Personal Finance Workbook

Biblical Guidelines
The following guidelines should help you better understand the biblical position of finances in the areas of giving, savings and debt. This is not a exhaustive list of guidelines. Take the time to read the passages listed and do some study on your own or with your spouse.

1. God owns everything. We are stewards of His resources.
Psalms 24:1, Haggai 2:8

2. God will provide for all of our material needs. We should trust Him and be thankful for the provisions He has given us.
Philippians 4:18-19, Matthew 6:25-34, Hebrews 13:5

3. All economic activity (working, giving, savings, debt, spending, etc. . .) has eternal consequences and impacts our effectiveness in this life as well as the heavenly rewards we will receive.
Luke 16:10-13

4. Our motives and attitudes in the area of finances are very important.
Proverbs 16:2, Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 9:7

5. Until the guidelines 1 through 4 are understood and acted upon, it will be difficult to implement techniques and further instruction.

6. Because of the guidelines expressed in 1-3 above, we can be generous and distribute our resources according to God’s standards. God is then glorified and we are blessed. New Testament giving indicates that Christians should be sacrificial and consistent.
2 Corinthians 8 & 9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

7. The generous person will be rewarded and the stingy person will suffer the consequences.
2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 6:7, Proverbs 11:25; 21:13; 28:20, 27

Biblical Position on Giving, Savings, and Debt

Introduction

Needs and Desires

The Debt Trap

The Ease of Debt Growth

Debt Repayment

The True Cost of Debt

Plotting Financial Goals

Gifts Given Record

Debt Records

Statement of Net Worth

Monthly Income Statement

Monthly Cash Flow Recording Sheet

Percentage Guide

Income Graph

Where Do We Go From Here?

Biblical Guidelines

Financial Objectives

Glossary of Terms

Reference List & Acknowledgements

8. Reasonable savings for the future is part of wise stewardship.
Proverbs 6:6-11; 21:20; 22:3

9. Resources should never be hoarded. To hoard is to keep resources with no reasonable expectation of use.
Luke 12:16-21, 1 Timothy 6:17, James 5:1-6

10. We are accountable as stewards to use God’s resources wisely and should properly manage the resources given to us by the Lord.
Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 25:14-30, Proverbs 27:23-27

11. Debt is not prohibited in scripture, however the danger of being put into bondage by debt is an important consideration.
Proverbs 22:7

12. Resources should not be wasted on indulgences.
Proverbs 23:20-21; 28:7

13. God gave us an abundant earth for our enjoyment and an ascetic lifestyle does not promote maturity in the Christian life.
1 Timothy 6:17

14. More economic resources are provided to those who work diligently.
2 Timothy 2:6,1 Timothy 5:18, Luke 10:7, Proverbs 28:19; 13:11

15. Having abundant resources is not condemned in scriptures, however, the misuse of wealth and the striving to gain it is.
Philippians 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:9; 17-19, Proverbs 23:4-5, Matthew 6:24, Psalms 112

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