Christian Financial Planning

When it comes to Christian financial planning, believers need to go by the Book. For a follower of Jesus Christ, the Bible is full of principles designed to bring prosperity and keep believers out of the bankruptcy courtroom. Managing personal finances requires an application of Biblical principles combined with the wisdom of God and at least a cursory knowledge of the global economy. Beginning with the principle of tithing, or giving a tenth of one's income, Bible-believing Christians can realize financial prosperity as they allow the Spirit of God to become their Chief Operating Officer. According to the Bible, Christians are destined to be wealthy, healthy and wise; as a reward for obedience to the Word of God and diligence in bountifully sowing materially and spiritually.

Surveys indicate that a majority of believers feel that tithing is an essential part of Christian financial planning and that giving to God and to Christian ministries is the key to personal monetary gain. Tithers regularly give and trust the Lord to enable them to live bountifully on the remaining 90% of their gross income. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (II Corinthians 9:6-8).

In the secular realm, money makes the world go around. And while believers are in the world, but not of the world; having a working knowledge of how money works locally, nationally and globally equips believers to exercise sound Christian financial planning and prosper in a complex secular system. The people of God are better able to respond to fluctuating economic climates and act responsibly to gain and retain the world's goods so necessary for survival. The knowledge of global money markets; how to purchase stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and build a portfolio; and day-to-day financial management simply enables believers to intelligently and efficiently compete for a share of the earth's wealth.

Obeying the commandment of God and the law of the land is another key to good Christian financial planning. As followers of Jesus Christ, believers readily adhere to the commandment to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." And as part of a good Christian testimony, believers are more prone to be good tithers and taxpayers. Christian money management also includes acknowledging God before making major purchases, such as new homes and vehicles; going into new business ventures; planning for a child's college education; or taking family vacations. Ane when it comes to handling daily money matters, believers are just like non-believers. They shop at the grocery store while agonizing over escalating prices and balk at the gas pumps as prices continue to rise. Born-again believers are just as concerned about healthcare as any other sector of the population, and face just as many financial trials. But the prevailing factor in how believers handle Christian financial planning is their faith and trust in God.

True followers of Jesus Christ are led by His Spirit in every area of life, especially in Christian financial planning. When believers tithe, the expectation is not that money problems won't occur, but that God will uphold His Word to rebuke the devourer for the sake of His children. So when Christian homeowners face the threat of foreclosure due to job loss, or when faith-filled families undergo the trauma of a diagnosis of cancer; they have the confidence that God will supply a remedy and a way of escape from natural, spiritual, and financial trials and tribulations. The Spirit of the Lord will not only guide distressed homeowners to call the bank and arrange workout plans, but also give them favor with the banker. The Spirit of the Lord will not only lead distraught families to pray for healing, but also provide a financial miracle to cover medical expenses. And as believers acknowlege Him, the Spirit of the Lord will govern the finances of faithful to lay aside funds for a rainy day, or to make wise investments, or purchase high-yield assets as a hedge against inflation.

While some believers throw caution to the wind when it comes to Christian financial planning; and others blithely believe in a "name it and claim it" doctrine of prosperity; God is a God of balance. As believers grow closer to the Lord, adhere to His Word, and are led daily by the unction of His Spirit, then wise money management becomes second nature. God will begin to guide believers to make lucrative investments or refrain from spending and concentrate on saving due to economic conditions that only He can forecast. On the other hand, as believers acknowledge Him through financial giving, He will lead them to the right job, car, house, or even the right spouse -- all the things which the believer will need in this present life to prosper.

When the Lord sees that His children are obedient in tithing and giving the firstfruits of all that they possess, then He grants wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the world's systems of financial prosperity, divine health, and agape love. The child of God who allows the Lord to be their CEO and Chief Operating Officer will live the abundant life without gimmicks or religious hype. Through prudent Christian financial planning, which begins with liberal giving and obedience, God will shower believers with a bountifulness of natural and spirital prosperity, including freedom from sickness, longevity of life, the love of a faithful mate, and the fruit of the womb.

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