Session 4 - Financial Management - Avoiding Debt

Sermon and Prayer

Financial management starts with what is in your hands right now – it’s not based on how much you make but how well you manage it. Learn how to responsibly steward what you have now in the light of God’s Word. Discover that in marriage, whatever is received, whether from a husband or wife’s income, is actually from God – and as stewards, it does not shift roles or responsibilities in the home. Understand the importance of financial accountability between husband and wife as while transparency builds trust, secrecy fuels suspicion.

Join Brother Chris as he highlights 6 keys to guide financial management:
1. God is Your Source and Sustainer
2. The Manner In Which You Make Money Matters
3. Money Is A Good Servant, But A Bad Master
4. We Occupy The Position Of Stewardship, Not Ownership
5. Live Within Your Means And Avoid Debt By All Means
6. The Secret Of Blessing Lies In Giving

Scriptures

Deuteronomy 8:16–18

“…who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day”

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honour come from You, And You reign over all; In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You”.

“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity”.

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame”.

“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labour will increase”.

“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel”.

“The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender”.

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished”.

“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool”.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon”.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?”.

“He also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward”‘”.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen”.

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”.

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work”.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'”.

Questions & Answers

Written Questions

Many questions were submitted before the seminars. Here are responses to some of those written questions, which are relevant to this fourth session.

From a Christian point of view, should husband and wife use joint or separate accounts?

In a Christian marriage, God makes the couple ‘one flesh’, meaning their lives and financial resources are shared. Even if both spouses are earning, there may be two sources of income, but they constitute a single ‘pot’ or shared resource. The concept of ‘my money’ and ‘your money’ does not belong in a marriage where two have become one.

Practically, this usually means using a joint bank account, which protects against secrecy regarding earnings or spending and assists in joint management. There may be occasional practical exceptions for keeping some funds separate, such as protecting family finances from business risks, but the motivation must never be to avoid transparency or accountability.

If one partner has a history of irresponsible spending, the solution is not to separate accounts or keep secrets, but to address the issue through open communication, correction, and godly counsel. If the problem is severe enough to justify separate accounts, it should be viewed as a temporary measure for training and correction rather than a permanent solution.

Tensions regarding tithing often stem from a lack of faith and trust in God rather than genuine doctrinal differences. Couples should be careful not to use theological arguments to justify unbelief.

Among Bible-believing Christians, there are two primary interpretations of tithing:

  • Moral Law: This view holds that tithing is part of the moral law (like the command to love your neighbour) established in the Old Testament and remains a continuing obligation for Christians today.
  • Ceremonial Law: This view sees tithing as part of the ceremonial law (like animal sacrifice) that was fulfilled in Christ and is no longer binding.

In practice, these views are not far apart because even those who do not see the 10% figure as binding often view it as a good starting point for giving. This follows the examples of Abraham (Genesis 14) and Jacob (Genesis 28), who gave a tenth spontaneously before the Law of Moses existed.

Both approaches agree on several core points:

  • God’s Ownership: God owns everything, and we are stewards of the resources He provides.
  • Importance of Giving: Believers are required to give financially to support the church, missions, and the poor.
  • Heart and Motive: Giving must be cheerful, grateful, and voluntary, never out of legalistic compulsion.

Couples should strive for a common position through honest discussion and prayer. Tithing is an appreciation of God’s provision, not a tax or membership fee. The question should not be ‘Can we afford to tithe?’ but ‘What does God say?’ to avoid reluctant giving.

This situation highlights a need for transparent communication. Finances are shared resources, and decisions regarding them – including supporting parents – must be joint decisions; one partner cannot act as if they were still single.

There is a distinction between the ‘commandment of God’ and the ‘tradition of the elders’. While Scripture commands us to honour our parents, sending financial contributions to parents who already have sufficient resources purely for traditional reasons is different. The relationship between husband and wife has a different spiritual significance than that of a mother and son; as stated in Genesis 2:24 – “a man must leave his parents and be joined to his wife as one flesh”.

The acceptability of vacations or nights out depends on the underlying motivation. While the Bible does not mention modern vacations, Leviticus 23 describes different ‘Feasts of the Lord’ that involved taking time off work, travelling, and joyful celebration. These were specifically for remembering and celebrating God’s deeds rather than for selfish indulgence.

A vacation intended to refresh the heart, soul, and body with God at the centre is very different from an escape from responsibility to God. Similarly, a husband occasionally taking his wife out to cherish her (Ephesians 5:29) or rejoice with her (Proverbs 5:18) is distinct from going out to get drunk or show off to others.

Even on a tight budget, such expenditures can be justifiable because money is not just for tangible goods, but to help us do what is right before God. However, a vacation is not an obligation; couples can find inexpensive ways to rest and celebrate.

Spontaneous Questions

During this session, the opportunity was also given to participants to ask spontaneous questions which arose after listening to the teaching. Here are the immediate answers given to some of those questions during the live seminar.

How can we offer advice to friends and family without interfering in their marriages?

Advice and encouragement provided in the light of God’s Word is not considered interference. Interference implies contributing something that causes a problem, whereas godly counsel should lead toward a solution. The primary danger when advising family or friends is the temptation to express purely human sympathy. Because of familiarity or personal connection, we may be tempted to dilute the truth, water it down, or adjust the standards of God’s Word.

