Having The Mind of Christ in Your Finances

Dec 2, 2024

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Did you know that as a believer in Jesus, you already have what it takes to make wise financial decisions? The Bible tells us that Christians “have the mind of Christ.” But what does this mean for managing money and possessions? Let’s explore how adopting Jesus’ perspective can transform our financial decisions and bring us closer to God’s purpose for our lives.

Understanding the Mind of Christ

Having the mind of Christ means seeing the world—and our finances—through Jesus’ perspective. As Christians, we aim to serve, think, and love like Him in every area of life, including how we handle money. One practical way to apply this is by asking, “What would Jesus do in this financial situation?”

The Bible emphasizes the vastness of God’s wisdom. Isaiah 40:13 reminds us of His unmatched understanding:

“Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord or instruct the Lord as his counselor?”

Yet in 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul tells us something remarkable:

“But we have the mind of Christ.”

Through Jesus, we’re no longer limited to worldly thinking. Instead, we’re empowered to manage our resources with godly wisdom, aligning our financial decisions with His eternal purposes.

Bridging the Gap: Jesus as Our Guide

So, how do we gain this wisdom? The answer lies in Jesus, who bridges the gap between our limited understanding and God’s perfect knowledge. Jesus came to restore us to God and bring clarity to the confusion caused by sin.

When we follow Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit, we gain a clearer understanding of God’s plan for our lives—including how to steward our money. This perspective frees us from the worldly mindset that often prioritizes wealth and possessions over faith and trust in God.

It’s easy to slip back into managing money with a “worldly mind,” focusing on solving problems or planning for the future without seeking God’s perspective. When we separate our finances from our faith, we risk missing the opportunity to honor God in this crucial area of life.

God cares about every part of our lives, including how we earn, spend, save, and give. He invites us to trust Him fully and integrate our financial decisions into our relationship with Him.

Growing in Relationship with God

To embrace the mind of Christ, we must deepen our relationship with God. In John 14:11, Jesus said:

“I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.”

Jesus modeled reliance on God’s wisdom and strength, and the same is true for us. Drawing closer to Him gives us the guidance and resilience needed to make godly financial decisions.

This doesn’t mean financial challenges will disappear, but it does mean we’re not alone. God is actively working in and through us. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us:

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Living with the Mind of Christ in Finances

What does it look like to manage finances with the mind of Christ? Here are three key principles:

Align Your Attitudes and Actions with Christ—Seek to honor God in every financial decision.
Rely on God’s Strength—Trust His guidance when faced with financial challenges or temptations.
Resist Worldly Influences—Stand firm against cultural pressures that prioritize money over faith.

Grace in the Journey

None of us will get it right every time. Mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey. But the good news is that God’s grace is sufficient. As 1 John 1:9 assures us:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

When we stumble, let it be an opportunity to draw closer to God and realign our finances with His will. Remember, you have the mind of Christ. This truth empowers you to reject the world’s approach to money and manage your resources in ways that honor Him.

Having the mind of Christ in your finances means trusting God’s wisdom and provision in every decision. By seeking His guidance, we can manage money with faith, purpose, and confidence. Let this truth encourage you to view your finances not as a separate part of your life but as an integral way to glorify God.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

My husband and I had about $40,000 in credit card debt a few years ago and barely got by. I heard about Christian Credit Counselors on the radio, so I called. They were able to lower our $1,600 monthly credit card payments down to $925. We then used some money from my mother's passing to pay it off early, and we are now completely debt-free. It feels incredible to be debt-free. I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to call Christian Credit Counselors—they were very helpful in lowering our payments so we could pay them off.
I've been trying to pay off about $50,000 in student loan debt. I've heard that after 20 years, they'll review the debt and potentially forgive the remaining balance. Is that true? Also, I consider myself a generous giver, donating weekly to various organizations. Should I reduce my giving to pay off the student loans faster? I'm struggling to balance being generous and paying down this debt.
My husband and I are selling a cabin and a pontoon boat. I'm assuming we should tithe on the proceeds from those sales. Is that correct? Also, if I need to tithe on the sale, should I give that 10% to my church specifically, or can I split it up and give it to other organizations, like pro-life groups or ministries like yours?
My credit score was 768, but it recently dropped significantly. I didn't see any new credit applications or late payments on my report, but I think some credit card companies may have been making inquiries. How can I investigate the reason for the drop? Is there a way to stop credit card companies from making these inquiries if that's the cause?

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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