For Christians, finances are not just a personal matter, but also a spiritual one. The Bible teaches that our resources are a gift from God, and we are called to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us.

As April is Financial Literacy Month, it's the perfect time to assess our financial health and make informed decisions about our money.

Biblical Examples of Financial Stewardship

The Bible provides many examples of faithful financial stewardship. In last month’s article, I shared the story of the bags of gold (Matthew 26), in which the servants who invested his gold wisely were rewarded, while the one who buried it was called “wicked and lazy.”

We can also learn from the example of the Widow of Zarephath, who used her limited resources to prepare a meal for Elijah. He then assured her that her supplies would not run out until the famine ended (1 Kings 17). Lydia, who was financially independent from her sales of purple cloth, used her wealth to support the early church (Acts 16).

Biblical Principles for Financial Stewardship

The Bible provides guidance on how to manage our finances in a way that honors God. Here are some key principles:

• God owns it all: We are not owners of our resources, but stewards of God's wealth (Psalm 24:1, 1 Timothy 6:10).
• Trust in God's provision: We are called to trust in God's provision and not worry about our financial needs (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Use resources wisely: We are to use our resources in a way that honors God and reflects our values (Luke 12:15-21).
• Generosity and giving: We are encouraged to be generous and give to those in need, as an act of worship to God (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Practical Tips for Improving Your Financial Literacy

As we seek to be faithful stewards of God's resources, here are some practical tips:

1. Create a budget: Track our income and expenses to understand where our money is going, and make intentional decisions about how to allocate our resources.
2. Manage debt: Work to pay off high-interest debt, and avoid taking on debt that can hinder our ability to give and serve others.
3. Save and invest: Set aside a portion of our income for short-term and long-term goals, and consider investing in a way that aligns with our values.
4. Give generously: Look for opportunities to give to those in need, and consider setting aside a portion of our income to give to causes that are doing good work and align with our values.

Resources for Improving Your Financial Literacy

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): A non-profit organization that provides financial education and credit counseling.
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): A regulatory agency that offers financial education resources and tools.
• Christian financial resources: Consider organizations such as Christian Financial Advisors, Crown Financial Ministries, or Kingdom Advisors, which provide biblical guidance on financial stewardship.

By applying biblical principles to our financial decisions, we can be faithful stewards of God's resources and experience the joy of giving, as He joyfully gives to us.

Thank you for honoring God with your finances and using your resources to advance His kingdom, such as through Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry. Investing in education, especially the education of girls, is one of the best ways to create lasting change.

Bethany Krepela joined the LPGM U.S. staff as development director in 2020. She lives in Southwest Minneapolis with her husband and daughters and is a member of Oak Hill Church in Bloomington (CLB). 

A portion of this article was published as the second in Bethany's "Generosity Matters" column in the April 2026 eNews.