It’s always insightful to look at church through history. The challenges and themes of the past are not that different from those of our own.

How to use money in the church is often a vexing and contentious issue. The wealth of congregations being devoted to primarily “in-house” areas is often taken for granted as the best way to use it. Churches across the country raise anywhere from thousands to well into the millions of dollars on building programs.

Somewhere in the process however, it hits people that maybe that’s not what God wants to be done with their money. Reading the gospels will never fail to shake-up our perspective.

Sometimes it’s just a book by a Christian author. In my church, we are going through David Platt’s Radical Together, the sequel to his New York Times Bestseller Radical. Platt discusses how his church in Birmingham, AL examined their budget and cut it drastically in order to designate funds for spreading the gospel in Birmingham and overseas. Nearly $2 million was freed up to help the poor and share the message of Jesus. Platt describes it here.

Globally, we focused on Northern India, home to six hundred million people, but fewer than 0.5 percent are evangelical Christians. Based on relationships we already had and new partnerships we were able to form, we committed time and money to meeting urgent needs there. During the year, through local Indian churches, we were able to provide food, education, medical care, and, most important, the gospel to more than a thousand families in unreached and extremely impoverished areas.[i]

The thought of money given by church members for newer buildings or improvements on existing ones being given to people and places most have, or never will visit makes many uneasy. In some cases there could be outright hostility to the idea.

Is the idea of giving away “church money” to another cause and the opposition that comes with it new?

Apparently not.

In the 4^th century, Ambrose, bishop of Milan faced a similar dilemma when a band of Goths rebelled and came across the border into the empire and had taken many Christians captive. The Goths were demanding ransom. Ambrose’s response was to order that funds be raised for the captives by melting some of the golden vessels and other ornaments the church possessed. This created a storm of criticism. Ambrose answered:

It is better to preserve for the Lord Souls rather than gold. He who sent the apostles without gold also gathered churches without gold. The church has gold, not to store it, but to give it up, to use it for those who are in need….it is better to keep the living vessels, than the golden ones.[1][ii]

Over 17 centuries ago it the challenge remained the same as it is today: keep money for ourselves, or give it away to those in need.

Making the decision on what is to be done with a church’s budget is complex. There is no biblical mandate to give away everything at the cost of maintaining your church. On the other hand, Jesus makes it clear, and the early church demonstrated, that to use one’s riches individually and collectively for the kingdom is paramount. With such a perspective, we’ll more likely consider melting a few of our own golden vessels down for the sake of living ones.

As Christians, we are called to understand culture, engage culture, and create culture.  We do a great job of the first two but we do a horrendous job at the final one.  Creating culture seems to be what the culture at large does for the rest of us.  The most popular of the arts (music, film, and literature) are the primary catalysts for creating this culture.  For years, we have nestled comfortably in our homes and have enjoyed our $100 a month television programs — all at the click of a remote control.

In today’s world, however, it is increasingly becoming a norm where TV shows are watched via the computer screen.  Online viewership is at an all-time high.  Words like “VCR, Tapes, and Box TV’s” are becoming more and more obsolete.  And words like “remote control and cable television” might be soon enough.

The Washington Post noted,

While television ownership has dropped, online video viewership has only increased. Last May marked an all-time high— 145 million online viewers in all. Cable companies and their content producers are trying to meet the demands for online content, but like the music, movie and journalism industries, are struggling to find the advertising dollars that would support big-budget television shows for small-budget advertising revenue online. Instead, many are attempting to create apps that will keep viewers engaged with their content throughout the day.

Many of my friends have already jumped on the “online TV” bandwagon.  Think about the benefits for a second:

1. You can spend $16.00 a month and get the entire Netflix deal — instant online streaming & unlimited DVD in the mail packages.
2. You can spend $7.99 a month for Hulu Plus and get many of the shows Netflix does not have in instant online streaming format.
3. You can spend around $7.00 a month for Amazon Prime, which will allow you to have access to thousands of online video movies and TV shows with just a click.

