Does Your Budget Reflect Your Priorities? with Brian Holtz

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” - Ephesians 5:17

That verse is a good reminder that to follow God's will, we must first know it for all areas of our lives—including finances. Brian Holtz joins us today with a question: Does your budget reflect God’s priorities or yours?

Brian Holtz is the Chief Operating Officer at Compass Financial Ministry and the author of Financial Discipleship for Families: Intentionally Raising Faithful Children.

Ownership vs. Stewardship 

One of the fundamental concepts of Christian finances is the distinction between ownership and stewardship. Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.” In 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, we learn that we are stewards or managers of God's resources, and as such, we must be faithful to His goals and priorities rather than our own.

God’s Priorities for Money 

Scripture reveals five critical priorities for managing our finances in a way that honors God:

1. Generosity—There are over 300 verses about giving and generosity. We are encouraged to give our first and best, never the leftovers.
2. Providing for Family—1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes the importance of providing for our families, stating that neglecting this responsibility is akin to denying the faith.
3. Meeting Financial Obligations—Romans 13 urges us to meet our financial obligations, including paying taxes and repaying debts, reflecting our commitment as representatives of Jesus.
4. Saving for the Future—Responsible saving is crucial to being faithful to the first three priorities during times of hardship or insufficient income.
5. Enjoying God’s Blessings—While enjoying God's blessings, we must ensure that this enjoyment does not take precedence over His greater priorities.

Aligning Our Budget with God’s Priorities 

If our budget isn't aligned with God's priorities, we need to admit our mistakes to God and recommit to His goals. As a family, we should make financial trades to align our budget lines with God’s priorities.

• Generosity: What abundance could we cut back on to be more generous?
• Provision: Are we saving too much at the expense of our family's immediate needs?
• Debt Repayment: What could we stop doing to pay off debt faster?
• Enjoyment: Once priorities are in order, how can we honor God by enjoying His blessings?

Aligning our finances with God's priorities honors Him and brings a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

You can learn more about biblical money management by visiting the Learn section at CompassFinancialMinistry.org. You can find resources suited to your preferred learning methods, whether reading, watching, or listening.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I love the idea of the QCD, and I know they work with IRAs. Do they work with 403b accounts?
• I used to have investments but had some high veterinary bills, and I'm on disability. I'm trying to get an emergency fund, but every month, I have to use the money I put aside. I need some encouragement on how to get his emergency fund because that's the first step I have to do.
• Is a reverse mortgage a good idea? Would we lose ownership of our home if we did this?
• I'm looking forward to starting a business and would like to know if I should open it as an LLC or an S corporation.
• I have my will and everything specified in it, including how things are divided regarding my house, estate, etc. I also have investments, and those are all I have beneficiaries on. My financial advisor says that I don't need a trust, but my kids are pushing me to get a trust to avoid probate. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Compass Financial Ministry
• Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan, J.D. 
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.