Where Do You Stand with Your Money as a Christian?

When it comes to Christian money matters a lot of times people get confused. Should Christians follow the worlds way of handling money or should Christians follow the actual biblical principals that were laid out thousands of years ago. Christians need to be careful the way they spend their money. It is important for Christians to know that money is not their master but a tool for enhancing their lives. Christians need to understand that everything that they have is a gift from God, and understanding that is first and foremost the most import rule of money for a Christian.

One of the biggest ways to understand that money is just a tool and that it does not dictate a Christain's life is by tithing. Tithing is the process in which a Christian gives at least 10% of their income to their home church, or place where they are being spiritually nourished. This is important in receiving God's blessings as taught in the book of Malachi. To receive God's blessings, Christians first have to show that our money is not their master, but rather that Christians are the master of their money! This is why tithing is so important. You can read more about tithing in Tithes and Offerings: Do they Still Apply?

Another thing that Christian's face when dealing with their money, is being sure to spend their money wisely. Christians are to be good stewards of their money. It is important that Christian's do not often spend their money on foolish things, especially those that promote sin. God is certain to give His people what He knows He can trust them with. If a Christian is a good steward of the resources they have now, God will entrust them with increase!

Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Talents

14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents^[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 25:15 A talent was worth more than a thousand dollars.

In reading that parable, a Christian should be able to grab the concept of how God views what we have now, versus what He will give us in the future.

One of the most important things that a Christian can do for his/her money issues, is to pray! Prayer is a powerful tool, and the Bible tells us that we have not because we ask not! Ask the Lord to bless working hands. Ask the Lord to provide your every need, while quoting Scripture of His very promises that He gives us in His word. Don't forget to ask the Lord to SHOW you what He wants you to do with your money that He has already entrusted to you. And lastly, get out your check book, bills and finical statements and pray over them, declaring God's word.

Now, I am not saying pray over a $10,000.00 credit card debt that was acquired by frivolous spending, but pray over your paycheck for increase and pray over the utilities, that your needs be met. And if that $10,000.00 credit card bill suits you, pray for the Lord to show you how to properly manger your money and work supernaturally to allow you to ability, wisdom and resources to get yourself out of that situation.

There is no recession that can out do God, in the end it is God who gives us everything we have, so use it wisely!