Financial Discipleship – the Bible on God's PartSample

Stewardship happens when we recognize that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Everything we own, earn, and desire belongs to God, and we are the managers of the resources He provides. From a biblical perspective, good money management is less about teaching the rules than reaching the heart.

Why is our attitude about money and possessions so important? Money is like a truth serum – your attitudes and actions regarding material possessions reveal a lot about your spiritual condition. In my 17 years of financial radio ministry, I have become convinced that money, for the Christian, is more a matter of the heart than the pocketbook.

In Luke 12:34, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So, if we’re focused on getting and keeping money, we’ll have less room for getting and keeping a relationship with Jesus.

The sobering truth is, that when “things” occupy our energy and thoughts, God takes second place. This is a dangerous and ultimately untenable mindset for a believer. Jesus himself makes this clear in Luke 16:13: “You cannot serve both God and money,” he tells his disciples. Given that truth, we cannot afford to ignore our attitudes – or our children’s – about material things.

Thus, a healthy relationship with God requires a truthful understanding of our position regarding money and material possessions. Once you submit to the idea that God owns everything, your perspective on “stuff ”changes. You cease being an owner, and all the responsibility of ownership passes into the hands of Almighty God. The transition from “mine” to “His” can be painful, but in the end, there’s peace in knowing that God is sovereign

(excerpt taken from Financial Discipleship for Families by Brian Holtz, 2023)