilities that come with wealth. Today, it is all about the comfort and convenience of oneself. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 serves as a stark reminder of what happens when you turn away from God and live for one’s own desires and sinfulness.
There are many ways to build wealth today. However, the one fundamental Christian source we should rely on is the Bible. I decided to research financial literacy in the Bible using an online AI program. Here is what I found:
Biblical financial literacy encompasses the principles and teachings from the Bible that guide individuals in managing their finances in accordance with God's will.
Key Principles of Biblical Financial Literacy
1. God as the Source: The foundational principle is that God is the source of everything. Believers are encouraged to recognize that all they have is a gift from God, and they are merely stewards of these resources. This perspective fosters gratitude and responsible financial management.
2. The Importance of Giving: Generosity is a recurring theme in the Bible. Verses like Luke 6:38 emphasize the importance of giving, stating that what you give will be given back to you. Tithing and charitable giving are seen as ways to honor God and support the community.
3. Contentment and Avoiding Debt: The Bible teaches the value of contentment and warns against the dangers of debt. I Timothy 6:6-7 highlights that godliness with contentment is great gain, reminding believers to focus on what they have rather than what they lack.
4. Setting Priorities: Proverbs 24:27 advises individuals to prioritize their financial responsibilities, suggesting that one should manage their resources wisely before pursuing larger goals. This principle encourages budgeting and planning for future needs.
5. Building an Emergency Fund: The story of Joseph in Genesis 41 illustrates the importance of saving for future needs. By preparing during times of abundance, individuals can safeguard against potential hardships.
Conclusion
Biblical financial literacy involves aligning financial practices with biblical teachings, emphasizing stewardship, generosity, and the wise management of resources. By applying these principles, individuals can cultivate a healthier relationship with money and fulfill their responsibilities as stewards of God's gifts.
This AI summary clearly demonstrates that much more effort is necessary to educate people about the financial principles of the Bible before progressing to more advanced financial planning concepts. Most individuals do not fully grasp the basic economic principles from a biblical perspective and jump directly into investing, risk management, or estate planning. Christian financial literacy involves budgeting with purpose, avoiding unnecessary debt, saving and investing wisely, tithing and giving generously, and building wealth for Kingdom impact.
When examining the secular aspects of financial literacy, we often emphasize ownership instead of stewardship. For example,
1. Owning our home helps us avoid wasting money on rent.
2. We need to invest so our money can grow over time.
3. There is good debt and bad debt. Debt is considered acceptable if it is for your home or student loans.
The most notable difference lies in the source from which it originates. Secular financial literacy emphasizes individual responsibility and encourages personal financial well-being as if we are the creators of our own paths. There are many books available on how we can get rich quickly. These resources only promote self-interest and serve as a reminder of how far we have strayed from our creator. In contrast, the New Testament teaches us not to pursue wealth, as it can hinder our spiritual growth. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:24), Jesus states, “No one can serve two masters.”
The Bible mentions money, wealth, and possessions 2,350 times. Clearly, God wants us to handle our finances in a way that honors Him. I believe this is best achieved through a coaching approach. Small-group studies are ideal for this kind of teaching. Sadly, many churches tend to avoid discussing controversial topics like finances. However, with today's technology, online webinars can be great alternatives to in-person study groups.
Your faithful servant.
