The Bible has a lot more to say about money than we think… and so going through a Christian Financial Curriculum makes a whole lot of sense as a Jesus-follower.
And unlike other Biblical issues, it can be an ever-present worry that touches every area of our lives.
It can be hard to ‘enter the courts with thanksgiving in my heart’ when we’re not sure how to pay the water bill.
Because money is such a big issue, it makes it really hard to narrow down on what’s important to talk about…
The spiritual? Practical? Giving? Contentment? Saving? Passion and working heartily (tied to earning)?
This is the problem when you’re looking for a Christian finance curriculum:
You want something that really digs into what the Bible says about money, not just a program that pays lip service with a verse or two.
As a self-proclaimed money nerd, I’ve personally seen the best (and worst) of what the Church and the world has to offer on the topic…
And, through the years, I’ve found 5 key things to look out for to make sure I’m getting legit, life-on-life guidance – not just surface-level fluff.
So whether you’re looking for a personal plan for your finances or something to lead your Church, small group, or Bible study through, I hope these 5 areas help point you in the right direction:
5 things to look for in a Christian Financial Literacy Course
1. It points back to Jesus
A good financial curriculum should do more than slap a Bible verse on some basic advice and call it “Christian.” What the Bible says about money goes deeper than principles alone.
It needs to realign our mindset toward an eternal perspective.
The goal can’t just be techniques for piling up an earthly treasure that will fade away. It should ultimately be pointing us toward the real treasure – fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus himself.
If a program isn’t orienting your finances around that purpose, it’s missing the mark.
2. It’s real and relevant to today’s challenges
A lot of personal finance advice is still operating under the assumption that everyone wants to follow the typical 9-to-5 career.
But that’s no longer the reality for many of us juggling side hustles, freelancing, entrepreneurship, and more.
And even if you’re not trying to earn some extra dollars on the side, there are always ways to grow where you’re planted and turn your God-given talents and passions into more value wherever you work (which in turn can drastically change any financial situation).
In short, a good program will give guidance that speaks specifically to earning, not just saving or getting out of debt.
3. It captures the Bible’s full money message
Money and the concept of provision are all throughout Scripture – sometimes problematic, other times shown as a resource to be stewarded.
A balanced curriculum should wrestle with this full biblical perspective:
How about “no condemnation in Christ” instead of shaming and judging people’s financial decisions?
Or looking at the joy and gift of giving instead of turning it into a dull obligation?
The messages we teach can’t just be fear-mongering about how evil and dangerous money is (even though that’s part of it).
It also needs to unpack the freedoms and opportunities money provides when viewed and managed through a Godly lens.
4. It’s practical, not just philosophical
Okay, let’s be honest – principles alone won’t cut it.
While the overarching Biblical truths about money are vital, we also need solid guidance for how it all fleshes out in real life.
Stuff like:
- Creating and sticking to an actual budget
- Getting out from under a load of debt
- Saving for emergencies, retirement, kids’ college, etc.
- Investing and growing wealth in a wise way
If a program isn’t equipping us with these practical applications, we’ll still be stuck even if we understand the principles perfectly…
But, more importantly, it should be the right mix of the practical and spiritual – or we might end up teaching people to be successful at the wrong things!
5. It reminds us to lean on God
Despite our best planning and preparation, we’re going to find ourselves in tough financial spots sometimes. That’s just life in this fallen world.
But when we do, a good Christian money resource should remind us of an important step:
Turn it over to God in prayer. Resisting the urge to just grit our teeth and try to power through in our own strength.
Instead, take it to the One who owns it all and allows us to steward it in the first place. He’s the last line of defense when money problems feel overwhelming!
Looking for a Christian finance class built on these principles?
Well, we created one with these five keys in mind, and it is called True Financial Freedom.
It’s a 6-session, Biblically sound financial class (for individuals, small groups, and whole churches or other Christian organizations) where you don’t just learn textbook theory but the exact apps and tools that we use to simplify your financial life.
Inside our Christian Financial Class, we cover…
- The #1 perspective shift that Christians need to make to point them back to Jesus with their money!
- The Biblical principles AND actionable money tips needed to save, earn, and give more (while finding true contentment in our finances)!
- How to join in the awesome adventure that God has planned for our lives – and the role that money plays in the journey.
- Real and relevant ways to manage money, increase earning potential, and breakthrough generosity-blockers holding back our eternal impact!
- And a ton more…
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