Financial Literacy
April is Financial Literacy Month
Whether you're looking to build better financial habits, eliminate or avoid debt, plan for the future, or leave a lasting legacy, there are simple tools and resources created to help you grow in confidence and stewardship.
Check out the practical resources below:
Setting the Foundation
What if the way you handle money could deepen your faith—not just your finances?
Budgeting is a Vital Part of Faithful Stewardship
As we open our series on financial literacy, let’s first define the term. Financial literacy means understanding how money works—how to budget, save wisely, manage debt, invest responsibly, and give intentionally. Without this knowledge, even well-intentioned believers may struggle to steward their resources effectively. Scripture consistently affirms the value of wisdom and planning:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” — Proverbs 21:5
One of the most transformative truths in the Christian life is the realization that nothing we possess truly belongs to us. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that everything—our resources, abilities, time, opportunities, and even our very lives—ultimately belongs to God. Faithful stewardship begins when we recognize this reality and respond with gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.
Learning how to manage finances well allows believers to live with greater freedom and purpose. Instead of being burdened by debt or financial confusion, financially literate stewards are better equipped to provide for their families, support ministry, and respond generously when needs arise.
Financial literacy is not about accumulating wealth for its own sake. Rather, it equips us to manage God’s resources responsibly so that they can be used for His kingdom. When we understand how to steward money wisely, we become better positioned to give, bless others, and participate in God’s work in the world.
What is a Budget and Why is Budgeting Important?
A budget is a tool to broadly know where your money goes each month. The goal of a budget is to help you understand your fixed expenses (rent or mortgage, insurance, internet, etc.) and assess how you spend your remaining money. If you’ve never used a budget or tracked your spending, you may be in for some surprises! In our time of debit card spending and monthly subscriptions, it’s easy to spend money without being aware of how much you’re spending and on what. Dining out and entertainment can easily become financial black holes.
If you regularly find yourself short on funds toward the end of the month, a budget will help you track all your expenses, so you can see patterns and determine whether you need to make any spending changes.
Step 1:
Determine a general budget. Start with your net income (after taxes) and subtract your fixed costs. The remaining amount is what you have to spend on groceries, entertainment, gas, dry cleaning, dining out, savings, investing, giving, etc.
Step 2:
Track your spending. After a month, you will be able to see whether your spending was lower than or exceeded your income. After a couple of months, you’ll start to see patterns.
Step 3:
Once you have your spending information and can see where your dollars are going, it’s time to assess your situation. Are you making smart financial decisions? Are you outspending your income each month? Does your spending align with your values and financial goals? If not, start making changes so your spending patterns move closer to your values. This can be challenging, but quite meaningful.
Step 4:
Review and revise. Plan to review your budget every quarter to start, then semi-annually, and then annually. Also, it’s important to review your budget when life changes happen that will impact your spending. Starting a new job with a longer commute may impact your clothing budget and likely your transportation costs. Going from one income to two will likely improve your ability to save and give, just be mindful of how your spending changes, too.
Faith & Finance Perspective
Having a budget can give you financial peace of mind. But ultimately, stewardship is not about money alone. It is about living with open hands—holding everything loosely because we know it all belongs to God.
When we embrace this truth, generosity becomes not just something we do, but part of who we are. Faithful stewardship then becomes a joyful response to the grace we have received and a powerful way to participate in the work God is doing in the world.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” — Psalm 24:1
Take the next step
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1
Managing Debt
Debt may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your story.
The Quiet Creep of Debt
Debt rarely arrives with loud alarms. More often, it creeps in quietly—through small decisions, cultural pressure, and seemingly harmless conveniences. A credit card used for emergencies becomes a regular tool. A car payment replaces a paid-off vehicle. A small balance becomes a larger one. Over time, what once felt manageable can grow into a heavy burden.
Most people who struggle with debt did not wake up one day and decide to become financially trapped. Instead, it usually grows through gradual compromise:
“I’ll pay it off next month.”
“Everyone has a car payment.”
“I deserve this after working so hard.”
Modern culture normalizes borrowing. Financing is offered everywhere—from homes and cars to phones and furniture. Payments are framed in small monthly amounts rather than total cost. Because of this, it becomes easy to accumulate obligations without feeling the full weight of them.
