What does God want me to do with my finances?

This is a question I have asked myself repeatedly over the last several years.

It’s also a question I’ve heard from clients again and again.

And for a long time, it felt like no one—myself included—had a clear answer.

That uncertainty is exactly why I’m writing this.

Over the last two years, I’ve been on a personal and spiritual quest to answer this question honestly: What does financial planning look like as a disciple of Jesus—especially in the later seasons of life?

I’ve read book after book, listened to podcast after podcast, prayed prayer after prayer, and spent countless hours in Scripture. Did you know there are over 2,500 verses in the Bible that directly address money and wealth? It is one of the most discussed topics in all of Scripture—if not the most discussed.

So why is money often the last thing we want to surrender to God?

Why do we trust Him with our eternity, but hesitate to trust Him with our checking account?

My hope is that this article provides clarity, encouragement, and biblical guardrails for how God desires us to manage money—especially as Christian men and women approaching or living in retirement.

Key Takeaways

• Biblical stewardship starts with the right perspective. God owns everything, and we are called to manage money in a way that honors Him through giving, saving, spending wisely, and avoiding unnecessary debt.
• Most financial struggles are rooted in mindset, not knowledge. Shifting from ownership to stewardship—and replacing fear, impulse, and cultural pressure with faith and discipline—changes everything.
• You don’t need a perfect plan to start, just intentional steps. Prayer, small acts of generosity, simple saving habits, and wise guardrails can lead to greater clarity, confidence, and long-term peace.

A Simple Biblical Framework for Managing Money

As I’ve wrestled with this question personally—and walked through it with clients—one thing has become clear: while the Bible doesn’t give us a line-by-line financial plan, it does give us a clear framework.

Not a complicated one. But a powerful one.

If you’re looking for a simple way to begin aligning your finances with your faith, it often comes back to four core principles:

1. Give first (honor God)
2. Save wisely (prepare for the future)
3. Spend intentionally (live within your means)
4. Avoid unnecessary debt (protect your freedom)

#1 – Give First (Honor God)

Before anything else, we are called to put God first—not just in our time, but in our finances. Giving shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship and reminds us who truly provides.

#2 – Save Wisely (Prepare for the Future)

Scripture encourages planning and preparation. Saving is not a lack of faith—it’s an act of wisdom that allows you to care for your family and navigate the future with stability.

#3 – Spend Intentionally (Live Within Your Means)

Every dollar has a purpose. When we spend with intention, we begin to align our daily decisions with our values instead of drifting into habits shaped by culture.

#4 – Avoid Unnecessary Debt (Protect Your Freedom)

Debt has a way of limiting both financial flexibility and spiritual peace. While not all debt is inherently wrong, wisdom calls us to approach it carefully and avoid letting it control our lives.

Common Financial Mistakes Christians Make

Once you begin to understand these principles, another question naturally follows: Where do we tend to get this wrong?

If I’m being honest, many of the biggest financial challenges I’ve faced—and seen in the lives of others—don’t come from a lack of knowledge. They come from subtle patterns and beliefs that slowly pull us off course.

Not overnight. But over time.

Here are a few of the most common mistakes we can make financially as Christians:

• Treating money as “mine,” not God’s: It’s easy to fall into the mindset that because we earned it, we own it. But Scripture reminds us that everything we have is entrusted to us by God. When we lose sight of that, our decisions tend to follow our desires rather than His direction.
• Giving leftovers instead of giving first: Many people have good intentions to give, but it happens at the end of the month, if there’s anything left. Over time, this reinforces a mindset where God gets what remains, rather than what comes first.
• Avoiding generosity out of fear: “I’ll give when I have more” or “I just need to get through this season first.” These thoughts are incredibly common—and completely understandable. But fear-based thinking can quietly delay obedience and keep us from experiencing the freedom that generosity brings.
• Using debt to fund a lifestyle we can’t sustain: We live in a culture that constantly encourages more: more upgrades, more convenience, more now. Debt can make that possible in the short term, but often at the cost of long-term peace and flexibility.
• Saving without purpose, or not saving at all: Some people avoid saving because they feel it reflects a lack of trust in God. Others save aggressively, but without a clear purpose or plan. Biblical stewardship calls for balance—preparing wisely while still holding everything with open hands.

If you see yourself in any of these, you’re not alone. Most of us have walked through at least one of these patterns at some point.

And as you continue reading, we’ll begin to unpack how each of these patterns can be replaced with something better—through generosity, wise planning, and a renewed perspective on money.

God Wants You to Be a Generous Giver

One of the most impactful books I’ve read in recent years is Giving It All Away …And Getting It All Back Again by David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby.

In it, Green reflects on how God reshaped his heart toward generosity while building one of the most successful private companies in America. One quote that deeply impacted me was this:

“God’s command to give is not a transactional formula. I believe, instead, that God notices generosity and helps givers keep on growing and giving.”

This idea runs directly against our culture—but aligns perfectly with Scripture.

Early in my faith journey, I believed many lies about money:

• “I work hard for this—I deserve to spend it how I want.”

• “I can’t afford to tithe. I’m barely getting by.”

These lies quietly create distance between us and God.

But here’s what I’ve learned—and what I’ve seen proven repeatedly in the lives of faithful believers: generosity is not about affordability; it’s about obedience and trust.

When we begin viewing our finances as disciples of Jesus—not consumers shaped by culture—everything changes.

God Owns It All. Period.

When you truly accept this truth, financial stress begins to loosen its grip.

