rebelling against low expectations

Should we worry about money?

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MCKENNAH WRITES: I recently read an Christian article that said that we do not need to worry about money because we won’t take it with us when we die and we need to save our treasures for Heaven. However, I am taking a finance course in my school and I think that money and saving is important and it is something that we should think about (e.g. budgeting, saving for retirement, etc.). How should a Christian teenager think about money?


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31 comments

  • Hey McKennah,
    As my mom has told me more than once, worrying about money and being smart about money are two different things! Don’t worry about money. God will provide what you need. (not necessarily what you WANT, though! :D) But just because you’re trusting God about money doesn’t mean you don’t need to be smart about money. If you have money – put in the bank, earn some interest on it. Tithe with it. DEFINATELY BUDGET!!!!!!! 😀 My mom has always taught me to stay within a budget. If there is no money in that category – you can’t buy anything. At the same time, she always says that before you spend anything out of your paycheck – take tithes and taxes out first.

    Ask God how He wants you to use your money. Ask Him to teach you to be wise with it. It is all His anyway!
    In Christ,
    Lauren

  • I couldn’t say it any better, the only thing I would add is 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”. As the verse says, if you let money get the best of you will wander from Him.
    Good question, I know a lot of teens wonder this (even me!).

    Merry Christmas!
    Alex

  • Money is important. Yes we know that God will provide, but we are also called to be good stewards.

    However, worrying about money is different. Money is not the most, or even close to the most important thing in our lives. We need to keep our priorities straight, at any age.

  • I totally agree with what’s been said, there’s a fine balance between being responsible with what God has given us and finding security in money. Clearly we cant completely neglect financial responsibilities on the basis that God will take care of it, we are required to be good stewards of what He has given to us (like in the parable of the talents). On the other hand we are repeatedly commanded not to be consumed with earthly provision (Heb 13:5, Matt 6:25). I think Luke 12:29 NIV really says it best, “do not set you heart on what you will eat”. If money takes our heart’s attention off God, there’s a problem. But at the same time, I think a lot of people under the guise of “not being of the world” neglect all kinds of “earthly” responsibility, which is clearly not appropriate.

  • Hi McKennah,

    My mother says to be generous with your money like for the church and how they have Poor Boxes. She also says that God will provide but sometimes it takes longer than we want. I can understand that! 😊 Sometimes people can think too much about money and get obsessed so we should have things to pass time while we wait patiently for God while he works. I hope that made sense! But I think if it is a good cause like sponsoring a child in another country then it should be fine to be obsessed because it is something great as long as it’s for God.

  • I myself never seem to worry about money but i know there are lots of people who do.
    We shouldn’t waste money on things we don’t need then when we need something we have the money to buy it. (wanting and needing something is two different things)
    If we trust God to provide for our needs and not our wants we don’t need to worry.

    Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

    Therefore we need not worry about money.

  • When I think on trusting God for our earthly needs I always think of Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China. Before and after he went to China he relied completely on God for everything. Just when it was about to be too late God would give him what he needed. My belief is that we are to be responsible for what we do have, and trust in God to give provide the rest. God has given us different responsibilities and stewardship is one of those. 🙂

  • Money is not good in and of itself, it is however, very useful in trying to spread the gospel to others. we need to make sure we don’t waste our money just like we try to use our other gifts for God’s Glory

  • My dad is an accountant, which means I hear about money all the time—and while God will provide, I think it’s also important to remember that just like God gives people gifts so that they can be a doctor, scientist, fashion designer, cashier, WHATEVER, God also gives people the gift of stewardship so that they can be wise and generous with their monetary resources.

    Within a personal scope, it’s important to save money for things like retirement and emergencies, not to mention short-term needs like food and utilities. This doesn’t mean you should become obsessed with money; after all, some smart fellow once said that the love of money was the root of all kinds of evil. But money is a tool. If you want to build a house you’re going to need a hammer, but if you want to function in a society like ours where we don’t pay for everything with chickens, then you’ll also need to be smart and safe with your money.

    On a bigger scope, being good at using money can be useful to others as well. I know my dad has had a say before in the church budget, and he’s been in charge of stewardship ministries before because working with money has given him an opportunity to be familiar and competent with allocating resources. Likewise, he also knows the importance of giving; sure, he saves for retirement, but there’s always an offering in the plate come Sunday and he is able to donate money to certain charities and sponsor a child in another country. If he wasn’t good with budgeting or investing, then it would be difficult for our family to give much or even be capable of giving for years to come.

