According to Bible, saving money is important. I relate this blog to Bible, basically, because I'm a Christian and the Bible is rich in instructions and advice when it comes to money matters. Here are some teachings from Bible for your guidance through financial savings and planning.
God Wants us to be Good Stewards of His Provisions for us
In Matthew 25:13-30 and Luke 19:11-27 a parable of the talents. The story is about a man who is preparing to leave for a journey and entrusts his wealth to the hands of his servants. He distributes his possessions according to each servant's ability. He gave five talents to the first, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third servant. In this story, we see how the first two servants used the master's money. They invested the money they were provided with and made it grow. The other servant did not invest the money and simply hid it under the ground. He produced nothing for the master. Each servant made an accounting upon the return of their master. The first two servants were happy to report with their master how they were able to multiply the master's money. Both received a reward and commendation from the master as "well done thou good and faithful servants." Because they were faithful, reliable and proven to be capable by the master, they were given more responsibilities.The fate of the third servant was different from the first two. Because he was not able to invest the money entrusted to him by the master and he did not make it grow, he received punishment rather than commendation from the master. He was rebuked as being "wicked and lazy." His master suffered loss because of his laziness and incompetence. The value of the his master's money must have declined due to inflation. As a result, the master took away his talent and gave it to the servant who was able to produce more.
God wants us to be a good steward for all his creations. It applies in money matters and saving money pleases God. In Luke 16:10, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful
also in much. And he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in
much."
Saving Money for Famine and During Hard Times
Another important reason why we need to save money is to prepare for the famine and hard times to come. The Bible tells us that there are seasons of life. There will be a time of abundance and a time of lack. During periods of high economic growth, our life might be easy and we can live in abundance. However, in time of economic recession and depression (period of slow or negative economic growth), then life can be really difficult and devastating especially if we are unprepared. The season of life is definite but we do not know exactly when the time of lack and famine will come upon us. That is why when we are in abundance, we need to store up so that when the hard times come, we will be prepared to handle it and we will survive. There is no better way to prepare for the hard times than to save money in time of abundance. Take these wise examples from the Bible which illustrates the value of saving money.
"Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer." (Proverbs 30:24-25)
"Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, o sluggard, when will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man (Proverbs 6:6-11)
The story of the ants tell us to plan ahead. Saving money for your future is a wise action to do for we do not know what may lies ahead.
Another example is the story of Joseph in Genesis. Their story also teaches us a lesson to plan ahead and how once can be used by God as a blessing for others.
"Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grains under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall serve as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine." (Genesis 41:34-36)
It is Foolish to Spend all our Money
Proverbs 21:20 tells us that it is foolish or unwise for us to spend all our money and use up everything that we have. We are certain that we will experience some period of abundance and also period of lack in our life. But we do not know when hard times and scarcity will come upon us. That is why the Bible warns us.
"The best food and olive oil are stored up in the houses of wise people. But a foolish man eats up everything he has." Proverbs 21:10, NIRB)
Spending all your income will only make your life miserable during hard times. It always pay to save a fraction of your income. The rule is "Pay God first, then pay yourself". If you want to save, the best time to do it is now. Try to save a small portion, lets say 5% of your income per month, then increase it as months goes by. Just stick to it no matter what happen until it becomes part of your habit.
Providing for our Family Needs is an Honorable Thing to do
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than the unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
Another reason why saving money is important is that we need to provide for our family needs. God looks at our ability to provide for our family as an honorable act. And if we don't provide, God sees it as a serious sin and an act of irresponsibility. God does not say that we provide the needs of our family only in time of abundance and in good times. But He expects us to provide for their needs at all times and in all seasons of life including in time of hard economic time. How prepared are you now?
There is always time of abundance and time of lack. We do not know what lies ahead. Only one thing is for sure, God holds the future for those people entrusted their lives in Him including their financial aspect. Learn the Bible's perspective on saving money. The best time to start is to start now. Be blessed!