Over time, however, these commitments begin to stack up. What once felt like manageable payments can slowly consume income, peace of mind, and flexibility.
From a Christian perspective, debt is more than a financial issue—it can become a spiritual obstacle. When unmanaged, it can slowly enslave the heart, restrict generosity, and limit a believer’s ability to follow God’s purposes with freedom. The Bible addresses this dynamic directly in Proverbs 22:7: “The borrower is servant to the lender.”
This verse does not say borrowing is automatically sinful, but it clearly warns about the power dynamic it creates. Debt places a form of control in the hands of another party. When payments dominate our finances, they begin to dictate our choices.
How Debt Enslaves the Heart
Debt can enslave people in several subtle but powerful ways:
It Creates Constant Pressure
Financial obligations bring stress. Many people live with a quiet, ongoing anxiety about bills, interest, and due dates. This pressure can affect marriages, sleep, and spiritual focus. Instead of living with peace, many believers carry financial worry that distracts them from trusting God.
It Limits Generosity
One of the clearest spiritual consequences of debt is its impact on generosity. Christians are called to give freely—to support ministry, help those in need, and advance the work of God’s kingdom. But when large portions of income are committed to lenders, generosity becomes difficult. Many believers say, “I would love to give more, but I can’t afford it.” Often the problem is not lack of income but lack of financial freedom.
It Reduces Flexibility to Follow God
God sometimes calls people to step out in faith—whether that means supporting a ministry, taking a lower-paying job that aligns with calling, helping family, or serving in missions. Debt can make obedience harder. When someone is financially stretched, even good opportunities may feel impossible. Instead of asking, “What does God want me to do?” people are forced to ask, “What can I afford to do?”
Practical Steps to Avoid Debt
Avoiding debt requires intentional habits. Here are several practical steps that help protect financial freedom.
Practice Contentment
Contentment is a powerful defense against unnecessary debt. When believers learn to be satisfied with what they have, they resist the constant pressure to upgrade their lifestyle. Contentment does not mean avoiding all progress—it means refusing to chase status or possessions that do not truly matter.
Live Below Your Means
One of the simplest financial principles is also one of the most powerful: spend less than you earn. This margin creates breathing room for savings, generosity, and future needs. Without margin, even small financial shocks can push people into borrowing.
Save for Emergencies
Many people go into debt because they are unprepared for unexpected expenses. Building an emergency fund—even a small one—can prevent reliance on credit cards or loans when life happens.
Delay Purchases
Time is a powerful filter for spending decisions. If you feel the urge to buy something expensive, wait. Give yourself days or weeks before making the decision. Often, the desire fades, revealing that the purchase was not truly necessary.
Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
When income increases, many people immediately increase spending. A better approach is to maintain your lifestyle while using the extra income to save, invest, give, or eliminate debt.
Practical Steps to Getting Out of Debt
For those already carrying debt, freedom is still possible. The process requires discipline and persistence, but many people have walked this road successfully.
1. Face the Numbers Honestly.
The first step is clarity. List every debt, including:
Total balance
Interest rate
Minimum payment
Seeing the full picture can feel intimidating, but it replaces fear with a clear starting point.
2. Create a Simple Budget.
A budget is simply a plan for your money. Assign every dollar a purpose—housing, food, transportation, giving, saving, and debt repayment. A clear plan prevents money from disappearing into small, unnoticed expenses. (See last week’s article for more information and links.) [Add link here.]
3. Focus on One Debt at a Time.
Many people use either the snowball method (paying off the smallest debt first) or the avalanche method (paying off the highest interest rate first). Both approaches work. The key is focus—attack one debt aggressively while making minimum payments on the others.
4. Increase the Gap Between Income and Spending.
Debt freedom accelerates when people increase the difference between what they earn and what they spend. This might involve:
Cutting unnecessary expenses
Selling unused items
Taking temporary extra work
Redirecting bonuses or tax refunds toward debt
These steps may feel uncomfortable in the short term, but they create long-term freedom.
