Dollars & Sense – Keeping Money in Its Place, Pt. 3 – Priorities
We’re continuing our series titled “Dollars & Sense: Keeping Money in Its Place.” Today, we will talk about how we decide where our money should go.
The reality is that many of the problems we encounter in life occur when we don’t prioritize money correctly.
Here’s the good news: The more we experience Jesus, the better He supports us in maintaining stability — even in our finances.
Jesus didn’t shy away from discussing money and stewardship, and neither should we. One-third of the parables in the gospels address this topic.
We’ve examined the New Testament standard for giving from 2 Cor. 9:6-7,
“6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” NLT
Although we are not instructed to give a specific amount, we are encouraged to be generous and intentional in giving back to the Lord for Kingdom purposes. In fact, the scriptures suggest that those who are generous will prosper!
We also saw that 1 Tim. 6:10 NIV “Keeping our lives free from the love of money” starts with our hearts. Twentieth-century pastor and author A.W. Tozer said,
“You can blame circumstances, but backsliding always begins in the heart.”
This includes allowing greed and covetousness to infiltrate our lives.
Our key verse again today is Matthew 6:24,
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” NLT
If we let money control us, we will eventually begin to despise God.
So, the question today is: What should we do with money? How do we prioritize where we put money?
Money: A Necessary Tool
Let’s clarify this first: money is necessary. We all (hopefully) have some. Even items labeled as “free,” like free Wi-Fi, aren’t completely free—someone pays for it.
Let’s be clear: lacking money doesn’t necessarily make you more Christ-like. Jesus Himself had a treasurer to manage the funds. He wore a seamless robe worth enough that soldiers cast lots for it. As a child, wise men brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Poverty was never God’s intention for His people. In fact, poverty is listed as part of the curse for disobeying the Law in Deuteronomy:
“…in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty…” Deut. 28:45, 48 NKJV
Jesus said that “He came to give life and to give it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV
Recall from last week: Psalm 24:1 states,
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” NLT
God is the rightful owner—we own nothing. Our attitude should be, “God, it’s all yours—my life, my finances, my family, my career, my business, etc.” When you can surrender control of your money and possessions to the Lord, you give Him the right to multiply them for His purposes in your life.
Stewardship is the responsible management of resources that belong to someone else. Essentially, a steward is a person who cares for, supervises, and directs resources that do not belong to them but to someone else, always protecting the owner’s interests. Properly managed resources should increase in value or benefit when they are returned to the owner.
Surrendering control of our finances and what God has entrusted to us does not mean forfeiting responsibility. Rather, we manage well what the Lord has put in our care.
Does God own everything, or do you? If God owns everything, then He is responsible for providing for you. Biblical stewardship is based on the principle of God’s abundance and plenty — we share His resources! That said, we must manage and prioritize our money wisely.
God is actually using the physical things of this earth and the world system to test, train, and prepare us for our eternal purpose of ruling and reigning in His Kingdom. Your time, treasure, and talent belong to God; use them wisely!
God gave Israel, and us today, the ability to earn a living and acquire wealth. A key concern with money and wealth is the attitude of the heart, which influences how we handle what we are entrusted with.
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish (confirm) His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deut. 8:18 NKJV
The English word power in this verse comes from a Hebrew word, koach, which means divine ability or empowerment.
Who grants us strength, power, and the ability to earn wealth? God does. He expects us to use the time, treasures, and talents He has entrusted to us for His kingdom purposes. So money itself is not the problem. Just like anything else in life, we can use it in godly or ungodly ways.
Here are four biblical principles for managing money: Earn it, Give it, Save it, Spend it.
Each can be practiced in a godly or ungodly way.
Earn It
Godly way: Proverbs 14:23 NIV adds,
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Again, who gives us the power to make wealth? God! (Deut. 8:18)
Work is not a curse; it’s a blessing. God gives us ability, strength, creativity, and opportunity so that we can earn income.
Could God miraculously drop money into our laps? Of course! But more often, He provides us with skills and expects us to use them. God is the creator of a strong work ethic.
Ungodly attitude: Scripture has much to say about dishonest gain and exploiting others. But today, I want to focus on the mindset of entitlement — expecting everyone else to take care of me.
Paul writes in 2 Thess. 3:10-12,
“10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.” NIV
Remember the parable of the servants or talents, Matt. 25:14-30. Jesus teaches that we should work or manage well what we have been given.