“If Doug can pay for a TV without going into debt or compromising his ability to provide for his family or ceasing to give to his church and those in need, then Doug is free to buy a TV.

If Doug were thinking in terms “wants” and “needs,” he would never buy the big screen.  Or he would buy it and feel bad about spending money on something that’s not a need.  In reality, some Dougs can buy their big screen, enjoy it, and use it as a ministry too, guilt-free.  Amen.  Other Dougs need to take a hard look at their motives and honor their higher priorities before reaching the big screen item on their “wants” list.

Stewardship is an act of worship that proceeds from a heart changed by the Holy Spirit — not a rote of do’s and don’ts.  The Bible gives us freedom, which compels us to rely on God for discernment and wisdom.”

@JamieMunson, Money: God or Gift, 53.

A little over three years ago, I saw my wife Grace standing in line at the café at our school.  She wasn’t my wife then of course.  She was more like an acquaintance.  We knew of each other, but we really didn’t know each other as friends—you know what I mean.  I had seen her several times before walking on campus, hanging out at the local coffee shop, and spending time with mutual friends, but there was something different about her this time.  I can’t really explain it.  I don’t claim to being able to explain it.  I mean, it’s not a supernatural thing, but there was literally something different about her to me as she stood in line at our school café.

I got up the nerve to get up and go talk to her.  I still remember the guys from the basketball team that I was sitting with, exactly what I was wearing, and exactly what I was eating.  We made small talk.  I made her laugh a few times.  She flirted back.  And about fourteen months later we got married.

It didn’t just magically happen though.  There were several things that took place between the frameworks of the two events mentioned above.  We went on our first date.  I got a job. We had our first kiss.  I got a second job.  I made a budget.  I asked her father for her hand in marriage.  I bought a ring.  I told her I loved her.   I asked her to marry me.  She said yes.  We planned a wedding.  She walked down the isle.  We said, “I do.” And all in that order.

Yes, there were several things that happened, but the one thing I want to focus on in this article is the item between, “I got a second job,” and, “I asked her father for her hand in marriage.”  I want to focus our attention on the fact that I actually made a budget during this time.  Not that I’m some sort of super-human budget maker, but I can’t even begin to tell you the conversations I have had with college students and 20-somethings that haven’t yet created a budget for themselves.  Now, I was being particularly intentional with my finances at this time in order to prepare myself to be a husband. But being wise and intentional with your resources—stewardship—is a common theme throughout Scripture.

Stewardship

In Genesis 1:27, God tells Adam to reproduce, multiply, and cultivate the earth.  As the one created to cultivate the Garden of Eden, Adam was to demonstrate stewardship over what God, the Father, had given him.  He was to work.  He was to work hard.  Adam also named the animals and demonstrated stewardship and dominion over the beasts of both land and sea.  Before sin entered into the world, Adam was the perfect steward over what was his—because it was perfectly both his and God’s.

In Genesis 3, however, we see the brokenness that not only affected Adam’s relationship to the Creator, but we get a glimpse of how his sin affected his relationship with creation, as well.  Adam was cursed with hard work through thorns and thistles.  He would still work hard but he would now work hard by the sweat of his brow.  Eve was cursed with pain in child bearing.  Both are absolutely true curses—I’ve experience both in the last couple of weeks (well, my wife experienced the latter, of course).

The fall affected everything.  Have you ever wondered why you are a bad money manager?  Have you ever wondered why you are in debt?  Have you ever wondered why you stress about your money situations?  All of this is attributed to the fall of man and the entrance of sin into the world.

The only good thing about sin entering into the world is that it paved the way for redemption.  I hesitate to use the word good here, but God’s sovereign plan was designed for Jesus to come even before the foundation of the world.  As Christians, we are to live within this truth.  We are to live within the light of redemption.

We ought to live in a redemptive manner.

