Kendall and I are fairly different when it comes to finances. I have been saving for a car, house, and the future since I was 7 years old. If I get money, my primary instinct is to put it somewhere to save it (whether that be a bank or swanky jar or whatever). 

Spending money on other people is a lot easier than it is for me to spend it on myself. Often, if I want something, I have to convince myself that I have earned it in some way. There are times of regret when I spend $20 on something silly or go out to eat and later regret it because that little amount of money could have gone towards something like our wedding, a house, bills, or helping others. Kendall on the other hand has worked hard for her earnings and is a lot more comfortable spending. (Credit where credit is due, she’s been killin it lately… like a #BOSS. Working hard and saving so much of it).

Lately we have been dreaming and planning. We are in school, prepping for the wedding (obviously), saving for future housing, wanting to travel more soon. Lots of things to look forward to. Really exciting things, cause life is great! But… they all cost so much. Me thinking about finances can be a huge cloud over exciting dreams. When dreaming, a big question came to mind:

How do I reconcile spending money on myself when there are more important things or people that need it? 

I asked this question to the one and only Daniel Brown (a friend and I’m sure there are several Daniel Browns in the world, but he is the realest Daniel Brown). He pointed out, while God does want us to donate or use money to help, while God does want us to be good stewards and save or invest, money is also a tool that can be used to enjoy His creation. 

What exactly does God tell us about money?

There are over 2,000 Bible verses that discuss money and finances, all with varying points. Below are a few of the recurring points I have picked out!

We should recognize that God made the world, everything in it is His.

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. Exodus 19:5

Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine. Job 41:11

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Deuteronomy 8:18

“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1

We are called to not love money.

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5, 

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Luke 12:34

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. Hebrews 13:5

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

We are called to be content. 

 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.All their years will be pleasant. Job 36:1

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Psalm 37:16-17

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:25-27

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. Proverbs 28:25

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10

We are called to work hard.

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 1 Peter 5:2-3

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. Proverbs 10:4

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

We are called to be generous.

“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. ‍Exodus 22:22

‍If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. Exodus 22:25 

Do not charge interest on the loans you make to a fellow Israelite, whether you loan money, or food, or anything else. Deuteronomy 23:19

When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Deuteronomy 24:20

When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Luke 12:33

Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. Proverbs 28:22

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Psalm 37:21

A Christian, Financial Mindset

We should work in a way that honors God and would make Him proud. Be an example to others. Everything under heaven is His (including money). We should be content with what he entrusts us with, if we can’t be trusted with little, why would He entrust us with more? We should show love and worship God through our giving through tithing and donating. There are many verses throughout the Bible I didn’t use that tell us more about money. Telling us we should diversify investments, make a budget, be less risky as we get older. While those are all good and great and useful, sometimes simple reminders take that cloud away from dreams.

God is going to provide. If we obey, He will provide. “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Matthew 6:26. I am not sure about you, but birds seem pretty happy to me! I need these constant reminders. But God is great and life is great!

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19