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The financial lifestyle of a Christian will greatly contribute to (or detract from) one’s spiritual development in Christ. Take a look at Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes 10:19 –– “money is the answer to everything.” Excuse me? Haven’t we heard often in sermons that money is not what matters and that our lives should not be focused on material wealth? Yet, Solomon says that it answers everything.
While obsession with monetary gain is obviously not spiritually healthy, how one uses and respects money is important and spiritual. Solomon’s words are not intended to cause us to believe that money can buy everything or that money should be the primary focus of life. However, it does demonstrate an obvious fact –– our use of money affects and reflects everything else in our lives. The way we use it determines many things we will and will not be able to do and how stressed and consequently effective for God we will be.
Have you ever known someone who has a steady income, maybe even a higher income than several peers, yet struggles financially more than others? Sometimes this is simply due to the practical reality of having more children to care for, medical bills, or other situations that one has little control over. However, this is often a matter of people being unwise stewards who overextend themselves and do not practice much financial discipline (e.g., using credit cards unwisely, driving a higher priced car than needed on credit, etc.).
You probably know someone who makes a smaller income produce more than many others with larger incomes. So, how does this happen? Note to college students –– pay close attention and put into practice the advice given in these articles while you are still in school and before you begin your career. You will be blessed greatly. While much of the advice in this article deals with some circumstances that you may not be living in right now, to think about these things now will help you immensely in coming years.
It starts with your decision to give the first fruits to God. Start doing that now if you are not already doing so! Regardless of how much money you make, whether you have a $50 per week part time job or a nice six digit salary, let me encourage you to give at least a literal tithe (ten percent) to God’s work from all your income.
By the way, we have heard the teaching for years that in the New Testament we are not commanded to tithe. The rationale is that Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “let each one lay by in store” or “set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (NIV), rather than writing that they should “tithe.” Let’s just go ahead and give folks the benefit of the doubt who have taught this rather than assuming that it has been a cop-out from giving a full ten percent. However, it is interesting that the Greek word translated “set aside/lay by in store” is titheto. I’ll leave it at that.
To make God the first priority in where you distribute your income will determine so much more about other uses of your money, as well as the direction of your life. Let me also encourage you to do this –– give at least ten percent of your gross income rather than tithing based on your leftover income after the government gets its share. If you tithe based on your net salary after taxes, the government in affect receives your first fruits. If you get into the practice of tithing from your full gross income you will be giving God your first fruits. If you are not used to this, it may seem painful at first, but you will be spiritually better off in the long run. Besides, all spiritual discipline requires some stretching and endurance.
Of course if you make money, you will be paying Uncle Sam and friends (likely 20% or more of your income after state, federal, and Social Security taxes). This also needs to be mentioned: Don’t ever try to cheat the government by hiding income. Regardless of how you may want to rationalize this, it is wrong and un-Christ-like to cheat on income taxes. However, when you get to the point that you can itemize deductions on your taxes, all legal deductions equal good stewardship. If you are in college, you likely don’t make enough to do this yet, but save the info for later. Keep in mind though, if you cheat when you don’t make much money, it will be so much easier to continue this dishonesty when you are making bigger money and it will get in the way of your relationship with and service to God.
In addition to giving at least ten percent directly to God’s work (in reality the full 100% is God’s), get into the practice of putting another ten percent into savings, even more if possible. Famous financial expert, and funny man, Ben Stein, says that if it doesn’t hurt at least a little, then you probably are not saving enough. Be disciplined enough to put this ten percent into a savings account, certificate of deposit, or a good mutual fund when you have enough to open that type of account. First, get some advice from someone who is seasoned in mutual fund investing. If you go the mutual fund route, you need to do so with the mindset that you are not taking that money out for years (although you can constantly add to it). Don’t panic when the market drops here and there. It’s definitely a long-term visionary way of saving. Even if you can’t go the mutual fund route at this point, put some away with every paycheck into a savings account and leave it alone. Financial experts advise that you save enough in order to have at least three, preferably six, months of your current income sitting in a savings account in case you find yourself in a pickle later. Then, live your week to week life with that 60% (or less if you save or contribute more) that is left after God, the government, and personal savings.
Here is how these decisions will greatly affect your lifestyle and future. You are now disciplining yourself to have expenses that are no higher than 60% of your total income. You will base the rent/mortgage you can afford on what is left after God, the government and your savings are taken care of (by the way, when you can buy a house –do it rather than paying rent). You will do the same regarding the car you drive, how much you eat out, and all other expenditures. Your donation to God will not be based on the leftovers after your bills are paid and you’ve bought the stuff you want. Rather, it’s the other way around. You will likely be more blessed if you will not spend the full 60%. Instead, save a little more, and keep yourself open to giving more to charitable causes. Keep more in your checking account for emergencies and things that will have more in depth satisfaction on a special occasion than the latest PlayStation game you want or another night of eating out in lieu of using the campus meal card that is already paid for.
“Money is the answer to everything” because how you use (or misuse) it will determine several other factors about the way you live, and the way your relationship with Christ develops. A prayerful life of financial stewardship and discipline, including living below your means, will help you stay out of the trap of materialism and stay focused on God rather than money. It will also help to keep you safe in the future when things get rough.
Randy Gore planted the ministry at the University of South Carolina in 2001. He is a Carolina alumnus, holds an M.S. from Southern Christian University, served as a youth minister before transitioning to campus work and is completing his Master of Divinity from Lipscomb.
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