Financial Discipleship - the Bible on ChoiceIhe Atụ

The Power to Choose

The power to choose is something that I have instilled in my children since they were very young. As toddlers, the choices were small: which story to read before bedtime, go to the park or the pool, water or milk to drink. As they got older, the choices were harder and more complicated: whether to end an unhealthy friendship, study instead of hang out with friends, or which college to attend. The ability to choose allowed them to be a part of the decision-making process and reminded them to prioritize the things that are important in their life.

In this same way, God wants us, His children, to feel empowered to make choices in our lives. As Christ followers, our choices should reflect the values and principles laid out in the Bible. Offering forgiveness when we have been wronged, having integrity in our work, and staying faithful to our spouse are some ways we show the world that we have decided to follow the example Christ set forth for us.

Our finances are often a less visible, but no less important, reflection of our faith and trust in God. But how do we show this faith? We live in a time when, with just a click of a button, we have access to hundreds of videos, articles, or expert advice about how, when, and what we should spend our money on.

For many of us, this abundance of information is overwhelming and makes it almost impossible to know where to start. How do we know if our choices regarding our finances line up with God’s principles?

Luckily, God has given us the best resource, the most solid foundation, and the most comprehensive guide on how to live by His financial principles in every area of our lives: the Bible.

All the parameters that we need to make wise, sound choices relating to our finances are in there. Just as we help our children make sensible and informed decisions, God helps us through the teachings in His Word.

The answers to every question we may have, financial or otherwise, can be found in those pages; but it is up to us to look for them, learn them and put them into practice.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he urges him to “continue in what you have learned and become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NIV)

So, how can we put Paul’s words into practice in our daily lives?

• Choose to study what scripture has to say about financial discipleship.
• Choose to take His words and commandments to heart.
• CHOOSE GOD.

He has given us the freedom to make choices in our lives, and His ultimate desire is for us to choose Him.

We have the power to decide to live our lives according to God’s will. We have the power to use our resources in a way that honors Him.

Every day, in every situation, CHOOSE GOD.

God Bless,

Meredith Kunzke

Contributing Writer

(excerpt taken from the Compass Blog, January 2023)