For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
Here are some verses from the Bible that relate to spending less than you earn as well as my take on each of them:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12
Contentment really is at the heart of spending less than you earn. If you're content with what you have, you can control your spending no matter what you make (as long as you make enough to cover true needs.) But if you're not content, you'll want more, more, more and will overspend no matter how much you earn. That's why we see people making $1 million a year (or more!) spending more than they earn -- they are not content with what they have so they keep buying even though they are out of money.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Again, contentment is key. But this verse also adds in "the love of money." I'd call this greed. Greedy people are very rarely content people IMO.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Along with contentment, we all must have self-control if we want to spend less than we earn. We need to spend only what we can afford based on our other priorities. Those who can't control their spending get into a lot of financial trouble (think credit card debt.)
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. Proverbs 21:20
So, would you rather be wise and have plenty (because you controlled your spending) or would you rather devour all you have (and be a fool)? Seems like a pretty easy choice to me.
What are your thoughts on the verses above?
The Bible also says, we were created in 6 days, that God is a Psychopath, etc. I would not read much in to it.
Posted by: Nick Knight | April 17, 2011 at 08:31 AM
So Nick, evidently you believe that nothing created everything. A scientific impossibility. The Bible does NOT say that God is a psychopath or any thing of the sort. God is love. He wants to know you. That is why he sent his son to die for your sins and mine so that we could spend an enternity getting to know our creator. His grace is amazing. We just need to trust Him.
Posted by: Keith | April 17, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I won't waste time on Nicks comment.
We are all provide for with a certian amount of gifts, talent, money etc.
What we do with them and how we use them depends on what you believe. We can use them to expand our worthyness on earth or we can bury them in the ground of greed, resentment or fear or squander.
I hope that I have taken the talents and money that God has given me and I have worked so hard to develope an used them to help better the world. I live in a humble existence and could afford a more lavish lifestyle but I do not want to. You can become a slave to money if you let it.
It would be hard to find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control if you are in debt up to your eyeballs and every waking moment you need to know where the next stash of money is comming from in order to pay your debt.
These are some wise thoughts worth pondering some more.
Posted by: Matt | April 17, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Matt, your comment is very nicely stated.
I am not a practicing Christian even though I was baptized, raised, and married in a Christian church but I agree thoroughly with your sentiments. This blog does concentrate on "Money" and in the society that most of us live in at the present time, money is essential to our wellbeing, and as you say it is very easy for many people to fall in love with money and to worship it and the many things that it can buy over and above our food and sustenance.
There are some things that money cannot buy and that even very rich men lack. The foremost in my opinion being the undivided and constant love, affection, and companionship of another human being. The most important thing in my life is to love someone and to be loved by that same person. I consider myself incredibly fortunate that I met my wife when I was 15, married her at 21, and that we are still together, very happy, and in love at 76 - you cannot go to any store and buy that.
Posted by: Old Limey | April 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM
This is good advice for anyone...religious or not
Posted by: Justin @ MoneyIsTheRoot | April 17, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Thanks for sharing. As a practicing Christian, the Bible readings are inspiring and a good reminder that God ultimately provides for all our needs, and/but we have to do our part. Happy Easter!
Posted by: carol | April 18, 2011 at 11:09 AM
I once read that God blesses the more we give, so I tried it one year. I gave more and at the end of the year I ended up with $1k (back in 1976) and, as a family, we were able to take a long vacation to see family.
The lesson I learned is that God blesses in many ways. And the way He blessed me was, that giving more and saving, and saving, I had to watch all my financial matters carefully. It showed me that we can all learn to watch more carefully how we spend money and over use it.
I have received sudden, unexplainable blessings from God also, but I think His message to us is that He expects us to take some part in the blessing when possible.
Posted by: Georgia | April 19, 2011 at 12:27 PM