Helping Those Who Struggle test

Welcome to The Bible Money Journal, a brief for Christian professionals who want to learn more about God’s ways of managing money. In each edition, I share a verse, a story, and a money lesson to help you in your journey.

This brief is a resource for navigating the scriptures through the lens of financial planning and learning how to apply them in your life.

Let’s get started!

Leviticus 25:35-38
35 “If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you. 36 Do not charge interest or make a profit at his expense. Instead, show your fear of God by letting him live with you as your relative. 37 Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him or make a profit on food you sell him. 38 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

Today, I want to share a valuable lesson from the book of Leviticus that has profound implications. This passage offers timeless wisdom about lending, generosity, and financial responsibility. I will explain the key principles from these verses in plain language, showing you how they can be applied to financial planning.

Key Principles

Leading with Compassion – The message is clear: when you have the means to help someone who is struggling financially, do so with an open heart.

Avoid Charging Excessive Interest – The verses in Leviticus also caution against charging excessive interest rates when lending money to those in need. This principle emphasizes fairness and equity in financial transactions.

Financial Stewardship – Leviticus encourages us to view our wealth from a lens of stewardship. Everything we have is ultimately a gift, and we are responsible for managing it wisely. This concept aligns perfectly with the core principles of financial planning.

When crafting your financial plan, think about how you can be a good steward of your resources. Are you budgeting effectively, saving for your future, and preparing for unforeseen circumstances? Are you caring for those around you? A well-structured financial plan allows you to honor the principle of stewardship by ensuring your resources are managed wisely and in line with your values.

Generosity and Charitable Giving

Generosity is a recurring theme in the Bible, and Leviticus reinforces this by encouraging us to assist those in need. It's about leading with compassion and giving generously when you have the means to do so. Charitable giving can be an integral part of your financial planning.

As a Christian, you may already be accustomed to tithing or giving to charitable causes. Your financial plan should include provisions for charitable giving as a way to express your faith and make a positive impact on the world. You fulfill the biblical principle of generosity and charity by allocating a portion of your wealth to charitable endeavors.

Conclusion

In closing, the wisdom contained in Leviticus 25:35-38 offers invaluable guidance for your financial journey. Remember the importance of compassion, fairness, stewardship, generosity, and responsible debt management as you make financial decisions. By aligning your financial practices with these biblical principles, you can honor your faith while securing a brighter financial future for yourself and your loved ones.

If you have any questions or want to discuss how these principles can be tailored to your financial situation, please don't hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create a financial plan that reflects your faith and values while working toward your financial goals.

Leo Marte is a Christian financial advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Abundant Advisors provides financial advice for Christians with convenient virtual meetings. Let’s talk if you are ready to make the next move.