What does the Bible say about handling our finances wisely? Crown Ministries CEO Chuck Bentley explains the importance of getting our financial house in order – from a biblical perspective.
“Proverbs 21:20 says that ‘a wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.’ I think that’s a great verse to commit to memory. If we want to be wise, we want to do our part; if we want to reflect God’s wisdom in our lives, then we need to learn to be savers.”
“I have people challenge me sometimes saying, ‘I think that’s contrary to faith to save money,’ and I say, not according to the Bible. God said if an ant can do it, you can do it too. Learn to save and demonstrate the wisdom of God, so that we’re not people who are living on the financial cliff at all times.”
There can be a tension between saving for the future and trusting God to provide for our every need. Chuck says the root of this tension comes from misplaced confidence.
“The problem with having savings and the problem with having money set aside is, Satan will tempt us to place our confidence in it. But the Scripture wisely tells us to not put our hope in money.”
He reminds us that we should place our confidence in Christ, not our bank accounts.
“Hebrews 13:5 says to ‘keep your lives free from the love of money,’ I like to say, keep your life free from having any confidence in money; don’t depend on it, ‘…because God has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”’ He’s crying out to us to keep our dependency on God.”
“Money will fly away; money will disappoint us. It’s a temporary tool and it’s helpful to have it set aside, but it was never intended to replace what God can do.”
“God is our provider, God is our comforter, God is the one who will always be with us no matter how much we suffer, or how difficult it is if we lose our job. We keep on our confidence in him even though we have some money in our bank account.”
As Christians, we can always trust that God will provide our spiritual and practical needs. But we are called to manage our resources wisely and apply His principles to our lives on a daily basis.
Chuck Bentley is the CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. For over a decade, he has traveled the world teaching biblical financial principles to the affluent, middle class, poor and ultra poor. As host of the daily national radio broadcast, My MoneyLife™, Chuck connects with all generations and inspires his audience with a strong scriptural emphasis.
Financial planning God's way