    Money, as I said, is a tool. Worrying about it, like worrying about anything else, is a sin, but using it—perhaps using it to change someone’s life, support finding a cure for a disease, supporting a community—is no bad thing at all. Money is definitely worth thinking about. Of that, I am sure.

  • “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God; and the peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

    In concurrence with the articles expressed in previous commentating, don’t worry. Instead, trust God to help you make the right decisions.

  • You can find so many Christian “experts” advice when it comes to money matters online, or in books, or on the radio, McKennah.
    That being said, and me not being an expert, I would still say a few things.
    Worry is something Christians are told not to do. So try not to do that. As always, prayer is the answer if it’s something that you not necessarily do but even could worry about.
    I think as Christians we do need to be aware of what we have and what we do with it. It’s been brought up here before, we are called to be good stewards. He who is faithful with little will be faithful with much.
    We also need to be aware of our goal as Christians: the emulation of Christ and the glorification of God. Money matters can be either a way to emulate Christ’s character and glorify God, or they can be a disclaimer of what we claim to be in Christ.
    I would finish with this, the Bible says a lot about money, what we do with it, what things we do with it that pleases God, our attitude when it comes to money, and most importantly, what what we do with our money reveals about our heart. So I would encourage you to study the word of God and ask Him to teach you His thoughts about it.
    God bless!

  • I agree with what most people here have said: (1) money is God’s and (2) he provides but (3) we are called to be stewards, and that means (4) using it responsibly. And (5) we are not to worry about it.

    A book I would totally recommend on money and it’s role, and our role, and God’s role, is “Money, Possessions and Eternity” by Randy Alcorn. It deals with this subject very thoroughly – from our role as stewards, to the ‘prosperity doctrine,’ to giving, and saving, and how our spending must always be in light of eternity. It is absolutely AMAZING.

  • Should we be worried about money? No. Matthew 6:25-34 says to not be anxious abou clothes, food, money, etc. but to seek first the kingdom of God and all the rest of these things will be added to you. Earlier on in Matthew 6:19-20 Jesus tells us to lay up our treasures in heaven. Worry can be considered a sin because it is not trusting God. When I was fundraising for a mission trio to Mexico God always provided for everything. One day I counted up my money and boom! I had enough to go. So no we should not be worried about moneys do God will provide for all of your needs.

    Should we be wise with our money? Yes! In 1Thessalonians 4:11-12 it says to work with our hands and be dependent on no one. I think this means that we should try to live debt free. Our family (the kids) have investment funds and ledgers that we keep up our finances with. 10% always is tithed and we put some money we get into savings, spending and giving. We try to be wise with our money and not spend frivolously. Our goal when we leave the house is to live small if necessary to stay debt free.

    In conclusion, God does want us to be wise with our money and to give generously. However, we don’t need to worry about money. God will provide! As a Christian teen don’t fall into the trap of having to get things you want and frivolous spending, instead be wise and save for the future.

    God bless!

  • I believe we all should think about money, how to gain profit, have a budget, etc. The things to be careful with is how greedy we are with the money and how much of our lives are being orbited around gaining money. Also, we should be careful with what we spend our money on. Not to say that no one can buy luxuries but there’s a problem if you’re constantly buying $100 accessories whenever you get the chance. We know in the Bible it says the love of money is the root to all evil and it really is. If you horde all your money away you’re being greedy, if you spend a lot of it on luxuries it can lead to being prideful. When you want more of it, you may do some things you may regret and may not be Biblical. When you don’t have enough of it, you may become envious of other people’s possessions.
    Definitely the best thing I can say is to be smart with your money. Should we worry about it? To some extent yes, but it shouldn’t be the #1 item on our list (which can also be considered idolatry as well). It is scary to not think of money as a major concern but we can look at these verses Matthew 6:26-34:

    26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

    This is a very hard pill to swallow and not something that can be easily followed. Do know that God isn’t telling you that you cannot be rich. As verse 33 says “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” That leaves the door open for you to be wealthy, as long as you’re putting God first.

  • Others have already mentioned stewardship, so I won’t delve it that, but there’s one prayer that I love when it comes to money, and that’s in Proverbs 30:

    Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

    We need to be wise with the money He’s given us, but we need to trust that He will give us as much as we really need.