5. Stay Spiritually Grounded.
Financial progress is not just about math—it is about the heart. Prayer, gratitude, and community support help believers stay focused on the bigger goal: living in freedom so they can serve God and others.
Faith & Finance Perspective
When believers are financially free, their lives become more flexible for God’s purposes. They can give generously. They can respond to needs quickly. They can pursue opportunities without being constrained by overwhelming obligations.
Financial freedom does not guarantee spiritual faithfulness, but it removes barriers that often limit it. Debt may creep in quietly, but freedom can grow steadily through wisdom, discipline, and trust in God.
And with each step toward freedom, believers move closer to a life marked not by financial bondage—but by generosity, peace, and purposeful stewardship.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” — Romans 13:8
Take the next step
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.
Romans 13:8
Planning Wisely for the Future
The choices you make today shape the opportunities you have tomorrow.
Budgeting is a Vital Part of Faithful Stewardship
As we open our series on financial literacy, let’s first define the term. Financial literacy means understanding how money works—how to budget, save wisely, manage debt, invest responsibly, and give intentionally. Without this knowledge, even well-intentioned believers may struggle to steward their resources effectively. Scripture consistently affirms the value of wisdom and planning:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” — Proverbs 21:5
One of the most transformative truths in the Christian life is the realization that nothing we possess truly belongs to us. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that everything—our resources, abilities, time, opportunities, and even our very lives—ultimately belongs to God. Faithful stewardship begins when we recognize this reality and respond with gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.
Learning how to manage finances well allows believers to live with greater freedom and purpose. Instead of being burdened by debt or financial confusion, financially literate stewards are better equipped to provide for their families, support ministry, and respond generously when needs arise.
Financial literacy is not about accumulating wealth for its own sake. Rather, it equips us to manage God’s resources responsibly so that they can be used for His kingdom. When we understand how to steward money wisely, we become better positioned to give, bless others, and participate in God’s work in the world.
What is a Budget and Why is Budgeting Important?
A budget is a tool to broadly know where your money goes each month. The goal of a budget is to help you understand your fixed expenses (rent or mortgage, insurance, internet, etc.) and assess how you spend your remaining money. If you’ve never used a budget or tracked your spending, you may be in for some surprises! In our time of debit card spending and monthly subscriptions, it’s easy to spend money without being aware of how much you’re spending and on what. Dining out and entertainment can easily become financial black holes.
If you regularly find yourself short on funds toward the end of the month, a budget will help you track all your expenses, so you can see patterns and determine whether you need to make any spending changes.
Step 1:
Determine a general budget. Start with your net income (after taxes) and subtract your fixed costs. The remaining amount is what you have to spend on groceries, entertainment, gas, dry cleaning, dining out, savings, investing, giving, etc.
Step 2:
Track your spending. After a month, you will be able to see whether your spending was lower than or exceeded your income. After a couple of months, you’ll start to see patterns.
Step 3:
Once you have your spending information and can see where your dollars are going, it’s time to assess your situation. Are you making smart financial decisions? Are you outspending your income each month? Does your spending align with your values and financial goals? If not, start making changes so your spending patterns move closer to your values. This can be challenging, but quite meaningful.
Step 4:
Review and revise. Plan to review your budget every quarter to start, then semi-annually, and then annually. Also, it’s important to review your budget when life changes happen that will impact your spending. Starting a new job with a longer commute may impact your clothing budget and likely your transportation costs. Going from one income to two will likely improve your ability to save and give, just be mindful of how your spending changes, too.
Faith & Finance Perspective
Having a budget can give you financial peace of mind. But ultimately, stewardship is not about money alone. It is about living with open hands—holding everything loosely because we know it all belongs to God.
When we embrace this truth, generosity becomes not just something we do, but part of who we are. Faithful stewardship then becomes a joyful response to the grace we have received and a powerful way to participate in the work God is doing in the world.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” — Psalm 24:1
Take the next step
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1
Equipping the Next Generation
What if the greatest financial gift you leave isn’t money—but wisdom?