This means that we should strive to live as Adam lived before the Fall.  Moreover, we should strive to live as Jesus lived—being good stewards of what God has given us.  Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”  I don’t want to focus on the theology of firstfruits as much as I would like to discuss practically how we can honor the LORD with our wealth, finances, etc.  These principles apply to everyone.  They apply to the rich.  They apply to those that aren’t so rich—like most college and 20-somethings.  However, to begin to apply these principles, we must first learn to prepare ourselves to live intentionally, giving glory to God as we become good stewards of what he has blessed us with.

PRINCIPLE 1:  GET A JOB.

The absolute first thing we must do is get a job.  Whether you are a young guy in college or a 20-something gal who is looking to be a better steward of her finances, getting a job that will give you a steady income is very important.  If you are in college, I would recommend finding a good part-time job that will be flexible around school and church stuff.  A good place to start might be the local restaurants in your area.  Being a server is my number one job of choice if you are in college.  You can make $300-700 a week and you can be extremely missional with your employees.

PRINCIPLE 2:  CUT UP YOUR CREDIT CARDS.

The last thing we want to do is live beyond our means.  When we spend more money than God has given us then how in the world can we honor the LORD with our wealth?  Dave Ramsey famously says, “Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else.”

This concept is brought into fruition when we live within our means, spend wisely, pay off debt—and then down the road a couple yearswe will have the freedom to live with the utmost of financial freedom.

If you are reading this article and you have a couple of credit cards that you use every month.  Stop reading this article.  Take out the scissors.  And cut those fools up.  If you aren’t very disciplined in your use of credit cards, then I would recommend not allowing them to linger in your wallet.  Cut em’ up!

PRINCIPLE 3:  SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH.

This principle is easier said than done.  It takes a little bit of discipline to save all of your receipts for an entire month.  However, if you actually can do this for a month then you will be able to see how much money you are spending on everything.  You will be able to see your non-existent fast food budget, what you’re spending on other frivolous things, how much you’re not able to give away, etc.

If you are disciplined enough to save your receipts, then you will able to sit down at the end of the month and calculate how much money you actually are going to need for necessities.

Necessities are more like living expenses than anything else—gas for your car, food, hygiene, and other miscellaneous items needed for living.

PRINCIPLE 4:  WRITE DOWN YOUR MAIN MONTHLY EXPENSES.

Monthly expenses are different than your living expenses of food, gas, and other necessary things.  Your main monthly expenses are as follows:  rent/mortgage, renters/housing insurance, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone bill, cable and Internet bill, car payment, credit card payments, student loan payments, etc.

Just because the aforementioned expenses fall within this category of main monthly expenses, it does not mean they are necessary monthly expenses.  Ask yourself if it is necessary to always have an $80.00 cell phone bill, or Internet and cable television for $100.00 a month.  These are luxuries.  Not necessities.

After you write down how much money you are going to need for your living expenses and your main monthly expenses, then you are ready to begin making your monthly budget.

PRINCIPLE 5:  BEGIN TO MAKE YOUR BUDGET.

Find a few budget examples to model your budget off of to begin.  For your convenience, I have attached below an edited version of the budget I use for my family each month.  I took a budget sample from Dave Ramsey’s website and then tweaked it to my families weekly and monthly expenses and living style.  In fact, I have broken our budget down into weekly expenses—almost to the penny.

The hardest part about making a budget is sticking to it.  After you make your budget, give it to some folks whom you trust that will hold you accountable to say on it.  Also, don’t make it too strict.  Give yourself some wiggle room to make a few mistakes over the next couple months as you are learning to stay disciplined with honoring God with our wealth.

PRINCIPLE 6.  FIND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

The path to living on a budget begins with these steps above.  The path of continuing to say on it depends on how serious you are about honoring God with your wealth and being a good steward of what He alone has given you.

I have been living on a budget for over three years now.  I realize that is not a tremendously long time, however, if it wasn’t for my financial accountability and my drive to prepare myself to be a husband, then I probably would have given up a long time ago.  Nobody taught me how to make a budget when I was in high school or even when I was in college.  I had to teach myself.  It started off as a few lines on a word document, and it quickly evolved into what you see below.

