Here is what I consider the 4 Levels of Christian Finance
0 – Not Christian
God says if you fail to provide for your own household that you are not a christian.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Level 1 – Hungry
No one wants to be hungry but unfortunately some Christians end up here.
Psalms 107:5
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Proverbs 27:7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Level 2 – Debt
As Christians we are obligated to pay our debts so we should make wise decisions on how much and for what we borrow.
Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Ultimately as Christians we should not be in debt and should strive to get out of it as soon as possible.
Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Work
It is good to work for it will get you out of Level 1 and 2
Proverbs 12:14
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
Before looking into Levels 3 and 4 make sure you don’t work too much.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Level 3 – Investing
I believe that investing and giving go hand in hand. If you are able to invest you are able to give and if you are able to give you are able to invest.
Ecclesiastes 11:6
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
What as Christians should we be investing in
Proverbs 23:23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Make sure not to invest too much and to invest for the right reasons, like making sure you can provide for your household even in retirement.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
1 Timoty 6:8
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Level 4 – Giving
2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
This is why we should want to give cheerfully, we are investing for ourselves eternally as well as blessing others.
Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.