Nice or sympathetic words do not bring about real change; only the truth of God’s Word can do that. When you see a family member facing a challenge, sharing what God has revealed through His truth is an expression of love. Your responsibility as a couple is to speak the truth in love and plant that seed, believing that the Holy Spirit will make it work in their hearts.

As a Christian, you should be careful not to fall into the trap of giving with the expectation of receiving it back. It is encouraged that you give rather than loan when in a position to do so. Informal loans often open the door to unnecessary offence and can muddy the waters of a relationship if the person does not respond as expected.

Couples should review their finances and, if they find they can help, do so without strings attached or expectations of a return. If the money is eventually returned, it is a cause for thanks, but it should not be a condition of the gift. Key principles include:

  • Give Cheerfully: Do not give from a place of pressure. If you do not give from your heart, you rob yourself of the spiritual benefits and may later harbour regrets.
  • Focus on the Act: The principle of giving is based on the act itself rather than the person receiving it.
  • The Test of Gratitude: It is particularly valuable to give to those who can never thank you, as expecting appreciation can also rob a giver of spiritual blessings.
  • Verify the Help: Before giving, husband and wife should pray to ensure the financial gift is truly helpful. Not every form of help is beneficial; some gifts may merely nurture a person’s weakness.

Ultimately, your greatest responsibility is to point those in need toward the Word of God. Seek God’s face regarding these decisions to ensure your gift acts as a blessing rather than worsening a problem.

Navigating differences in financial priorities requires constructive communication. A spouse may not immediately understand the needs or traditions of their partner’s extended family. It is important to talk through these differences so that both partners reach the same level of understanding. For example, even if a husband does not initially see a need as important, he should recognise its importance to his wife because they are one.

However, godly marriage should be based on the Word of God rather than cultural context or tradition. For example, giving should not be treated as a traditional obligation just because one family member lives in a wealthier country. Each case should be taken on its own merit. If there is a genuine financial need due to illness, support should be given if possible, but the approach must be examined to ensure it is beneficial to the person. Both partners must be ready to adjust to one another without compromising their principles.

The amount a person earns does not change the roles and responsibilities divinely assigned by God. Respect in a marriage is not something earned based on financial provision or salary. It is wrong to attach earning power to the level of respect given to a husband.

In a Christian marriage, resources are viewed as ‘our money’ rather than belonging to individuals. If a wife earns more, it should be viewed as a blessing rather than a reason for disrespect or a reversal of instituted roles. It is also noted that physical separation, such as spouses living in different countries for work, makes it more difficult to apply these spiritual principles and can lead to increased temptation.

A Christian covered by the blood of Jesus cannot have their life or career destroyed by witchcraft as a result of doing what is right and scriptural. You should not connect a personal disaster, such as losing a job, to the fact that a family member misused your gift for witchcraft. Adopting such a mindset incorrectly elevates the power of the devil over the status of a child of God.

If you give with all your heart, you have played your part and will receive a spiritual blessing. If negative circumstances follow, see them as God’s process of restructuring or elevation rather than a demonic attack on your finances. When dealing with such family members:

  • Provide Spiritual Help: Material help is only a surface solution; if a person is in spiritual bondage, no amount of money can break those chains. Back your giving with prayer for their salvation.
  • Release the Gift: Once you release a gift, it is no longer yours; it is over to the receiver to decide what they do with it.
  • Continue to Give: A family member’s misuse of a previous gift is not necessarily a reason to stop helping if they are in need. Your love for God should be the motivation for continued giving.
  • Create a Pathway: A material gift can be a tool to open a heart to the Gospel because they have seen the evidence of your love.

The instruction to honour parents is a clear commandment, and this may include providing financial or material support. However, support should not be demanded by parents, and the use of cursing or hurtful language when a child is unable to help is wrong and has no justification.

Scripturally, a person leaves their father and mother to build a new home, which becomes their primary responsibility. While you should help parents freely if you are in a position to do so, you should not give grudgingly or merely because it is demanded, as this robs the act of spiritual blessing. If you cannot help and wrong words are spoken against you:

  • Do Not Take Them to Heart: You belong to God, not to man. Your parents are guides, but God is your ultimate authority and Father.
  • Release Forgiveness: Do not harbour these hurtful words in your heart. You cannot control their response, but your response is your responsibility.
  • Correct with Truth: Honouring parents does not mean condoning sin or unscriptural responses. Pray for wisdom on how to speak the truth to them. Instead of bringing your own perspective, point them to the Word of God or share spiritual teachings to help them reach a place of understanding.

Excluding a spouse from financial management in favour of friends or extended family is a failure to follow godly processes. This lack of transparency will eventually hurt the home and bring negative consequences.

A wife in this situation should ask God for wisdom on how to help her husband understand his role. Sit down together and explain scripturally why transparency in finances is vital. If he remains unwilling to adjust, you must continue to pray for him and demonstrate the beauty of Christ through your own character and attitude. Back your communication with prayer and let your own life be a light that encourages him toward the right path.

Your Feedback

Please share with us some of the lessons you have learned from this fourth session, or any further questions that you have on the topic.

Other Sessions

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Sexual Purity & Self-control / Recreation without Contamination