Today, as well, I find myself in a financial accountability relationship with the girl I saw standing in line at our school café about three years ago.  She is now my best friend—not just an acquaintance.  She knows all of my passwords to our bank accounts, student loans, savings accounts, and current credit card accounts we are paying off—well, she knows all my passwords to everything.  And like Adam in the Garden of Eden, we desire to be good stewards of what God has given us.  We sit down together every month and talk out what our previous financial month looked like.  We set financial goals together.  We try new things to save money together.  We have fun with it together.  But most of all, we try and honor God with everything he has blessed us with…together.

Grace and I desire to live redemptively with our finances—like Jesus lived—and living on a budget is one way that allows us to do this.  It allows us to give more, spend less, pay off debt more quickly, and become better stewards of our wealth.

And I know what you are thinking: “Greg, I’m not very wealthy.  I don’t have much money.  Why should I make a budget?”  And to you I would say Yes, my friend, you are very wealthy.   Jesus was the wealthiest man that ever lived, and he was a homeless, often times friendless, and persecuted Savior.

For as the Apostle Paul says, “…you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ’Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”  (Romans 8:15-17 ESV)

We are wealthy fellow heirs with Christ.  Amazing isn’t it?  God is the steward of this wealth; you can trust him with it. The question remains: Are you a good steward of the earthly things God has given you?

Your first full-time job, few responsibilities—the years just after college and before marriage can be full of an unexpected surprise: your own money, and if God’s blessed you with a decent job, a good quantity of it.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve been learning as a single woman is the joy of managing money. The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The verse is usually used in the negative—if you store up your treasures on earth, moths and rust will destroy and thieves will break in and steal. But there’s a flip side—you can use your money to store up treasures in heaven, and your money can actually guide your heart to places it ought to be.

You’ll find yourself more invested, more committed, and more passionate about the causes you’re giving to.

Here are three questions to ask yourself. They will help you make the most of your money so that it leads you toward greater obedience instead of greater self-indulgence.

1. Am I tithing?

This is a great first place to start. You’re never too young to start setting aside 10 percent of your income and dedicating it to the Lord as a sign that he’s foremost in your life. Outsiders look at tithing with their mouth agape—“You mean your church makes you give up 10 percent?!” But I think of it as an honor. As a contributor, I’m empowering my church to truly make a difference in this world. Even if I’m not able to minister full-time, I’m helping someone do that in my stead. It makes me feel closer to my church. Where my treasure is, my heart is following. I take more of an interest in my church’s activities because I am more invested in them.

2. Who is asking for my help?

Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to use your resources to bless others. Is your church undertaking a building campaign? (Silly question—aren’t they all?) Then pray about how you’re going to participate. It shouldn’t be an “if” but a “how much.”

Also, at this age, many of our friends are answering the call to full-time missions or ministry and need to raise support. Listen to their plans and consider how much you should be giving.

Another idea—I was at a concert the other day and the bandleader gave us the opportunity to sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry. In the past, my income has been unsteady. But this time, I realized that the plea for sponsors was directed by God to me. Therewas no reason I couldn’t give. I had enough, even if my fellow concertgoers were unable to afford the commitment. Don’t hesitate to give. Live with an open wallet and an open heart. Give early and often.

3. How can I get more value out of my dollar?

A child sponsorship is a good picture of this. It costs $32 a month to feed a child who currently doesn’t even have potable water. A dinner for two at Applebee’s in the states is $32. What is the greater value?

I encourage you to keep track of where your money is going and to look for places to cut intentionally, with the intention of putting those savings towards a greater cause. Can you keep your old car instead of buying a new one and assuming a car payment of $300-$400 permonth? Can you rent a room in a house instead of renting an apartment alone? You’ll save $400-$600, enough to support five or six friends on the mission field each monthor to fund two scholarships for kids to go to church camp—every month!

Make a list of your major expenses each month. Next to that, write a column of people and causes you can support for that same amount. It will provide a reality check on whether you are getting eternal bang for your buck.

