NUMBER 5.

Give to God and others.

Giving to God and others is part of living a healthy and blessed financial life. If you’re struggling financially right now or trying to save to buy a car or a house, build a retirement fund, or anything else, it might seem counterintuitive to give part of your income to God’s work or to those in need. It’s natural to think, I need that money! I can’t possibly afford to give any up.

Here are a few passages of Scripture that highlight the value of giving to God and others:

Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy.— Proverbs 11:24 CEV

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.— 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

Give, and it will be given to you. … For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.— Luke 6:38

As Christians, we are responsible to use our finances in ways that glorify God. Giving to God and others isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a personal commitment between you and God that invites His blessing into your life, blessings which often come gradually yet undeniably.

Most all of us have faced or will face times when we are in financial need. As Christians, we are blessed to be able to bring our needs, worries, and concerns to our heavenly Father. He wants us to rely on Him in every area of our lives, including for our financial needs. But we have to do our part, by being wise and careful stewards of our finances and by bringing our needs to Him in prayer. As His children, we know that He loves us, cares for us, and has promised to provide for us. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

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