By budgeting as a Christian family, you’ll be displaying the importance of bringing God into the center of your finances to your children.

Christian financial planning differs considerably from how society at large handles money. You will need to think differently to guide your family into alignment with Christian financial principles.

Where Budgeting As A Christian Family Differs

When finding how to bring God into your finances, some general ideas are clear.

We should focus on being generous, and serving others. Take care to be responsible with our abundant blessings. Living humbly and within our means, avoiding accumulating debts, and being diligent in business are all a part of managing our money Gods way. 

A cornerstone of Christian Financial Planning involves an emphasis on family and faith. In placing our focus on family, rather than material objects, we also have the opportunity to bring our family into the conversation of money. We can also define our treasures as a family. This helps us understand what each family member truly values. 

Fulfilling these responsibilities may seem like a tall order, but it’s worth it! These guidelines will help keep your finances under control. One look at the financial crisis so many are facing today speaks volumes. In some cases (surely not all!) the financial difficulties people face—even those caused by a pandemic—may have been avoided with careful Christian financial planning. 

Involving Your Family In Your Christian Budget

Budgeting is an invaluable financial skill that can help anyone stay out of debt and live within their means.

It will make it much easier to manage your finances to tithe or give, and pay your bills on time. You’ll be able to plan for upcoming expenses and save for future needs. If you don’t know how to start to bring God into your finances by creating a Christian budget, here is a great resource just for you. While often overlooked, it can also be a valuable part of a young person’s Christian financial education.

The Bible states that ” Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (I Corinthians 4:2). We are stewards over what God has entrusted to us. If we learn to be faithful with what God has given us today, He will entrust us with more (Matthew 25:21).

Start the Conversation Early

Teaching your children how to budget does not necessarily need to wait until they have a big upcoming purchase like a car or college books. 

It can begin at a very young age by promoting taking stock of what they have, and with self-moderation of treats and toys. Halloween is a great time to teach young children how to budget. Challenge them to see how long they can make their Halloween candy last. It is also a chance to discuss value.

As your children get older, consider offering an allowance. Be mindful and spend time sitting down to help them create a budget for their allowance. This is precisely how you budget as a Christian family. It starts with a conversation and an example. This is a great way to start the conversation about money and help your children learn how to manage their money properly. Encouraging tithing or other giving on their budget impresses their at a young age.

You can even encourage them to start a small business. 

Our seven-year-old son has had a great time offering lawn care to folks in our neighborhood.  He was thrilled to earn nearly $100. He is taking his time to decide what to do with his money. How much to give, where to give it, and how much to save have all made for great conversations. It has been a wonderful experience for him and us, and we’ve had a great time meeting new people in our ‘hood.

Conversations about Budgeting as a Christian Family

One of the most powerful things you can do to encourage good money habits in children is to have open conversations.

Allow them to ask questions. Speak candidly, but in ways that they will relate. Tell them about your own struggles to the extent you are comfortable. Very few people go through life financially unscathed. That’s why there are several Christian debt relief programs for people who are struggling. Discussions won’t eliminate struggles entirely. Instead, they will help them know they have someone to talk to when trouble comes along.

Even consider involving others. Multigenerational conversations about money can be fascinating! Financial concepts change over time. Seeing how these lessons are interpreted by our young ones can be a wonderful experience for all.

Leading By Example 

As a parent, you will be more successful in teaching your teen or young person to bring God into your finances if you follow the concept yourself.

Your example of diligently displaying your Christian financial planning in action will pave the way for your children to follow. For teens, budgeting should be encouraged for any form of income to include allowances, income from part-time jobs, gifts, etc. Through budgeting, your teens learn how to prioritize their spending and plan ahead so they, too, can bring God into their finances, serve others, and be successful themselves.

You and your children can always trust the “God” factor to come through in your lives when you are diligent to follow the financial principles in His Word.

Incorporating Biblical principles into your families financial lifestyle is essential when raising children in a Christian home. This three-part series expounds on the benefits of having of a strong Christian foundation in your finances and how you can pass that heritage onto your children.

We live in a class conscious society that places great value on material wealth and the ‘abundance of things which we possess.’ It seems the lines of division between the “haves” and “have nots” are being drawn increasingly clearer by the day and many Christians are having to make tough decisions on where they want to be.

In all honesty, most people would certainly agree that “having not” has little appeal. However, Jesus had no trouble telling the rich yourng ruler who had come to Him seeking the secret of eternal life to “go and sell all that you have and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21). This sure does not seem to place material objects in high regard.

