Biblical Finance (Part 2)

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10, ESV

“The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.”
Anonymous

“Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul.”
Democritus

“There are people who have money and people who are rich.”
Coco Chanel

“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.”
Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

In our previous post, Biblical Finance (Part 1): Navigating Financial Struggles with Faith and Wisdom, we explored the biblical principles for managing financial trials. Financial struggles often expose where our trust truly lies, whether in the fragile security of wealth or the eternal provision of God. Scripture calls us to a life of stewardship, contentment, and generosity, trusting in Christ’s sufficiency rather than material abundance. By holding loosely to our possessions and surrendering our financial concerns to God, we reflect His heart and experience the peace that comes from relying on Him, not the world’s shifting wealth. There is a certain weight that money carries. It has the power to pull our hearts in countless directions—toward safety, toward indulgence, toward fear. Many of us are caught between those tensions, knowing what we should do but not always living that out in a way that honors God. When financial struggles arise, that weight feels even heavier. But it is in these times, more than ever, that we must turn our eyes to the One who owns it all. It is not about wealth or poverty, abundance or lack. It is about surrender—laying down our financial concerns at the feet of the God who holds all things together, even when our bank accounts seem to be falling apart.

Honest Inventory: Facing the Reality
Before we can move forward, we need to be willing to face where we stand. Honesty with ourselves about our spending habits, our debt, our giving is the first step in aligning our financial lives with God’s Word. There is no spiritual bypass for this kind of work. Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” (ESV). Though we no longer live in an agrarian culture, the principle of knowing your financial condition, taking a look at what we have, what we owe, and how we have handled both up to this point, still rings true. This passage is a reminder that being aware of what we have been entrusted with is not just a financial principle, but a spiritual one. How can we expect God to bless our stewardship if we are unsure about what we are stewarding? Sit down and take stock, write it all out—every debt, every income source, and every expense. Look at what can be trimmed back or eliminated. Begin with the small steps. Maybe it is cutting out that daily coffee run or reducing unnecessary subscriptions. It may not be easy to face the numbers, especially when they may not reflect what we had hoped, but this is where transformation begins. This is where we allow God to realign our desires and our habits to reflect His priorities, not ours.

Live Within Your Means
In a world that pushes us to consume, to upgrade, and to impress, living within our means is countercultural. It is an act of rebellion against the lie that we are defined by what we have and it also invites us to embrace contentment in Christ rather than chasing satisfaction in material things. Solomon, with all his wisdom, says it plainly: “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it” (Proverbs 21:20, ESV). Living wisely means knowing when enough is enough. It means recognizing that just because we can afford something does not mean we should purchase it. To live within our means requires intentionality, to make a clear distinction between needs and wants, and to act accordingly. It is saying no to that new car, even though the commercials tell us we deserve it. It is waiting to upgrade the phone, even when the shiny new model seems to promise an upgrade in life itself. There is freedom in this kind of living when we are no longer enslaved to debt or the constant pursuit of more, we create space in our lives to be generous, to give freely as God has given to us. Romans 13:8 reminds us to “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (ESV). Living debt-free, or at least striving to reduce debt, opens up a pathway to peace, and allows us to love and give without restraint.

Seasons of Feasting and Famine
Life does not always follow a predictable path. There will be seasons of plenty, and there will be seasons of lack. The question is not whether we will face those seasons, but how we will walk through them. We can learn from Joseph, who prepared Egypt, and neighboring countries, for the coming famine by wisely managing the surplus during times of abundance (Genesis 41:34-36). He did not wait for the famine to arrive before he acted. He knew that the key to surviving difficult times was to plan during the good ones. We, too, need to think ahead, saving when we are able, knowing that future financial storms are inevitable. Like the ant in Proverbs 6, who stores up provisions with foresight (Proverbs 6:6-8), we should build emergency savings and retirement funds to prepare for potential hardships. Preparing in advance does not negate our trust in God, but it does demonstrate wisdom and faithfulness in the way we handle what He has already provided. Start small if needs be, but start. And when the lean times come, know that God’s provision is not tied to your bank account. He is the same in times of feast and famine, and His faithfulness endures in both, holding fast to His provision as seen in the manna provided to the Israelites (Exodus 16). Trust in His continued provision and remain anchored in Christ through every season, knowing He is sovereign over all.

Acquire Knowledge and Build Your Financial Skills
Managing our finances is not just a task to cross off the list, but a reflection of our heart towards what God has entrusted to us. The more we grow in understanding, the more equipped we are to handle the resources placed in our hands. Ignorance is not an excuse. Proverbs makes this clear: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15, ESV). We are called to be diligent, to seek out wisdom, and to apply it, especially in the way we handle money. This pursuit is not about striving to amass wealth or gain earthly security, but about learning how to steward well. Practical skills—like budgeting, saving, and getting out of debt—are necessary for this stewardship. The well known “50/30/20” budgeting rule is a helpful tool: 50% of your income is directed toward essentials like housing, food, and necessary bills; 30% discretionary for wants; and 20% toward savings and paying off debt. However, do not allow these percentages to become rigid constraints. Each of us must assess where we are and what God is asking of us in this season. If debt is an issue, the best use of discretionary income might be paying down that debt rather than spending on non-essentials; we should not ignore the weight that comes with debt. Wisdom lies in understanding that the heart of financial stewardship is obedience, not following percentages. It is also important to seek out counsel from others who have walked this road before us. God never intended for us to navigate life in isolation, and that includes our financial lives. Find people who embody godly wisdom and who manage their resources in a way that honors the Lord. Listen, ask questions, and apply their counsel to your situation. Learning how to manage your finances is an act of faithfulness and one of continual growth. True financial freedom is not about a larger bank balance. Ecclesiastes reminds us, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, ESV). Contentment is not found in numbers, but in trusting God’s provision. The pursuit of wisdom in our finances is about more than just learning techniques or building wealth; it is about aligning our hearts and habits with God’s purposes.

Continue Giving and Trusting God
It is easy to give when abundance overflows. But when finances tighten, the temptation is to cling tightly to what we have left. This is where our faith is truly tested. In Scripture, we see that God honors those who give, even when they have little. The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to Elijah, and God provided for her through the entire famine, and she was rewarded for her generosity (1 Kings 17:10-16). Jesus commended the widow who gave her last two coins, declaring that her small offering was worth more than the abundance given by others (Mark 12:41-44). It is never about the size of the gift but the heart behind it. Generosity, particularly in times of financial strain, is an act of trust. It declares that our provision comes not from our paycheck but from God.

So, where do you stand on your financial journey? Perhaps you find yourself navigating the strains of financial hardship, tempted to lean on self-reliance and pull back in fear. Or maybe you are in a season of abundance, yet feel the subtle tug of materialism threatening to dull your heart of generosity. Wherever you are, know this: the path of financial stewardship is not about the accumulation of wealth or mere survival, but about a deeper alignment with God’s heart. Each financial decision offers an opportunity to draw closer to Him, to reflect His character in how we use the resources He has entrusted to us. Proverbs reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance” (Proverbs 21:5, ESV). Take a moment to reflect. Are your spending habits drawing you closer to the Lord, or are they weighing you down with unnecessary burdens? True freedom is found in living for God’s purposes, not in chasing after temporary gain. Whether you are in a time of feast or famine, let your financial choices be a testament to your faith in God’s provision. He is faithful to provide, not just for your needs but for the joy of giving to others.