Budgeting is a Vital Part of Faithful Stewardship
As we open our series on financial literacy, let’s first define the term. Financial literacy means understanding how money works—how to budget, save wisely, manage debt, invest responsibly, and give intentionally. Without this knowledge, even well-intentioned believers may struggle to steward their resources effectively. Scripture consistently affirms the value of wisdom and planning:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” — Proverbs 21:5
One of the most transformative truths in the Christian life is the realization that nothing we possess truly belongs to us. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that everything—our resources, abilities, time, opportunities, and even our very lives—ultimately belongs to God. Faithful stewardship begins when we recognize this reality and respond with gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.
Learning how to manage finances well allows believers to live with greater freedom and purpose. Instead of being burdened by debt or financial confusion, financially literate stewards are better equipped to provide for their families, support ministry, and respond generously when needs arise.
Financial literacy is not about accumulating wealth for its own sake. Rather, it equips us to manage God’s resources responsibly so that they can be used for His kingdom. When we understand how to steward money wisely, we become better positioned to give, bless others, and participate in God’s work in the world.
What is a Budget and Why is Budgeting Important?
A budget is a tool to broadly know where your money goes each month. The goal of a budget is to help you understand your fixed expenses (rent or mortgage, insurance, internet, etc.) and assess how you spend your remaining money. If you’ve never used a budget or tracked your spending, you may be in for some surprises! In our time of debit card spending and monthly subscriptions, it’s easy to spend money without being aware of how much you’re spending and on what. Dining out and entertainment can easily become financial black holes.
If you regularly find yourself short on funds toward the end of the month, a budget will help you track all your expenses, so you can see patterns and determine whether you need to make any spending changes.
Step 1:
Determine a general budget. Start with your net income (after taxes) and subtract your fixed costs. The remaining amount is what you have to spend on groceries, entertainment, gas, dry cleaning, dining out, savings, investing, giving, etc.
Step 2:
Track your spending. After a month, you will be able to see whether your spending was lower than or exceeded your income. After a couple of months, you’ll start to see patterns.
Step 3:
Once you have your spending information and can see where your dollars are going, it’s time to assess your situation. Are you making smart financial decisions? Are you outspending your income each month? Does your spending align with your values and financial goals? If not, start making changes so your spending patterns move closer to your values. This can be challenging, but quite meaningful.
Step 4:
Review and revise. Plan to review your budget every quarter to start, then semi-annually, and then annually. Also, it’s important to review your budget when life changes happen that will impact your spending. Starting a new job with a longer commute may impact your clothing budget and likely your transportation costs. Going from one income to two will likely improve your ability to save and give, just be mindful of how your spending changes, too.
Faith & Finance Perspective
Having a budget can give you financial peace of mind. But ultimately, stewardship is not about money alone. It is about living with open hands—holding everything loosely because we know it all belongs to God.
When we embrace this truth, generosity becomes not just something we do, but part of who we are. Faithful stewardship then becomes a joyful response to the grace we have received and a powerful way to participate in the work God is doing in the world.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” — Psalm 24:1
Take the next step
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1
From Literacy to Impact
When you apply what you’ve learned, your finances become a tool for Kingdom impact.
Budgeting is a Vital Part of Faithful Stewardship
As we open our series on financial literacy, let’s first define the term. Financial literacy means understanding how money works—how to budget, save wisely, manage debt, invest responsibly, and give intentionally. Without this knowledge, even well-intentioned believers may struggle to steward their resources effectively. Scripture consistently affirms the value of wisdom and planning:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” — Proverbs 21:5
One of the most transformative truths in the Christian life is the realization that nothing we possess truly belongs to us. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that everything—our resources, abilities, time, opportunities, and even our very lives—ultimately belongs to God. Faithful stewardship begins when we recognize this reality and respond with gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.
Learning how to manage finances well allows believers to live with greater freedom and purpose. Instead of being burdened by debt or financial confusion, financially literate stewards are better equipped to provide for their families, support ministry, and respond generously when needs arise.
Financial literacy is not about accumulating wealth for its own sake. Rather, it equips us to manage God’s resources responsibly so that they can be used for His kingdom. When we understand how to steward money wisely, we become better positioned to give, bless others, and participate in God’s work in the world.
What is a Budget and Why is Budgeting Important?
