Eric Schrum | On September 11, 2020

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• Christian’s can need to invest more.

Most people don’t understand how expensive life gets when you add 10, 15, 20 years of inflation to your current cost of living. I fully believe in trusting God to provide for us, but God gives us wisdom on how to best utilize the resources he has provisioned us with. Saving for the future is a big part of that. Consider Proverbs 6:6-8 “Consider the ant, you sluggard; consider it’s ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it’s provisions in summer and gathers it’s food at harvest.”

God has told us we must save for the future if we want to be wise stewards of what he’s given us! The best way to save for the “harvest” is through consistent, diversified, low-cost investing over a long period of time. Follow the ant’s example!

• Christian’s can give more away.

I was shocked when I found out Christians in America only give 2.5 percent of their income away per year. Our old testament counterparts gave at least a tenth of their income away through the tithe and they had not experienced the free gift of grace we have received through Christ. In the book “The Paradox of Generosity,” the authors found that people who were generous in giving away their resources were happier, healthier, and more resilient than those who were not generous in their giving. Maybe Jesus was on to something when he told us it was more blessed to give than to receive.

• Christians can gain financial literacy.

Four times Thomas Jefferson wrote in correspondence “Knowledge is power.” Perhaps one of the most powerful things anyone, especially a Christian, can do to win with money is learn basic investing and financial terms. To start, learn how a 401k works, the difference between a Roth & Traditional IRA, and the miracle of compounding returns over time.

• Christians can go to scripture for practical wisdom with their finances.

I’m always amused when I hear someone say the Bible is an outdated book, when in fact the Bible might be the greatest money and finance book ever written. The best part of the Bible when it comes to money is its straightforward on concrete tips you can take action on right now. Some examples: Give generously (2 Cor. 9:6-8), avoid the use of debt (Prov. 22:7), set long-term goals (Phil 3:14), and plan for financial margin (Luke 12:16-21).

• Christian’s can live within their means.

We all have been given the ability and choice to make different amounts of money. This means we’re not all going to be able to afford the same things. A pastor told me that if we’re being faithful as Christians in our giving, we are already going to be behind the eight ball financially compared to someone who makes the same amount as us and doesn’t follow the Biblical mandate to give. It’s a sobering but true perspective. So, what can we as Christians do? We can spend less than we earn, be thankful for the blessings God has provisioned us with, work hard to increase our station, and practice contentment no matter where we fall on the income spectrum. Philippians 4:11-13 “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…”

Eric Schrum

Eric Schrum is an advisor and partner at Schrum Private Wealth Management. Eric contributes for The Faith First Advisor, The Faith Driven Investor, and has a particular interest in helping Christians align their finances with their beliefs through wise financial planning and investing. Investment Advisor Representative of Spire Wealth Management, LLC. Advisory Services offered through Spire Wealth Management, LLC, a Federally Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through an affiliate, Spire Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC.