4 Biblical Financial Principles To Apply To Your Life In 2024
The Bible has been around for thousands of years and is still relevant especially when it comes to financial principles. As believers, we should be locating and applying those financial principles to our lives.
It is so easy to get caught up in the world’s principles when it comes to money because we are exposed to it so much through media. However, we called to move differently than the ways of the world. Romans 12:2 (NLT) states, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
As you move away from financial behaviors that mimic the world, you may find that God really begins to bless your finances.
Remember, there should never be a time in your life where money is more important to you than serving God. Mark 6:24 (NIV) says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” It important to make sure your actions support that.
The best way to ensure you know how to handle your finances is through knowing what God’s Word says about it. Below, is a list of financial principles supported by the Bible that you should apply to your life.
1 — Tithing
This comes as no surprise. Tithing is an essential part of your spiritual journey. In Leviticus 27:30 (NIV), “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” I know a lot of believers are hesitant to set aside one-tenth of their income because they feel like it could go towards something “more important.” However, giving to God is important. God gives generously and He expects us to do the same. He asks us for so little. Just one-tenth of the first of the income that He blessed you with. I will say that you shouldn’t take this step us your heart isn’t in it. God is always evaluating our hearts. If you feel in an ounce of reluctance, maybe take a step and assess what’s really holding you back. If you haven’t started tithing or may be you stopped tithing, pray for God to help get you to the point of cheerfully tithes. There are many blessings on the other side.
2 — Importance of Paying Off Debt
Boy, there are a lot of beliefs surrounding debt. Not all of them are biblical. I’ve met people who find it totally acceptable to stay in debt all their life and others who believe in accumulating without paying it off. Psalms 37:21 highlights the difference between godly and wicked financial practices stating, “The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.” It is ungodly to borrow without every repaying your debt. In fact, it is one of the biggest ways believers stay financial bound and there is no way that God wants that for us. Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." As long as you are in debt, you will be at the mercy of people who care nothing about your well-being. It is sad, but true. If you are taking a look at your finances and identify this as an issue in your life, it may be time for you to start taking steps towards being debt free.
3 — Never Love Money and Don’t Be Eager Either
There is this myth going around that being rich is the root of all evil. I am not sure who started the rumor, but that’s not biblical. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” You will have seen many celebrities sadly losing their life over chasing money. There may be people around you that follow a similar trend. You may say to yourself that love is strong word and you don’t feel that way. I will say that a lot of us are eager. I heard a pastor say something really enlightening one Sunday. He said if we trusted God like the way we trusted our employees paying on us payday, then a lot of us would be in a better place in God. Most of us start making plans about what we plan to do with the money before payday. Being too eager can cause some many problems. Shift your focus off the money and unto God.
4 — Financial Discipline
I don’t think this gets preached enough, but discipline is the key to success. Proverbs 13:18 states, “He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” As you learn lessons when it comes to finances, start shifting behavior to correct it. Most of our parents have done a poor job in extending financial literacy. That’s okay. We can’t go back in time, but life teaches us the lesson. As you see mistakes, straighten up behaviors. Delayed gratification seems to be a struggle for people in my generations including me. I’ve had to take a break from buying non essential items. It is hard, but it is a sacrifice in the short term that will get me a better position in the future. There are going to be certain lifestyle adjustments that are going to need to be made in your life too. Be open to those financial disciplines because it will better your life rather than hinder it.