My amazing husband and I have lived in seasons of plenty and seasons of want. Both experiences make us grateful for truth from thousands of years ago which has proven to be applicable in our daily lives over two millennia later. In each season, this truth helped us discover joy, peace, and contentment. (See Philippians 4:12-13 NIV)
Reflecting on helpful lessons leads me to share with you the 4 best financial tips I’ve ever received.
When we were living in California, Mark and I loved serving together in our church’s pre-marital ministry. Flood Church gathered pre-marital and newlywed couples from all around San Diego together one evening a week for a few months to enjoy sitting under teaching on topics that impact marriage, all from a biblical perspective. Each couple was given a group of peers and a mentor couple to process their learnings and encourage each other how to actually apply the lessons they learned.
All our senses were indulged as the body of Christ used their unique giftings to serve one another.
Some church members skillfully decorated the space in a fresh way each week. Small groups in the church took turns funding and preparing tasty treats to serve. Various pastors and church members rotated teaching responsibilities. Our participation was to facilitate group conversation and mentor couples in our circle.
As we all came together to offer our gifts in service to others, the church was communicating to these couples (regardless of whether or not they attended this church, or any church at all):
You are welcome here and we prepared a place for you! (This preparation communicated a deeper spiritual truth from John 14:3)
My shoulders relaxed as we entered the room because it was dimly lit and beautifully decorated with candles, flowers, and small loving touches to provide encouragement. These manifestations of thoughtfulness created an inviting ambiance and the environment welcomed everyone to settle in and prepare to receive wisdom.
Our circular table was joined by the same four couples each week and we enjoyed processing the message together, answering questions, and continuing the conversations and mentorship relationship by meeting in our home throughout the month.
Attending weddings, receiving birth announcements, and keeping in touch with these couples over the years has been a true gift!
I frequently notice my mind wandering to ways we can recreate this experience because this specific ministry had a profound impact on all involved!
Part of our curriculum was to discuss finances. That evening Natalie Taylor and her wildly creative husband, Ryan, were our speakers.
I can’t contain all the goodness from their lessons shared, but you can get a better taste for yourself in How to Align Your Finances with Your Values and Answering Common Financial Questions. Here is one central theme to their teaching:
Ensure your values lead and inform your use of finances.
They gave an example of a couple who was committed to honoring a certain budget. They were trying to cut costs, and everyone told them to stop dining out. This seemed like a logical way to save money on food each month. The couple couldn’t put their finger on why they resisted their budget so much and why they had a lack of motivation to follow through. After completing a value sort exercise, they realized community was a high value of theirs, and their favorite way you connect with people was over a meal. They had zero motivation to stick to their plan because it did not align with their values.
They realized their budget would inevitably fail and rob all joy if they did not implement this lesson!
Natalie and Ryan explained how to focus your budget on your values. Once they realized community was their value, and they especially loved gathering around delicious food and tasty beverages, then they could set out to find creative solutions together. Even the process was unifying for the couple!
They chose to plan more potluck dinners, meet loved ones out for dessert instead of a full meal, and went out to eat during the week when restaurants offer more specials.
This process can breathe possibility into your budget and allow your management of finances to become a better representation of your true values. In all areas of life it is more peaceful to live with congruency, and financial stewardship is no exception.
Ryan and Natalie guided all mentor and pre-marital couples to narrow down our top 5 individual values from a value sort. We then came together with our spouse or fiance to determine our top 5 values as a couple. Then they helped us design a sustainable budget that overflowed from our values.
We originally did this exercise 12 years ago, and we still stick to it today!
Want to try it?
Here is a sample of values: Health, Faith, Success, Convenience, Generosity, Community, Freedom, Meaningful Work, Service, Adventure, and Influence. The list is not at all exhaustive, so add any additional ones that come to mind.
Once you determine your top 5 individually and as a couple, I hope you’ll brainstorm changes you can implement in your finances and ultimately in your life!
My dad is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. I grew up witnessing him buying other’s meals, offering his time to teach people about business and wise living, and I continue to be a recipient of his lavish gifts.
In this way, he reflects my Heavenly Father, the Giver of every good gift! (See James 1:17)
My dad wove in teachings about finances throughout my upbringing, teaching me how money earned could be divided each week: one dollar in the church box, one in the savings bucket, and one to spend at my leisure.
He answered every financial question I ever asked, even personal ones about how much he makes, how much he gives away, and how much he spends on various experiences. I love hearing where he is thankful he invested his money.
(Spoiler: it was always on relationships, whether that was supporting friends and family who owned local businesses when he could have purchased items cheaper elsewhere, or vacations with his family where he offered us memorable experiences that we still talk about today!)
For more of his wit and wisdom, don’t miss Life Lessons with My Dad.
He has his priorities straight and he always gives first. After he and my mom were married for a few years, they learned the importance of saving and started applying that lesson, which proved to be fruitful. But the final part is the lesson I learned from him about what to do with the rest. He taught me how to freely enjoy the rest!
Give some, save some, and enjoy the rest with thanksgiving!
Many of us have benefitted from the financial teaching of Dave Ramsey. Mark and I signed up to take Financial Peace University when we were pregnant with our first child and the impact has the potential to bless generations after us who we will never get the chance to meet on this side of heaven!
Talk about vision!
We learned the 7 Baby steps in his class and we dutifully went home to apply our new knowledge. A year later we had the opportunity to meet Dave in person and we even asked if he had any other financial wisdom? He simply reiterated anyone who works the baby steps and stays committed to the process will:
“Live like nobody else, so you can live and give like nobody else!”
Dave Ramsey’s practical steps are a proven way to apply this lesson. And when we apply what we learn, it leads to wonderful transformation!
I saved the best Teacher for last. Of course, our best Teacher is the One who created us . . . God!
Through His written Word, Jesus’ life modeled on earth and beyond, and the Living Spirit we have inside us as believers, we can learn the most transformational lessons about money.
Another thing I love about financial lessons in the Bible is how unexpected they are! They flip my natural thinking upside down and they are compelling to obey. Here is a tiny sampling of my favorite lessons the Bible teaches on money:
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:24 NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV)
(See also Matthew 25:14-30).
Ultimately, God inspired all these lessons from Natalie, Dad, and Dave Ramsey, so I recommend beginning with the Bible!
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Other practical resources I recommend to use for further study include Legacy Journey and Financial Peace University Membership Kit.
There are many more important parts of life beyond our finances. However, generous giving and savvy spending and saving can promote freedom and peace in your life.
Wise financial stewardship will positively influence your relationships and the wise choices you make today will impact others’ futures.
So I want to invite you, commit to apply one lesson learned! And if you would be so kind, please let me know what difference you see it make in your life. 🙂
Here’s to continuously learning and applying together. May you have peace and joy in the journey!
Sincerely,
Laura
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