From this and other Scripture that can be related to finance, it’s plain to see that God’s financial system differs greatly from that of society at large. In God’s financial system, the concept of “having” or “not having” is not as important as recognizing what the true “treasure” is to begin with and valuing it above all. In the case of the rich young ruler, his “treasure” was his earthly possessions which he valued most of all. Ironically, his possessions did not bring him complete happiness, satisfaction or peace of mind. Otherwise, why would he go to Jesus for the answers he sought?

The Bible teaches that where your “treasure” is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). Therefore, as a Christian, it is important to determine early on in life just what your “treasure” is going to be, as your “treasure” will have a big impact on the ethics of your finances at home. If wealth and material gain is your “treasure”, your financial decisions, career goals, business dealings, etc. will center around that purpose and, good or bad, your actions will be geared towards reaching that goal.

If you opt for “treasure in heaven,” it doesn’t necessarily mean you will lack financially. It does mean, however, that you’ll place greater priority on living God’s financial principles of generosity, selflessness and caring for the needs of others in your life.

Your perspective of what is truly valuable in life will determine how your finances play out in your home. Your perspective will have an impact on your family, friends, business associates and fellow employees. Your financial values (or lack thereof) could very well be the basis of the Christian financial education you bequeath unto your children.

We propose that you define your families treasure and lead your finances accordingly. Finances are not often discussed openly amongst families. Now, we are not suggesting that you sit down with your children and offer a breakdown of your income and expenses. We do suggest though, that you demonstrate biblical principals openly. Don’t just say that giving is good, but show your children how to give selflessly.

Make a routine of incorporating your entire family in your giving. Maybe you have decided that a percentage of your income or a particular dollar amount is dedicated to charitable contributions. A great way to involve your children is to allow them to choose the charity. An alternative is to match any amount set aside for donations that your child dedicates in their children’s budget (post coming soon in this series!) in order to show that you value their decision to give freely what God has given to them.

There is nothing more important than adopting Biblical principles into your financial lifestyle and passing those principles onto your children. God’s financial system carries with it a lifetime guarantee. Storing treasures in heaven begins with defining your families treasure, which should reflect your belief in God’s Word and His blessing for your financial supply.

In the next part of this series, we will discuss how to teach Biblical financial princples to our children and encourage them to adopt these principles into their lives.

“There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” — I Corinthians 12:6

Tithing–giving money to your church to help with outreach programs–is at the foundation of the Christian faith. Too often, however, as our budgets get stretched, we struggle to find money for the church. One creative way to find money for your tithe is to start a “side gig,” that is, something that makes money other than your regular job. Below are just a few ideas to start you thinking:

Ways to Find Extra Money with a Side Gig

1. Sell your stuff. Virtually every family has too much “stuff.” Books, CDs, games and other media can be sold easily via the Internet. Check with bookscouter.com to see who is offering the best price. Of course, traditional methods like garage sales and consignment stores work well for big items.

2. Get creative. Does your family enjoy crafting? Online outlets like etsy.com and eBay make it easy and affordable to open an online craft shop.

3. Put the kids to work. Most neighborhoods have single or no-child households that need leaves raked, gutters cleaned and lawns mowed. Suggest your teens work for neighborhoods a couple of days a month to benefit the church. It’s a good lesson and they’ll be helping their neighbors, too.

4. Perform a service. Are you good with pets and have time at home during the day? Consider starting a dog walking service. Do your neighbors travel often for business? Offer to take in their mail and watch their house for a small fee. There are dozens of easy services that you can do from home in your spare time.

5. Start a blog. What was once a way to share thoughts and pictures with friends and family is now a great way to make money. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and a free platform like blogger.com. You can monetize even the simplest blog easily, using companies like Amazon.com, Commission Junction and/or Google Ad Sense. Plus, blogging is fun.

Debt consolidation is another way to free up some of your paycheck. If you’re paying multiple credit card companies or installment loans every month, consolidating your debt could help you get back on track and free up some extra cash each month, to tithe or use for other budget items. To find out more about debt consolidation, talk to one of our Christian debt counselors at 877-232-5109.

The term “budget” gets tossed around a lot. 

A budget can be simple or complex. It should reflect our income and our expenses, and it should be honest. One thing that is often missing is that they do not always reflect our values. Instead of merely creating a financial budget, let’s instead consider keeping God first and creating a Christian budget.

When Christian financial concepts are important to your household, there are a few twists to conventional budget suggestions. Some things will hold true, too, of course.

