One of the things our generation really lacks is the ability to handle resources one has, wisely; be it money, time, talents or anything else.

Jesus said in Matt 6:21, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Talking about money today, the kind of money that the youth of this generation earn is almost equivalent to what most of their parents receive while retiring.

With greater resources come greater challenges to steward those resources that God has trusted you with.

The following principles not just apply to “the wealthy lot”, they apply equally to everyone; to the one with 5 talents, 2 talents and one alike! Jesus said, “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)

Here are a few things that I feel are very essential in our handling of money. It’s not an exhaustive list. If you can think or do know of more, please feel free to share it in the comments section below.

1. Sow Willingly

This is the first thing one should do on receiving one’s salary! Every wise and successful farmer knows and abides by this principle. It doesn’t matter how small the harvest is, he will still keep a considerable portion away as an investment for the next season.

Some people do it in the form of tithes to church or offerings to ministries or ministers. Whichever way you do it, make sure that you keep an amount out of every incoming penny to sow into your future. This is not only investing into your physical future, but also your eternal future up there in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-20 NLT

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

2. Plan Expenses

The next and the most important thing every believer should seriously do is to plan the way he/she is going to spend the money on the materially or physically necessary expenses for the person.

Proverbs 21:5 NLT

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Being random and sudden in your spending is fun at times but does not yield great results when the day ends. However, good planning, coupled with hard work, leads to prosperity!

What are your most important expenses this month? How much money would you spend on shopping and eating out? How much money would you spend on healthy habits or entertainment? Plan it all ahead of time, so you’re prepared and not caught off guard.

3. Avoid Dishonest Methods

Do not use your money for unfair or dishonest practices, especially bribing (It includes both receiving or giving of bribes). Money is a very essential entity, you are virtually partnering with whatever you spend on or give your money for.

The same holds for gaining money by dishonest or immoral means or methods. As much as God honours and loves people of integrity, He hates the lack of it.

Proverbs 11:1 NLT

“The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.”

4. Handling Debts

Psalm 37:21 NLT

“The wicked borrow and never repay, but the Godly are generous givers.”

Getting into a debt is the worst feeling a person could have. It has definitely troubled me everytime I have owed something to someone. If you have a debt or loan of any sort, keep that as the top priority on your list to clear off. Avoid all luxuries, and even a few essentialities if necessary, till you clear your debts.

If you don’t have this one already, make a strategy to clear your debt. Plan it up in advance and add it to your monthly budget.

(If you have a debt of any sort, would you take a minute to email me at [email protected] and let me know? I’ll surely be upholding you in prayers this week.)

5. Luxury Living

Is it acceptable for a Christian to live a luxurious life? What do you think?

Do not be surprised if I say there is a school of thought that believes that Christians are supposed to live a luxurious life, and another school of thought that believes the exact opposite!

Let us examine the first century church and see how they managed their finances.

Acts 4:32-35 NLT

“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”

The key aspect about the finances of the church led by the apostles is the fact that there was no needy people among them. Those who had the opportunity to live luxurious life would sacrifice their desires and meet the essential needs of the others from within the community under the leadership of the apostles.

I believe that’s how the church today is meant to be. Our luxurious living is justifiable as long as every one in our community or church is living at the same level as we are. Otherwise, we should constantly make efforts to bring them to where we are economically.

Do you believe the principles in this post will help you? How do you think it could be implemented practically? What do you think about the principle of handling money? Please share in your comments.