Saturday, October 29, 2011

A Biblical Lifestyle: Money

One thing that marks authentic Christianity in the life of a believer is the way she thinks and how she lives her life. It affects how she views and handles money, personal and social responsibility, politics, and the environment.

The most obvious behavior is in how a person handles money. Even people who are unbelievers can have good money habits, but who — other than a genuine believer — would spend their money on the things of Christ. Here's an example:

Money

  • Spend less than you earn.
  • Give to godly causes in keeping with one's income. (1 Corinthians 8-9)
    • Don't give what you don't own.
    • Don't promise to give what you don't have.
    • Don't give under compulsion.
  • Pay your debts. (Proverbs 22:7; Proverbs 13:11; Romans 13:8)
  • Take care of your responsibilities. (1 Timothy 5:8 and 6:17-19)
    • Your family's needs.
    • Giving to God's work.
    • Savings.
  • After taking care of your responsibilities, enjoy what you've legitimately earned, because it is yours.
If you see a believer who does these things, you get the good idea they just might be authentic.