14 BIBLICAL FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR 2014
As you plan out your year and budget, remind yourselves of these important principles. Make this the year that you control your finances, rather than letting them control you.
- The way you handle money reflects your integrity to both God and your spouse. “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11
- Be wary of taking out loans or credit, for “the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
- Always maintain a realistic understanding of what is important. “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8
- Don’t live outside of your means. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘this person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14:28-30
- If you want to find favor in your job, don’t bad mouth your boss. “The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.” Proverbs 27:18
- Have a giving and generous heart. “Be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18
- Fund the church so that the Lord’s work may be accomplished. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my [God’s] house.” Malachi 3:10
- Demonstrate honesty in all your business dealings. “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” Proverbs 21:6
- Be careful of who you lend your money to. Don’t lend what you cannot afford to lose. “The wicked borrow and do not repay…” Psalm 37:21
- Give excitedly, out of your heart’s desire; don’t’ feel pressured by what others can afford to give. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
- Any type of owed debt should be paid back even if you do not believe it will be spent wisely, example: taxes. “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21
- Save, save, save so that you may take care of your spouse, children and potentially grandchildren when the Lord takes you. “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children…” Proverbs 13:22
- Be wary of get-rich-quick schemes. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11
- All who are able should be willing to work, rather than lazily live off of others. (Keep in mind some work like motherhood and housework may not have a salary but contribute greatly to society and should not be considered laziness). “For even when we were with you we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’ We hear that some of you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
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