This week's question is another one I answered on the Revive Our Hearts website:
I hear all kinds of financial advice in today's times. I've heard about investing and saving and preparing for the future (for example, saving for our children's education or retirement). What would you say would be the best financial advice for someone who is just starting out with marriage and children and really doesn't know what to do with their finances?
Thanks for this question. If you do just two things, you will have the cornerstones of living wisely financially.
First, commit yourself to regular giving to your local church and above and beyond giving to missions and other ministries. Begin by setting an amount—in my opinion, not less than 10%. Then stick with it, so that you are honoring God with the first fruits as Scripture commands us to do (that command is never rescinded in the New Testament). If you want God to bless your life and your finances, don't place yourself under the curse of disobedience.
Secondly, do all you can to avoid going into debt.
The New American Standard Bible translates Romans 13:8, "Owe nothing to anyone." This would appear to prohibit debt. The New International Version reads, "Let no debt remain outstanding." This translation would allow debt, but insists it be paid off as soon as possible.
Hudson Taylor and Charles Spurgeon believed that Romans 13:8 prohibits debt altogether. However, if going into debt is always sin, it's difficult to understand why Scripture gives guidelines about lending and even encourages lending under certain circumstances. If debt is always sin, then lending is aiding and abetting sin, and God would never encourage it.
Being in a position to lend money to others is a blessing, whereas being the borrower is a curse (see Deuteronomy 28:44-45). Unless there's an overwhelming need to borrow, it's unwise for God's children to put themselves under the curse of indebtedness. At the very least, Romans 13:8 proves that we shouldn't normally borrow, and should always pay off debt as soon as possible. The common practice of borrowing monthly and making partial payments violates this principle.
That "the borrower is servant to the lender" doesn't absolutely forbid debt, but it's certainly a strong warning. God says we're not to be servants of men (see 1 Corinthians 7:23). How can we be fully free to serve God when we're indentured to human creditors?
The choice to live under debt (except in manageable amounts, for example, with a mortgage payment that is modest and reasonable in a house well within your means) is ultimately degrading and deadening to the soul and to a marriage. It is always unwise to live above your income. More marriages are damaged by financial issues than anything else, and more lives are disengaged from a walk with Christ through unwise money decisions.
The effects on children are serious, in that the raised stress level of the home affects them, too (not to mention the bad example of unwise choices). We are raising a generation of young people who, statistics indicate, are not generous givers and who are addicted to the debt mentality. Who are they learning this from? We as parents need to intervene and change the example we are setting for them. Likewise, church leaders can help this by not taking on large indebtedness on the church. When churches go ten million dollars in debt for a new building, what example does that set for the congregation?
I am very pro-church and respectful of church leaders, so I want to be clear that I do not hold to the anti-church mentality that is poisoning many believers today. I love the church, imperfect as it is, but I do believe church leaders need to show the way by being generous in giving away larger and larger amounts to outside ministries, as well as avoiding crippling debt.
(I have chapters on giving, tithing and debt, as well as lifestyles, savings, and teaching children about money, in my book Money, Possessions and Eternity.)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Question and Answer of the Week: How to Live Wisely Financially
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Comments:
I love what you have to say about finances. Your book The Treasure Principle inspired me and changed my life.
The key to financial freedom is to spend less than you make and to invest the surplus in appreciating or cashflow producing assets. If you do this one thing, you will eventually become wealthy.
I make less than $30,000/year, but we're on track to own our $180k home outright in a few more years (while still in our 30's) by following this simple rule.
Thanks Randy for the reminder. I would say to the above commenter that the "key" to financial freedom is greater than simply spending less than you make, it's remembering that the money you have (however much or little) is not yours to begin with, it's Gods and I am just a steward. I cannot be in bondage if I follow God's plan and steward his money well. Failure to do those things most always ends in financial bondage of some sort.
I recently posted some info about debt and missions on my blog if you want to take a look. http://life.outpoured.org
Randy, what do new Christians do when they come to Christ already deep in debt? My wife and I took FPU class and are following Dave Ramsey's approach, but the money just doesn't make the month. We feel that even though we bought too much house that we should still make the payments on it (even though it would be easy to stop). [Note: We are still current on ALL of our bills, but cannot tithe a full 10% because there is not enough money.] Should first fruits be paid first and trust the Lord to help figure out the rest? Any advice would be appreciated.
To Easycure, I would say absolutely give your 10% FIRST. God WILL provide and you'll quickly find that many of the things you thought were necessities aren't.
LOVE MP&E, Randy. One of my favorite books.
Easycure,
Thanks for your question. Here's a couple articles written by Randy that might be helpful to you.
How can I tithe when I am financially strapped and have nothing extra to give? Does God expect me to still tithe?
Should I tithe or pay off my debt first?
Blessings,
Stephanie Anderson
Promotions Director
Eternal Perspective Ministries
www.epm.org
tithe when you're already in over your head? the article you reference incorrectly mentions that the poorest Jews had a mandatory minimum tithe of 10%. The tithe applied only to those who owned land and was applied to what was produced from that land - nothing else.
tithes are for Jews not Christians. the new testament makes it extremely clear we are to pay our debts.
your advice leads to breaking the law and encourages folks to do what is illegal and has the potential to lead to civil and even criminal penalties. telling a creditor or court "sorry! i had to pay God first!" will ensure a judgement against you.
church leaders always want their cut first don't they! They say give to God but they want a check made out to their organization. i can't believe what hypocrites and evil leaders you are. you'd put folks into legal peril just so you can keep on fleecing them.
Way to go!
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