I seldom write about money management. And you’ll be surprised at the portion of scripture I used to support my case.
Proverbs 27: 23-27
“Know well the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds:”
Yes, this scripture does refer to sheep but every time I read this verse I think of money instead. I read it like this:
“Know what your money is going and pay attention to your finances.”
I said I seldom write about finances. Actually, I never have.
I don’t even know what is prompting this. Maybe it’s because the tax deadline is coming up. Who knows?
As a Christian, I am a strong believer in tithing. But I’m also a strong believer in “sacrificial” giving. So what is that?
Did you know that there are over 2,300 verses in the Bible about money and possessions? Of Jesus’s 38 parables, 16 of them are about finances. The subject of love in scripture is outnumbered three to one as there are three times as many verses about money and possessions than there are about love. One would never need a money management if they just followed what scripture says.
And we would not be held captive by our money or our desire to have more.
It’s not the least bit complicated.
My mother gave me a wonderful piece of advice years ago when my husband and I got married. “If you go to work, don’t live on both incomes.” We never did.
Another thing my mom always says, “It’s not how much you make, it’s how much you save.” She is a living example of that and she has relieved my brother and me of a great deal of angst because she managed her money well. We don’t have to worry if we’re going to have to dip into our own saving to take care of her. She is to be applauded.
Tithing is giving ten percent of our income to the church. Sacrificial giving is beyond that. How much more? That’s between the individual Christian and God. But like tithing, is has to be planned.
Some people plan on giving extra every quarter. But you could do it twice a year or even monthly. Maybe once a year. The point is to give more. Our former pastor once shared how he and his wife try to increase the percentage of their giving every year. That’s a good way to go, too.
Before I hear the obvious objection, “I don’t have any extra to give”, you might find it interesting to know that those who have the least give the most. The higher the income, the less the giving. This has been validated in all research.
An interesting book by Randy Alcorn gives a lot of insight. It’s called, “Money, Possessions and Eternity.”
Whatever you decide, try giving a little extra over the next few months. You’d be surprised how easy it is and how little you will miss it.
God bless and have a good day.