Finally, if you are reading this and thinking, “You’re crazy! I’m struggling to pay my bills!” remember, it is not about the amount. It isabout faithfulness, even when giving requires a whole lot of faith. You may only have 10 extra dollars each month, but even that is a test. Are you going to hoard it away? Or will you seize the opportunity to invest it in the kingdom? One of those two options pays much better dividends.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” –Luke 16:13, Matthew 6:24

The desire to accumulate world possessions never ceases to draw man’s affections and devotion. The love of money stems from a depraved, fallen nature. Our sinful desire to be autonomous and self-reliant: essentially, to be God drives us to seek riches to accomplish this.

The Bible teaches us however, that it is absolute folly to trust in one’s wealth for salvation (Luke 12:13-21). Many who claim to be followers of Christ struggle to give their riches fully to God. To be a disciple of Jesus means absolute devotion. The love of money is a dangerous wedge that keeps countless numbers of people in spiritual darkness.

Jesus asserts the impossibility of Him and Money having dual Lordship. Loving one necessarily means hating the other. Relying on money means marginalizing Christ –actually hating him!

But the good news is his word is truth. He tells us plainly to love him, lest we erroneously put our hope in that which, ‘moth and rust destroy…and thieves break in and steal’.

We know what we must do.

The following are a few excerpts from commentaries on the passages:

There comes a moment when one must choose a priority; loving and being devoted to one, while hating and despising the other. Mammon here is personified and treated is if it could be an idolatrous threat to God. The parallel structure equates the paired verbs love and hate with each other and produces a rhetorical contrast. The thing loved has priority over the thing hated. It is impossible to serve both God and mammon, for there are times when the pursuit of money will necessarily mean that God is slighted. Or there will come a time when a choice for God will mean the pursuit of money is slighted.[1]

If a person loves God he will show this by his being devoted to him, placing everything –time, money, talents etc. –at his disposal, serving him. It is clear, therefore, that loving God is not merely a matter of the emotions but the heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt 22:37, Mark 12:30)[2]

The psychological tension that is built up in the soul of a person who imagines for a while that he will be able to love and serve both masters becomes so severe and unendurable that in attitude, word, and deed he will sooner or later begin to show where his real allegiance lies. Either the one master of the other will win out, actually has been “on top” all the while, though, perhaps, the individual in question was not fully aware of this.[3]

One can serve God by putting one’s resources to use for others. The attitude of giving, sharing and meeting of needs as exemplified in the book of Acts (e.g. 2:44-45; 4:32-37) pictures such service through money. It may well be that the relationship between money and service is why the final remark is present. One always serves something; it had better be God, not the things of creation.[4]

Every Christian must search their heart, the scriptures and their motives to discern what God is calling them to with their mammon. Martin Luther was attributed to saying, “one’s pocket book must also be converted”. A good sign is God continually stretching you in the area of giving –to give when it hurts. What you do with your money demonstrates what place Christ is in your life.

As Scottish pastor Robert Murray Mccheyne said in a sermon, February 4, 1838:

“I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians, because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its lifeblood than its money. Oh, my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly; for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.”

Jesus implores us to deny the false security of mammon. The battle for money to supplant Christ as King can be won. Seek the eternal riches that neither spoil nor fade.

The carefree life of a single guy or girl is undoubtedly his or her most auspicious aspect. When it comes to finances singles are often cavalier. Money earned is money spent. I mean, isn’t that what everybody really wants?

Saving, investing, sacrifice: those are for later in life—hopefully much later. In reality, managing one’s money wisely is a present and pressing need. Debts of every size and sort carry no expiration date. You will pay. That’s a certainty. Most singles handle their finances as if they’ll receive automatic pardon simply because…they’re single.

If you have a job, and you’re not yet married, what’s the best monetary policy? I’ll give you a clue: it’s a four-letter word most Americans find repulsive. S-A-V-E. That’s right, I said it. No censors here.  Our country’s current economic mess accurately reflects our perception of money. Buy whatever you can, whenever you can, as much as you can, and don’t worry about how it’s going to be paid for later.