Many people believe that they are using one even when they have never actually put it into practice. Implementing a budget is the best tool available to ensure financial security, whether for an individual, family, or business. Creating a budget does not just mean jotting down your bills and tossing the paper in a drawer, but conducting a thorough review of your income and expenses and then taking actions based on your findings.

Why Take the Time to Create a Christian-Minded Budget?

“Every prudent man acts out of knowledge”

Proverbs 13:16

First things first— let’s understand why it is important to have a budget. Consider your budget to be the foundation of your financial home. Your budget is the groundwork for everything that you will be building on top of it. It will help you determine what you currently do with your money and, more importantly, what you should be doing with your money.

A good Christian budget will be like a solid foundation for a home. 

It should be confident and complete. No bricks should be leftover, and no empty spaces should remain. If you find that you have money left over, you will want to create a home for it in your budget.

Sometimes your new budget may show that you cannot cover your expenses or have credit card debt that has gotten out of hand. In this case, speak with a Christian Debt Advisor for a free professional consultation to learn about Christian debt relief programs that are available to you. 

How is a Christian Budget different?

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” Proverbs 3:9

Most budgets begin with your largest expense first. Generally, that would be your housing expense. On a Christian budget, we should place the tithe at the very top of the list. Even if there’s no chance of tithing while in debt, place that line item at the very top to keep everything in proper perspective. 

When we place God first, we can trust that the rest will fall in place as he intends. 

How Should A Christian Budget Should Look

The best budget is the one you will use. 

Here is where personal finance will become personal. I cannot tell you what budget to use or how it should look because your finances may be drastically different from the norm. I do always encourage simplicity! While I applaud high-level attention to detail, that can be tough to maintain in the long term. 

While your budget will be unique to your situation, there are some guidelines you can follow.

• Use your preferred vehicle: Excel, Google Docs/Sheets, a pen and pad; anything that works for you is fine!
• Expect it to evolve- add some padding to your savings if you can so that when unexpected expenses arise, you’re covered
• Follow a template, like these provided by our friends at SeedTime
• Consider the 10/45/25/20 framework
  • 10% of income is dedicated to tithing 
  • 45% is dedicated to needs (housing, food, etc.)
  • 25% is dedicated to wants
  • 20% is dedicated to savings and debt repayment

Plan and Persevere to Keep your Christian Budget Current

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

2 Thessalonians 3:4-6

Once you understand the purpose of a budget, you should prepare for the tricky part- sticking to your plan!

Your new Christian budget will:

• Guide how you spend your money.
• Shed light on your financial blind spots. 
• Set you up for a successful debt reduction plan. 
• Bring peace to your financial situation.
• Help you automate your savings.

When you have reached your weekly limit on eating out, but your friends invite you to a meal, you’ll learn just how dedicated you are to your budget. Suppose you’ve already spent the money set aside in your new Christian budget. In that case, determination and perseverance will keep you on target.

Allowing small cracks to form in that foundation now can result in an entire collapse in the future.

Stay Aware

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds”

Proverbs 27:23

A regular review is the final component in keeping your new Christian budget in tip-top shape. Life is ever-changing, and our finances change right along the way. If anything has changed in your life, update your budget immediately. Otherwise, take some time bi-monthly or quarterly to review your situation. This regular review will allow you to catch any trouble areas in advance so that you can keep from straying too far off course.

Creating and implementing an honest Christian budget will provide you with awareness of your financial situation that will pave the way for a stable and predictable future. It will allow you to see trouble coming months in advance so that you can prepare. You will be able to spend your money confidently, as you have prepared and anticipated every dollar that you spend.

Complete the simple form below for a free budget review and to explore Christian debt relief programs that will have you debt-free faster than you ever thought imaginable.

Arm Yourself Against Bill Collectors with the FDCPA

Through our experience in offering Christian Debt Relief programs, we have come to learn that whether you are in great financial shape or are up to your ears in debt, some things are universal. Most individuals that we speak with have heard the horror stories about harassing bill collectors. Bill collectors have been known to make incredibly outrageous statements in hopes of collecting on a past due account.

In hopes of putting an end to these unscrupulous collection methods, the Federal Trade Commission implemented the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, better known as the FDCPA. Knowing your rights as a consumer can help you to handle phone calls from bill collectors and give you the knowledge that can keep you from being the target of unethical and even illegal collection methods.

We aren’t attorneys and cannot offer legal advice, so use this as a jumping-off point and consult with an attorney if you feel your rights have been violated.

