Partnering with God in Your Finances
Some people believe that they do not need to engage God with their finances, but I am here to tell you that you are mistaken! God must be involved in every element of your life, including your finances! You may be straining to save for that beautiful home but if you involve God, he will give you the insight or wisdom you need to get things on track and devise a plan. The very first thing you should do is ask God what YOU should do with YOUR money and once you ask Him he will let you know what YOUR plan is for YOUR life but to get you started, here are a few practical things that everyone can do to get started.
Tithe
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. — Proverbs 3:9 NIV
Tithing is the number one thing you should do. Tithing is giving one-tenth of your annual earnings to your local church. I firmly believe in tithing. I have been faithfully tithing for over 20 years, and I can tell you from experience God has taken care of my family. I have never been without. Tithing is not just about giving but also about trusting God and ensuring that money is not your ultimate source. My finances are protected from the enemy and I am so grateful. The word says in Malachi 3:10, Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. And boy, does He mean it! Malachi 3:10 promises that when you bring the whole tithe, blessings will overflow. These blessings can manifest in various forms, such as increased finances, fewer maintenance problems at home and/or on your vehicle, better health so you’re not spending money going to the doctor every other day, etc. All I can tell you is, your money is protected. Some people said they can’t afford to pay tithes, well I say you can’t afford not to pay tithes. It’s interesting because even nonbelievers believe in the tithe, though they may not admit it. The wealthy give to charities because they know it will be returned. The Law of Giving says the more you give of yourself without expecting a return, the more that will come back to you. It works for believers and non-believers alike. The law of giving works no matter what, some people choose to give their money to non-religious organizations and that’s fine if that’s what you want to do but I rather give to the church to help advance the Kingdom of God. The true blessing will be on you when you give to God. Tithing is often seen as a way to express gratitude to God for His blessings. By giving back, believers acknowledge that all they have comes from God.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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 9:6-7 NIV
Pay your Debts
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. — Romans 13:8 NIV
Pay off your debts. The word says we should not owe anyone but love. So yes, that means to pay your car off, your credit cards, your student loans, your personal loans, your furniture bills, your collection bills, your medical bills, etc. it’s the only right thing to do. You will see the blessing of God on your finances when you begin to do the right thing concerning your money. I remember the day when I paid off my car several years ago. There was still a $10,000 balance on my car loan, but as soon as I had that amount in hand, I walked into the bank and settled the debt in full. My husband found my decision puzzling. He asked, "Why are you using all that money to pay off the car? We could have used it for something else." He didn't initially grasp the true blessing of eliminating the debt. However, as we saw the financial burden lift off our shoulders, and our savings began to grow rapidly, he quickly realized the wisdom of that choice.
Budget
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? — Luke 14:28-30 NKJV
Lastly, budget! Budgeting is not an evil word. Budgeting is a process that can make your life easier. Budgeting is the best way to be in control of your finances and make sure your money is going toward the expenses that matter most to you. Whether your goal is to pay off debts, save for a home, or simply manage your finances more effectively, budgeting is your first line of defense. It empowers you to make informed financial decisions and set clear financial goals. The point of budgeting is to tell your money where to go every month. If you are trying to save up money, you must have a budget, you must be intentional when it comes to saving.
Creating and sticking to a budget won’t eliminate your financial stress, but it will equip you with the tools to make better decisions. Whether you’re trying to pay off a credit card debt or save to buy a home, budgeting is your first line of defense.
This month try this:
Keep track of all your expenses and write them down.
Write down your monthly income
At the end of the month subtract your expenses from your monthly income. This number should be more than zero. If it is less than zero, you are spending more money than you make. Look at your budget to see what you do not need or what you could spend less on.
Final Thought
Incorporating God into your financial life is a path to financial wisdom and blessings. Seek divine guidance, continue tithing, reduce debt, and create a budget in alignment with your faith. Trust in God's provision and commit to honoring Him with your wealth. You tried it your way, now let’s try it God’s way!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Prayer for your Finances
Lord, in the name of Jesus, your word says to ask you of anything and you will do it, so right now I ask that you bless my finances. I commit my finances to you Lord, I acknowledge that you give me the ability to get wealth. I offer my gratitude for your blessings. I commit to following your guidance on how to manage my finances, where to allocate them, and who to help through my giving. I place my complete trust in you, Lord, knowing that you are the ultimate source of my financial security. May your wisdom and discernment guide me in making sound financial decisions. This I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.