On Top of my World: My Money Matters
The Bible has answers for every aspect of our lives, including our financial life. If we look at Proverbs 31 in depth it shows us how applying self-control to money benefits us. The model provided in Proverbs 31 isn’t made by humans but made for humans. God will bless and protect us as we follow these models, in this case through following how to make money, manage money, and multiply money.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
- Proverbs 31: 10-31(NIV)
MAKE MONEY
A wise person makes money. This is a Biblical understanding, and often we misinterpret scripture to think that generating money is ungodly. However, we need to differentiate that it’s the love of money that is evil, not the money itself. In fact, God calls us to work and generate money with an eager and vigorous spirit.
He has given us gifts to do so. We should make something professional out of something personal. We should work with/in the God given gifts that we have been blessed with, in order to thrive in this area of life. If you can sew, sew, if you can code, code, if you can design, design, if you can sell, sell, if you can build, build, etc. Prosperity is the result of working diligently in what we’ve been gifted.
MANAGE MONEY
Proverbs 21:5 teaches us that haste, leads to poverty. God does not want us to worry but rather look to Him for provision. However! That doesn’t mean that He doesn’t want us to look at what we have, and plan with what we have.
Firstly, we should develop a savings plan. Use this to pay off a debt, save for regular bills or projects, or invest the money. Secondly, we should develop a spending plan. We need to spend money with purpose and strategy. Living below our means is a good place to start. We should think of living without some short gained pleasures in order to have long term gain. The most important part for either plan is to be diligent and stick to the plan, making it a habit in daily life.
MULTIPLY MONEY
Money is a tool and resource and we need to put it to work. It is worth it, to work it. The wise woman in Proverbs 31 had money generating through her skills. That’s how she made money, but instead of putting that all back in her business, she invested it in a property, namely the field. She also invested in the asset, namely the vineyard. Really, she just created a side hustle.
Important to keep in mind is the parable in Matthew 25. This teaches us that the money we have is not ours, but is bestowed to us from God and we are merely stewards. Therefore, we shouldn’t lack understanding of the purpose of what we’ve been given. We need to use it, and grow it. The worst thing for our finances is to stop striving to improve our situation. We can triumph over fear in this area with boldness to step out and multiply what we have been given.
Comparison is another area that can negatively impact our finances. The three men in Matthew 25 all received different amounts. Some are granted more than others, but it is up to us, and what matters most, is how we use what we are given. We are called to multiply what we have been given in a heavenly way so that we can bless others and give to God. The woman in Proverbs 31 opened her arms and extended her hands to the needy.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT:
- Do you think of yourselves as stewards of God?
- What does it look like in practice to be wise financially?
- What are some next steps you can take to make your money matter?
- How do non-believers deal with money differently to you?