Christianity is not pure socialism. Perhaps it’s better to say, ‘compassionate capitalism.’
God reminds us to show kindness and support to those who are truly in need, such as the poor, widows, and orphans, especially during difficult times. However, this doesn’t mean we have to give to everyone who asks. It’s important to be generous, but also wise and cautious to avoid being taken advantage of.
Give It
I love what Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey says: “Money is a lot like manure. Left in one big pile, it starts to stink. But when you spread it around, things start to grow.”
The world teaches: earn money, keep it, and spend it on yourself. However, in God’s Kingdom, we are instructed to give a portion of what we earn.
Godly way: Prov. 3:9-10 NLT says,
“9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
Prov. 11:25 states “The generous will prosper…” NLT
Honoring God involves offering Him our first fruits—the top portion of our earnings, not leftovers. Often, we tend to prioritize other things and only give God what’s remaining at the end. However, God never offers us His leftovers.
Even if you’ve tithed faithfully for years, it’s good to ask: “Am I still giving God my very best, or have I slipped into autopilot?”
In Matthew 6:1-2, we are advised not to give in order to be noticed by others. Jesus explains that if you give merely to seek human praise, you have already gained your reward — the approval of people — and that’s it. True giving should aim to honor God rather than enhance our personal reputation.
Save It
Godly way: Saving is not a lack of faith. It’s wisdom.
Proverbs 30:25 says,
“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” NIV
Even financial counselors who don’t follow Jesus teach a version of the “10/10/80 rule” — give 10%, save 10%, live on 80%. Saving creates margin and helps you prepare for emergencies. It’s not unspiritual to set something aside.
Think about this: investing $1000 in an S&P ETF and contributing $100 monthly, with a 12% annual return, would make your fund worth $95,700 in 20 years. Over 30 years, it could grow to $317,600!
Young people, I urge you, start saving and investing now!
A few years ago, I met a man in his early 40s at a golf course. He was leaving his job after investing in stocks based on advice from an older member. He planned to spend more time with his family and work some simple part-time jobs, as his smart investments at a young age had put him in a strong financial position.
Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of people who didn’t plan for retirement because they believed Jesus would return soon. As a result, they weren’t prepared for their later years or retirement.
To clarify, Jesus will return; the exact time is unknown. Live righteously as if He might come soon, but also plan ahead, keeping in mind you might live a long life.
Ungodly way: The ungodly way is hoarding—accumulating wealth and trusting in it. It is driven by fear, not faith.
Prov. 11:28 says,
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” NIV
Prov. 18:10-11 states,
“10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.” NKJV
Mark 10:24 reminds us how difficult it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom. The rich young ruler’s problem wasn’t that he had money; it was that his money had control over him.
So how much is too much? Whatever amount shifts your trust from Jesus to your bank account.
Spend It
Godly way:
Pay your bills — on time. That’s part of your Christian witness.
Make a budget — if you don’t tell your money what to do, someone else will.
Take care of your family. 1 Tim. 5:8 NIV says if someone doesn’t provide for their family, they’ve denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
Godly spending is responsible, planned, and relational. It cares for the people who matter most.
There are free or low-cost budgeting tools available that can assist, such as Quicken Simplifi.
Ungodly way: Proverbs 10:16 says,
“The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.” NLT
Wasting money on foolish or sinful pursuits is ungodly spending. Why would God grant us more if we are using what we already have to harm ourselves? But God is rich in mercy.
Remember the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15? The Father showed mercy to him despite his reckless living and spending!
Conclusion
So, what should we do with money? Earn it, give it, save it, spend it—all in a righteous way.
And wherever you are today, God wants to help you.
If you need a new job or a higher income, pray and ask Him to open doors.
If you find it difficult to be generous, ask Him to soften and enlarge your heart.
If you need wisdom in saving or spending, ask Him to guide your decisions.
The point is not to fear money or idolize it, but to keep it in its proper place. Money is a tool. When used in God’s way, it can be a blessing. When misused, it can become a curse.
So, let’s choose to make Jesus Lord of everything — even our finances. Let’s work diligently, give happily, save wisely, and spend responsibly.
Stewardship Prayer:
Father, I ask for Your grace to better manage my finances. Please guide me in finding a job or increasing my earning potential. Help me to be generous and to give for Your kingdom purposes. Teach me to save a portion of what I earn diligently, and to budget wisely so I live within my means. I pray for a spirit of gratitude and contentment with what You have provided. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
