Family Friday: Faith in Finances

Faith in Finances

          We’ve all experienced an unexpected expense sometime in our lives, whether it be an appliance that suddenly broke, a car battery that died, or a medical emergency.  Perhaps you had some money laid aside for emergencies or had a small savings account and used that.  Perhaps you prayed for a large financial gift to cover it, or friends and family were able to assist you.  Having that “cushion” available is a blessing!  However, that is not living by faith in your finances.

          Faith is completely trusting that God will take care of all of our needs according to what He knows is best for us, while still obeying His Word.  Does that describe our normal financial behavior?  Tithing, giving ten percent of all income, is a command found in His Word.  Giving above the tithe is also a Biblical principal.  Perhaps you give ten percent only when you have enough money left at the end of the month or bill period; that is not really tithing, because tithing comes before any other financial obligation. 

          Many churches have a missions giving or church building fund.  If you have pledged to give to that, then be faithful to it and give even when it seems impossible.  There is a reason it is called faith promise giving.  God can give through you what He might not give to you.  There have been seasons of financial freedom in our family, and there have also been several seasons of financial leanness (my husband and I call those “the Baroque periods”).  We still give the tithe and everything we have pledged to other funds for church and missions.  Our children need to see us giving consistently. This not only teaches them the principle of Scriptural giving, but it might help them to increase their own faith.

          How much easier it will be for our children if they learn Scriptural tithing and giving at an early age than if they have to learn it as an adult?  Lead your children in tithing.  If your children receive an allowance, make sure they get enough so that they can tithe from it.  When they receive gifts, help them calculate the tithe on it and make sure they give it at the next church offering time.  Help your children to be blessed by teaching them to give by faith.