Christians and Money: Confessions from an FPU Graduate

"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of eveil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Ti 6:10)

Dave Ramsey famously says, "normal is broke." I don't want to be normal. More importantly, I don't want to be a lover of money. The most important take-away from Financial Peace University (FPU), which I highly recommend, is changing the way I think. The apostle Paul writes, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Ro 12:2)

Christians should handle money differently than the world. Doctrines of behavior are profitable for man, more importantly, they are a testimony to the Lord. I would argue that the Christian who is "normal," in other words, highly indebted, consumed with materialism and generally broke is not a very good witness for Christ.

 

Do you want a free masters degree in biblical finance? Read, study, ponder, meditate and apply the following principles from the book of Proverbs:

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need. (13:25)

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave. (22:7)

It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. (10:22)

Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (3:9-10)

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. (11:28)

Christians are stewards (managers) of God's resources. This is a significant difference in how the world views treasure and the most challenging aspect that I wrestled with during FPU. We should be content, live below our means, eschew debt and certainly not fall prey to consumerism and materialism.

Renew the mind and live free.