When we pray, “Lord, I turn everything over to You so I can steward what You’ve entrusted to me,” we are no longer striving to control outcomes—we’re inviting God to lead every decision.

Yet studies show that only about 5% of churchgoers tithe regularly, and most give far below the biblical standard. This is not meant to shame—it’s meant to wake us up.

God doesn’t call most of us to sell everything and wander the earth. Many of us are called to work, build, save, invest, and provide for our families. But that calling does not exempt us from generosity.

So how much should you give?

The honest answer is: it depends.

Scripture repeatedly references giving the first 10%, along with freewill offerings. I often encourage families to think in terms of 10–25% generosity guardrails, while prayerfully discerning what God is asking of them.

As 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give… for God loves a cheerful giver.”

What Scripture does not support is giving God leftovers at the end of the month.

A practical starting point?
Begin at 5%, then increase giving gradually—1% at a time—while praying for wisdom and obedience.

What Does God Say About Debt?

Proverbs 22:7 is direct:

“The borrower is slave to the lender.”

Debt has become a modern epidemic—and one of the greatest barriers to faithful stewardship.

We are constantly being sold the idea that more stuff equals more happiness. But most of us know how that story ends: temporary excitement followed by long-term payments and regret.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently.

Ephesians 4:22–24 reminds us to put off old patterns and renew our minds.

Your worth is not found in your home, your car, or your job title. When we anchor our identity in Christ, it becomes far easier to resist unnecessary spending.

A practical habit I encourage: pray for 24–48 hours before any purchase over $500. That pause alone can save years of financial stress.

Not all debt is inherently sinful—homes, education, and business growth often require borrowing. But every financial decision should be filtered through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel.

If you’re battling debt today, hear this clearly: you are not alone. Many of us—including myself—have walked through seasons of financial correction. God is patient, gracious, and faithful to guide you forward.

What Does God Say About Saving and Retirement?

Proverbs 6:6–8 encourages us to learn from the ant—preparing wisely for the future.

Saving is not a lack of faith. It is biblical stewardship.

For most households, saving 10–20% of income creates healthy guardrails, though every plan is unique. Factors like Social Security, pensions, and healthcare costs must be considered—especially for Christians ages 50–65 approaching retirement.

Employer retirement plans, matching contributions, emergency savings, and long-term investment strategies all play an important role.

The key? Just start.

Whether it’s $100 a month or a 3% retirement contribution, consistency matters far more than perfection.

How to Start Managing Your Money God’s Way

At this point, you might be thinking: This all makes sense—but where do I actually begin?

The good news is, you don’t need a perfect plan to get started. You just need a willing heart and a few intentional steps in the right direction.

Here’s a simple, straightforward way to begin:

1. Pray over your finances: Before changing anything, invite God into the process. Ask for wisdom, clarity, and the discipline to follow through. Stewardship starts with surrender.
2. Review your current spending: Take an honest look at where your money is going today. Not to judge yourself—but to understand your habits. Awareness is often the first step toward change.
3. Start giving, even if it’s small: Don’t wait until everything feels “in order.” Begin with what you can, and grow from there. Generosity builds trust and helps reorient your priorities over time.
4. Build a simple savings habit: It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small and stay consistent. Over time, this creates stability and gives you margin for the unexpected.
5. Create guardrails for spending: Set simple boundaries that help you stay aligned with your values—whether that’s a budget, a waiting period before large purchases, or limits in certain categories.
6. Seek wise, faith-based counsel: You don’t have to figure this out alone. Surround yourself with people who can offer both financial insight and biblical perspective.

As you begin taking even small steps in faith, you may be surprised how quickly clarity starts to replace confusion, and how your finances begin to feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity to honor God.

Faithful Stewardship Leads to Peace

So—what does God want you to do with your finances?

He wants you to trust Him, honor Him, and steward wisely what He has entrusted to you.

He wants generosity before consumption.
Wisdom before impulse.
Peace instead of fear.

Financial stewardship isn’t about rules—it’s about relationship.

When your money aligns with your faith, clarity replaces chaos. Stress gives way to peace. And your finances begin supporting—not competing with—your walk with Christ.

If you’re unsure where to begin, seek wise, faith-based counsel. And if you’re looking for guidance rooted in both biblical truth and practical financial planning, that’s exactly what we aim to provide at Full of Grace Financial Planning. Invite God into every part of your financial life—not just the comfortable parts.

Because when He truly has your heart, your money will follow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the Bible say about managing money?

The Bible teaches that money is something we are called to steward, not own. Throughout Scripture, we see consistent themes of generosity, wise planning, avoiding unnecessary debt, and honoring God first. Ultimately, managing money God’s way is less about a perfect system and more about aligning your financial decisions with your faith.

Can Christians be wealthy and still honor God?

Yes, Christians can have wealth and still honor God, but it comes down to the posture of the heart. Money itself isn’t the problem; it’s how we view it, trust it, and use it. When wealth is held with open hands and used to serve God and others, it can become a powerful tool rather than a distraction.

How do I balance trusting God with planning for the future?

Balancing trust in God with financial planning means recognizing that wisdom and faith are not in conflict. Scripture encourages preparation and stewardship, while also reminding us that God is our ultimate provider. Planning responsibly, while holding those plans loosely, allows you to move forward with both confidence and dependence on Him.

How can I start managing my money God’s way?

Starting to manage your money God’s way begins with inviting Him into your finances and taking a few intentional steps forward. That might look like reviewing your spending, beginning to give, building a simple savings habit, and creating guardrails for your decisions. You don’t need to have everything figured out—you just need to start moving in the right direction.