One problem I struggle with is how much money I should keep tucked away. There are many verses that indicate saving up money is a bad practice for the heart (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:24). And yet, there are also many verses that state saving money is wise (Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 21:20).
As a man concerned about providing and security, saving is a no-brainer. But as a Christian trying to prioritize my character, I don’t know which view is best.
Yet, the other day as I thought about saving money, I thought that maybe the Bible’s view of saving is different than how our culture defines saving.
Our culture defines saving as securing money to do the things you want. But as I read the Bible more and more on the topic of money, I’m beginning to realize that the Bible’s concept of saving is about gathering money so you can give.
Think about it: saving money that you don’t give away is hoarding. But saving money you do intend to give toward the right things is shrewd.
Basically, the Bible doesn’t want us to sit on our money, doing nothing but accumulating more and more of it. It wants to change our character so we can value giving money toward the right things.
Saving isn’t bad when you plan to give it toward something beautiful and good.
But unfortunately, there’s a thin line between good and greedy when it comes to saving money
Here are some ways you can save your money and keep your heart in check:
1. Be honest about what you need
Luxuries are sometimes difficult to spot in our budget. We can oftentimes assume they’re necessities because they provide us with comfort in busy, hectic days. But if we’re truly honest, we’ll admit we don’t need them.
The thing about spending for luxuries is that the luxuries mostly serve us. When we only spend to serve us, we approach the line of greediness. But when we’re honest about what we need, and cut out the excess, then we can save for the purposes of giving to others.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t indulge in comforts at all. Just be sure you’re not giving a bulk of your money to making yourself more comfort. Be honest about what’s necessary.
2. Build buffers for giving
Don’t be surprised by expenses that randomly show up at your doorstep. Instead, build buffers in your budget so if a person has a need, you can provide for them.
If you don’t prepare, then you’ll never give. But if you add a buffer, or a padding that doesn’t allow expenses to ram right into you, then you’ll be more apt to give.
3. Don’t give if you don’t have the heart
What’s worse than not giving is giving out of the wrong heart. If you’re doing it because you feel obligated or you want to appear better, then you’re not really doing it.
I acknowledge that I sometimes give because I feel guilty if I don’t. So as a result, I made a declaration that I’m only going to give if I’m doing it out of joy. Let this be your measure for giving. And if you never feel joy in giving, draw back and ask God what underlying insecurities are preventing you from giving.
4. Assess what’s important to give to
Like I said before, a good saving strategy saves for the right reasons. It is a medium for service, spending for healthy, life-giving things.
But if you’re going to save without being greedy, then you need to establish what these important things are.
Without naming your giving priorities, you won’t give. You’ll instead assume yourself as being on the top of your own list. Assess what’s important to give to, and save with these things in mind.