Faith-Filled Finances: How to Trust God with Your Money -

How to Trust God with Your Money More Than Yourself | 5 Best Practices and Biblical Finance Quotes To Get You Through Tough Times

Constantly stressing about money? Understandable.

Inflation seems to be getting worse and worse. For the younger generation, the thought of buying a house or having kids looks impossible with this economy. For the older generation, retirement looks lightyears away.

With the conditions of today’s economy, thinking about the future is bound to inflict feelings of stress and anxiety. It may be difficult to trust God and his promises in times like these.

Here are 5 best practices to stop looking to yourself or the world for answers, but look up to God to find the peace you’ve been looking for.

Let go of the Idea You’re in Control

Pride leads us to think that we have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. It tells us everything is in our hands, and it’s our job to have the power over everything in our lives, including our finances.

Yes, hard work really does pay off, but recognizing that God is the one who instilled that work ethic in you and ultimately has the true authority over your finances is what will bring you the necessary peace during trying times.

“Give it to God” is easier said than done, but once you let go of your pride and let something higher than yourself take control, daily life becomes much easier to bear.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones”

Proverbs 3:5-6

2. Consistently Pray for Contentment

Instead of praying for a million dollars to land in your lap, it may be more beneficial to pray for peace and contentment with what you already have.

After all, external belongings will never fully satisfy us. It is the emotional and mental growth that brings true fulfillment. That sense of longing for “more” (in whatever sense that may be), will ease when you feel an internal stability.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Psalm 34: 4-6

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you”

Psalm 9:9-10

3. Practice Generosity

What goes around, comes around.

Even if this weren’t true, it is still an objectively good thing to give to people who are less fortunate than you. Did you know that 85% of millionaires give to charity? Even some of the richest people on earth give billions and billions to organizations and people in need. Whew! There is some hope left for humanity.

Giving to others is more fulfilling that you would think. In fact, sometimes it feels better than making money yourself. Knowing you helped someone or some good cause will help give you that inner sense of fulfillment as mentioned above in practice #2.

“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives”

Psalm 37:21

4. Practice Moderation & Gratitude

This one is along the same lines as #2, but can look a little different. You know how adults always told you as a kid “Less is More!” Yeah, I never believed them either. But, the older I get the more I see the truth in this simple mindset. The less you have, the less you feel satisfaction by worldly, materialistic things.

It’s easy to get caught up in the latest microtrend or overconsumption, but practicing gratitude for what you already have will help keep you moderate. The simpler the better.

I like to practice gratitude by writing down 10 things I’m grateful for, or throwing them in a prayer. Everything from a roof over my head to the keyboard I used to type this.

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Jeremiah 29:11

5. Acknowledge God is the Ultimate Giver

When you’re able to get off your high horse and recognize that God has a plan for you and genuinley cares about you, along with instilling the practices above, the weight of financial security becomes much lighter.

Diving into the Bible, talking to friends who are in the same boat as you, and talking to the Church are all great outlets and can give you wisdom to navigate financial literacy and stability while growing your relationship with God.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope…I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes…” Jeremiah 29: 11

A Reminder:

Your finances should reflect God’s will, not your own. Everything in His time as much as we would like it to be our own. You should use your money to glorify God, such as giving/tithing.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing…Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall I drink?’ or ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”

Matthew 6:25-33