  • Yes 🙂 When I was reading this, I was reminded of Philippians 4:1-13:
    “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
    whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

  • I don’t have time right now to scroll through all the other comments, so forgive me if I’m repeating what’s already been said. A very good discussion topic!
    I believe that money and the spending of said money should be very important to Christians, especially for us (or is it we?) youth. Jesus talked about money during his years of ministry, and I think that one main point he made was just to not make money/posessions an idol (more important and central to our lives than God).
    Some thoughts: it’s fine to spend money on ourselves occasionally, but above all remember that GOD is merely lending us the money we have right now. It is to be used primarily for His glory. We can spend our earnings on necessities, tithe 10% to the church, then use any extras for purposes that we believe are honoring to God. That could be spending on “extras” for ourselves, or it could be giving it away to others. God speaks to different people in different ways at different times.

  • Hi Clare,

    I agree with what you are saying about money, trusting God, and using what He blesses us with to serve Him and help others.

    If I may, I would like to offer a word of caution about the last statement you made. While it is good to use our money for God and it is good to do other things for Him, it is vital that we do not let those “good things” become our whole life. What we do for God is not what is important; it is how much we know God that matters – and I mean know Him as in deeply and personally. I learned this very difficult lesson last year. No matter what we do for God and what talents He gives us to glorify Him, He so much more wants our heart!! He loves us so much that He will do whatever it takes to have our whole heart – even if that means taking something “good” that we do for Him away – because we are that important to Him! We are to have no other gods – even if they are “good things”. So yes, serve God with what He has given you, but don’t idolize it, and don’t obsess over it.. God first… actually, no: God only! Everything else is just a blessing, like the icing on the cake 🙂
    God bless!!

    Loved and Never Alone,
    Amanda

  • Oh tell me about it! Hard way is not the fun way, but sometimes I think that is the only way it gets through our heads and into our hearts. The important thing to remember is that it isn’t a one time deal. You don’t learn it and your good to go, it is a constant battle, a daily surrender. It is so easy to pick up the things we have laid a Jesus’ feet again and again – and sometimes without even realizing it!! 🙂 Been praying for you!

    Loved and Never Alone,
    Amanda

  • Oh believe me, I don’t say the perfect thing all the time. We are all fallible!!
    And it seems you have answered your own question 🙂 Nothing good and worthwhile is ever going to originate from Amanda. Everything good and perfect will – and does – come from God! 🙂

  • McKennah,
    Lauren said it perfectly. I think another thing to consider is that you aren’t spending tine and resources on making money simply for the sake of making money. Money itself isnt good or bad; the LOVE of money is bad. In our culture, we need money to live. We need to know how to be wise and good stewards of our money, along with everything else we are entrusted with. But to make money simply to have it so we can get whatever we want is wrong. Use your money to provide for your needs, but also use your money to bless others and glorify God – which could be anything from supporting missionaries or providing financial aid to a ministry, to going on a coffee date with a friend or taking your younger sibling out for supper and sharing what’s been going on in each other’s lives and encouraging one another.
    Hope this helps!

    In Christ,
    Mandie (Amanda)

    Soli Deo Gloria

  • Hmmm well I guess I’m a little behind on this conversation, but I had a thought on this. When God gives anyone resources, he expects that person to use them, but with one exception: it must be for His glory alone. It might seem basic, but I would suggest read the story about stewardship from Luke 16 again. And while you have the Bible there in front of you, check out 1st Corinthians 5:15. I believe that if we need money to accomplish something for the Lord, he is not against our doing honest work and acquiring funds to do it. Remember Ephesians 4:28; “working…to share”. God’s word reveals that many individual pursuits are made pure or impure by our motives. When it comes to money, I think it’s the same. Hope this was helpful. Happy New Year!

  • I don’t think we should ever worry about money (“Do not worry about your life…look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap, or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them”), but we definitely should be good stewards of what God has given to us. As teenagers it’s easy to just throw money away and party and all that, but we should also be thinking about the future, not just the now.

    It’s true that we should set our hearts on treasures in heaven, but that doesn’t mean we should just throw our money away because we can’t take it with us in the end. We should use what God has given us wisely, whether it be money, talents, time, or other resources.

rebelling against low expectations

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