Money Matters
1. Saving Honors God and Serves Others. Many are familiar with Jesus’ instruction to “not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). However, the Bible does call us to set aside for future needs. Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Saving honors God because it values money as a gift that He has given to us. Jesus also tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). His point is not that wealth itself is evil, but that we’re not to choose material things over godliness.
2. Don’t Assume Tomorrow, But Prepare For It. 2 Corinthians 2:13-14 says, “For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.” Paul isn’t saying to ‘give until it hurts,’ but to give out of abundance, helping the needy instead of hoarding riches. In addition to giving, I encourage my clients to plan for financial margin and set long-term goals. Proverbs 27:23-24a says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever”.
3. Give Generously. If we truly believe “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” then sharing what we’ve been given is foundational (Psalm 24:1). Our first command in giving is to tithe, honoring God with our first fruits. The Bible also talks about generous giving extensively (Luke 6:38, 1 John 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8). For Christians, giving isn’t primarily about money. It’s about the nature of God, how he gives to us, and our relationship with Him. We’re to give out of thankfulness for our undeserved blessings, reflecting Christ’s love.
4. Biblically Aligned Investing. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gives the parable of the talents. The servants who invest the talents are told, “well done.” It wasn’t about how much they were given, or how much more they gave back, but that they were faithful to use these gifts to increase their impact. At OneAscent, we believe there’s an additional layer to biblical investing: values-based investing. We avoid companies that profit from things that are dishonoring to God and to His creation, and elevate companies that positively impact the world.
We want our clients at OneAscent to feel confident that their investments support their financial goals and honor God. I’d love to talk with you about a financial plan and investment strategy that reflects these biblical principles! Call us at 205-313-9142 or email [email protected].
-Holden Gully, CFP®
Lead Advisor, OneAscent
205-313-9142, [email protected]