A budget is a tool to broadly know where your money goes each month. The goal of a budget is to help you understand your fixed expenses (rent or mortgage, insurance, internet, etc.) and assess how you spend your remaining money. If you’ve never used a budget or tracked your spending, you may be in for some surprises! In our time of debit card spending and monthly subscriptions, it’s easy to spend money without being aware of how much you’re spending and on what. Dining out and entertainment can easily become financial black holes.
If you regularly find yourself short on funds toward the end of the month, a budget will help you track all your expenses, so you can see patterns and determine whether you need to make any spending changes.
Step 1:
Determine a general budget. Start with your net income (after taxes) and subtract your fixed costs. The remaining amount is what you have to spend on groceries, entertainment, gas, dry cleaning, dining out, savings, investing, giving, etc.
Step 2:
Track your spending. After a month, you will be able to see whether your spending was lower than or exceeded your income. After a couple of months, you’ll start to see patterns.
Step 3:
Once you have your spending information and can see where your dollars are going, it’s time to assess your situation. Are you making smart financial decisions? Are you outspending your income each month? Does your spending align with your values and financial goals? If not, start making changes so your spending patterns move closer to your values. This can be challenging, but quite meaningful.
Step 4:
Review and revise. Plan to review your budget every quarter to start, then semi-annually, and then annually. Also, it’s important to review your budget when life changes happen that will impact your spending. Starting a new job with a longer commute may impact your clothing budget and likely your transportation costs. Going from one income to two will likely improve your ability to save and give, just be mindful of how your spending changes, too.
Faith & Finance Perspective
Having a budget can give you financial peace of mind. But ultimately, stewardship is not about money alone. It is about living with open hands—holding everything loosely because we know it all belongs to God.
When we embrace this truth, generosity becomes not just something we do, but part of who we are. Faithful stewardship then becomes a joyful response to the grace we have received and a powerful way to participate in the work God is doing in the world.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” — Psalm 24:1
Take the next step
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Psalm 24:1
Frequently Asked Questions
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Financial literacy is understanding how to manage money wisely—budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for the future.
The best place to start is simple:
Track your spending
Build a basic budget
Start saving consistently
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Focus on three essentials:
A consistent budget
An emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses)
A plan to reduce debt
These create stability and reduce financial stress.
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You should start investing as soon as possible.
Saving = short-term safety
Investing = long-term growth
The earlier you begin, the more you benefit from compound growth.
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Yes. A financial plan gives direction for your money today, while an estate plan ensures your wishes are carried out in the future.
Even a simple plan can:
Protect your family
Reduce confusion
Create long-term impact
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Start by identifying what matters most—your family, faith, and the impact you want to make.
Then align your spending, saving, and giving with those priorities. -
Some of the most effective strategies include:
Donating appreciated assets (like stocks)
Giving through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA
These can reduce taxes while increasing your impact.
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Often, appreciated assets like stocks are more tax-efficient than cash because they can:
Avoid capital gains tax
Provide a larger deduction
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A Donor-Advised Fund is a charitable giving account that allows you to make a contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then distribute gifts to charities over time.
You might consider a DAF if you:
Want to simplify and organize your giving
Have a higher-income year and want to maximize tax deductions
Plan to give consistently but not all at once
Want the option to invest your charitable funds for potential growth
It’s especially helpful for those who want to be more intentional and strategic with their generosity.
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You’re eligible for a QCD if:
You are age 70½ or older
You have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
The gift is made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity
QCDs are a powerful tool because the amount given is not counted as taxable income, and it can also help satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) if applicable.
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By using tax-smart strategies, you can redirect money that would have gone to taxes toward causes you care about.
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Yes, and in many cases, it’s one of the most tax-efficient ways to give.
There are two primary ways:
During your lifetime: Through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) if you’re eligible
After your lifetime: By naming a charity as a beneficiary of your retirement account
Because retirement accounts are often taxed heavily when passed to heirs, giving these assets to charity can reduce taxes and maximize your impact.
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Yes. Strategies like charitable trusts or gift annuities can:
Provide income
Reduce taxes
Support causes you care about
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You can include charitable giving in your:
Will or trust
Retirement account beneficiaries
Long-term financial plan
This allows your values to carry forward for generations.