While there are many frivolous spenders out there, some singles are living reasonably and any debt they accrue is for seemingly good investments—like higher education.  But school is expensive. And good jobs, the end for the costly means, seem to evade many graduates.

Students go to public and private universities by taking out loans that often approach six figures. Moreover, they often have debt stacked-up from credit cards to supplement it.

I was blessed to be raised in a family with a solid understanding of spending, saving, and debt. My father taught my brother, sister, and I to give generously to the church and to others. He also showed us how staying out of debt and accruing savings does, in fact, entail sacrifice. You cannot have everything you want and be in good financial shape. There are priorities. Something has to give.

After high school, I was uncertain as to what I wanted to major in at school. My grades were above average but nothing close to gaining a scholarship of any sort. My parents knew the best decision would be for me to attend a community college and live at home. And so that’s what I did. During those two years, I stepped it up academically, got to play football and run track, and was able to transfer to a Christian college without any debt. It was the right decision—without a doubt.

Because my grades were good, I was able to get an academic scholarship among other forms of financial aid. I graduated two years after transferring and had only $5,000 in loans—which I promptly paid off after four months of work.

I know many people who were like me after high school and who were not as financially prudent in their path to education. They decided to go straight to a private Christian school with average grades, no scholarships, and two extra years of tuition at $30,000 a year. The price differential was substantial to say the least. And I’ll just tell you upfront, you don’t want to have loans in the tens of thousands with a history degree.

Here we reach a fork in the road. It’s duty vs. desire. What is the cost/benefit? Is a particular degree offered only at a specific school? Does the degree I’m seeking give me a solid opportunity at a job right away? A private or Christian college is more appealing than a community college in most aspects, but what value is determinative in your decision—quality of education or financial prudence? Debt is a high mountain to scale, and four years go by real fast.

After college, I served as Journeyman with the International Mission Board for two years.  I was paid a small, but reasonable stipend each month. While comparatively small for the U.S., when combined with minimal living expenses, you can save up quite a bit. So after two years, I had a nice chunk of savings.

Many people in a similar situation came back to the U.S. with nothing in their pockets. I didn’t go on any exotic vacations and eat out every night so I made a sacrifice in some aspects. Does that mean I lost out? Some might think so, but I beg to differ.

No one has unlimited financial resources. We need to balance our wants and needs. This is not to say that we should never have fun with our money. The Bible teaches us to enjoy the fruits of our labor (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Having a budget and making priorities is the key. You cannot have it all, all the time.

Even if you’re bills are relatively small, constructing a budget is wise. The idea too often repulses people, but the reality is you need one. The concept is simple. Take all your expenses and categorize them. Designate the amount needed for each and subtract from your total income. When you know your needs and balance them with your wants, you’ll always steer clear of debt.

Dave Ramsey, has written a number of books on finance. His latest, The Total Money Makeover, 3^rd revised edition, covers budgeting, saving, investments, etc. We at the Veritas Network recommend it.

As for myself, I am enrolled in my second semester at seminary. The money I saved has found a new home: tuition. I see the small sacrifices I made three years ago now paying off.

Life will bring plenty of unexpected expenses as it always does. So be wise with your money and start saving.

For all the single guys reading this article: SAVE money for an engagement ring, now – even if you are not dating anyone.  Before I met my fiancé I merely thought of saving for an engagement ring only once; one of my friends suggested that I start saving for it because I had a couple of sources of income and no actual bills.

Man, I wish I would have followed his advice!  Nice engagement rings, unless you know someone in the business who can give you a huge discount, are expensive ($$$$).

Obviously, some places have less expensive rings than others.  Yet, you will find that the nicer, cleaner cut rings have higher prices.  No, I am not making any money by writing this advice and I do not work for a jeweler – nor do I want to do so!  But, I just know that I wish I would have followed this advice when I heard it.  So, as a piece of practical advice for our male readers: SAVE NOW for your future engagement ring!