Earlier this spring, my wife and I taught a 5-week class on marriage covering topics from communication to finances. The class had a great turnout with plenty of interaction and discussion. At the end of our time, we invited all who spoke and taught for a Q&A session followed by asking the class to give us feedback on their experience. We had a great response and one area that received a lot of attention was the discussion on finances.

Finances are a big deal and if we do not steward them well we can find ourselves in the result of some poor decisions that will inevitably affect our lives and the lives of those around us. In light of that, I wanted to give you 3 practical approaches to finances. In the weeks to follow, I will flesh out better details in each of these areas as I prepare to teach a class on Finance and the Gospel. My hope is to help you set a few easy goals and to challenge you in light of the gospel.

Before starting, reflect on this question as you read this post: What is it that you value?

VALUE

As we think about what we value, we should quickly come to find where our heart lies. Money is a gift that we have been given to steward and while that carries responsibility, it can be very liberating. Consider what Jesus says about money and our hearts:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:19-24)

Further, consider Awake by Mumford and Sons where they sing "and where you invest your love you invest your life." Money is a gift and reminder of what Jesus has done for us in our lives therefore our heart must not rest in how much we make or what's in savings, but in the person and work of Jesus.

Here are 3 practical things to think through regarding money and the gospel:

GIVE

Giving is a response to the grace we have received so be sure to give generously and sacrificially. Tithing is not just a command, but an evaluation of our heart. When Jesus calls us to give to the church money that's already His, He's asking you to put to death your selfish desires. It's not about giving enough to stay holy, but giving to be more like Jesus.

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice by voluntarily dying in our place for our sins. When we give, it's not just because we can, but because we have been given so much more.

My friend and pastor Mike used to work for a big-time medical equipment company and was making serious bank and several months ago he left that line of work to plant a church taking a significant pay cut. When I asked him what he's learned over the past few months when it's come to money he said, "if you have it, give it away. One day you'll have it and the next you won't so be sure to give it away-no strings."

After tithing to our church, paying our bills, and saving a little, my wife and I pray about how much to set aside so we can give away--whether to bless someone or when an unexpected emergency comes up for our friends and family, we can help.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

SAVE and SPEND

This section is an entire blog post on it's own, but for the sake of time and length, here's what I'll say...

On saving: be sure to stash money on the side whether it's $10 or $100 a month. Make a plan and be consistent (monthly automatic transfers are the best here). As you save, be sure to keep your savings with an open hand (remember giving generously and sacrificially). When you open a savings account, you're making a wise decision and we must remember the gospel in light of our wisdom--keep an open hand.

On spending: be sure to spend with wisdom and intentionality. A good idea is asking what you value tangibly. Money is a gift from God and the reality is that God hooks us up with good gifts. Gifts are not a sin.

So, what's your thing? For example, my wife and I love to travel and we intend to spend intentionally for trips we take. For us, this means saying "no" to a lot of things when we're home so that we can afford to save money for trips. An individual value for me are cigars. I say "no" to beer and eating out because to me, cigars are way better. Figure out what your thing is and spend wisely.

BUDGET and DEBT

Much like saving and spending, this will probably be its own post at some point and before jumping in, here's what you need to know about budget and debt: they're results of what you've been consistent in (spending or saving).

On budget: budgeting is your reminder that this is real life. In fact, we should take this time to remember the great theologian Mike Tyson when he said "everyone has a plan until they're punched in the face."

When you begin to budget: (1) make a plan on what you need to spend and your goal for savings, (2) be consistent, and (3) life happens. Sometimes, the money you've been saving to go to New York needs to be used because of an unexpected emergency or circumstance. Remember that savings is an open hand.

On debt: to the best of your ability, avoid debt. I'm talking about debt that comes from a lack of wisdom. In other words, you spend money compulsively, don't set goals, and think savings are for those who don't want to live life. Here's the truth about debt: (1) debt restricts giving, (2) debt can show a lack of trust in God; that He doesn't give you everything you need, and (3) it ties up or restricts movement for the future.

CONCLUSION

Money is an awesome gift that comes with serious responsibility; it can quickly go from being a gift to god. Value is just as important so we shouldn't begin with what our tangibles are rather with who Jesus is. Begin with the beauty and freedom of the gospel; obey and serve because you have first been loved.

As you begin to pray for wisdom and guidance, make a plan and set small goals about your future and Jesus will provide for you--not always monetarily, but you'll be taken care of and your eyes will be on Him because at the end of the day, that's the whole point.

Recommended Reading: Money: God or Gift? by Jamie Munson

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