Here are a few of the basic protections offered by the FDCPA.

When and Where A Debt Collector May Call-

A debt collector should not make any phone calls prior to 8 AM or after 9 PM unless given prior permission by the debtor.

Also, a debt collector should no longer attempt to reach a debtor at their place of employment if they have been notified, whether it be through verbal or written notification, that their employer does not allow such communication.

Types of accounts that are covered by the FDCPA-

The FDCPA covers consumer debts such as credit cards, auto loans, medical bills and mortgages. The FDCPA does not cover business debts.

How to stop phone calls from bill collectors-

If a debtor provides a written request to cease communications the collection agency should cease all collection efforts aside from the following:
o Notification that collection efforts are being terminated
o Notification that the agency intends to take legal action

Statements that a debt collector cannot make-

A debt collector may not use or threaten to use violence or other criminal means to harm the debtor, their reputation or their property. Also, a debt collector may not use obscene or profane language.

One of the most common violations is the frequency of the phone calls. A debt collector may not call repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy or harass the debtor.

While the FDCPA has helped to promote ethical collection tactics, rouge bill collectors still use less than professional methods to collect past due debts. Knowing your rights as a debtor will allow you to stay armed and protected in the event that you are the subject of harassing collection efforts.

If you feel that your rights have been violated, please speak with one of our Christian Debt Relief specialists about a prepaid legal service offered by a third party company. You may qualify to be compensated up to $1,000 under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

When it comes to debt relief programs and ensuring a debt-free future, you have four main options available. How do you know which one is right for you?

Here’s a quick summary to help you make the best decision.

Debt Relief Option #1 – Debt Consolidation

While a common consideration for those with high credit card debt, debt consolidation offers some fairly significant disadvantages.

1. Debt consolidation does not reduce the overall amount of your debt. With a debt consolidation loan you’ll still pay back 100% of your debt, plus interest. A debt consolidation loan basically transfers your credit card debt from one place to another.
2. Debt consolidation loans are usually “secured” loans that cannot be lowered or negotiated. This could put your home, car, or other personal assets at risk in the event of default.
3. Funds from the debt consolidation loan are used to pay off your credit card debt. For some people, having credit cards with zero or low balances is too much of a temptation. Before they know it, they’re back in the same position again with high credit card debt.

Do your research before you choose Debt Consolidation. It’s a decision you’ll be living with for many years to come.

Debt Relief Option #2 – Credit Counseling

Credit counseling organizations usually try to reduce the interest rates and fees associated with your debt. Like debt consolidation, though, credit counseling doesn’t actually reduce the amount you owe. You’re still responsible for 100% of your total balance.

Many people are also surprised to learn that credit counseling can actually cause your monthly payment to go up. If you’re looking for some immediate financial relief and want to have more money in your pocket for rent, food, tithing, and more, credit counseling may not be the best option for you.

Debt Relief Option #3 – Bankruptcy

Yes, bankruptcy will often eliminate all of your debts… but it also produces some significant negative consequences that you should be aware of.

• The bankruptcy will show on your credit report for at least seven years
• It will be much harder to obtain loans or other forms of credit in the future
• The higher interest rates you pay as a result of filing bankruptcy may offset any gains you received from eliminating your debt
• You’ll likely have unexpected attorney expenses due to laws that were recently enacted
• A credit counseling course will be required within six months of filing bankruptcy…even if you have already taken one
• Bankruptcy will stay on your court records for 20 years and could easily be uncovered when you apply for a job, a loan, or rent an apartment

In addition, bankruptcy has a social stigma that many people prefer to avoid. Think long and hard before choosing bankruptcy as a debt relief solution. In most cases, it should be your last choice.

Debt Relief Option #4 – Debt Settlement

The three previous debt relief solutions all have some fairly significant negative consequences to their use – from not reducing the overall amount of your debt to taking five years or more to get you out of debt to potentially increasing your monthly payments.

Debt settlement, though, offers some of the best features of the other methods and eliminates many of the negatives. That’s why we believe that debt settlement is a great choice for those looking to reduce or eliminate their debt.

With debt settlement you’ll:

• Immediately lower your monthly payment
• Reduce your credit card debt
• Become debt-free in as little as 24 months
• Pay no fees until your debt is reduced

Have more questions or want to learn more about the FaithWorks Financial debt settlement program? Visit our FAQ page or click here to receive a free consultation and quote from one of our friendly Christian Debt Advisors.

As Christians, the Bible is our “life guide” – offering advice and instruction on everything from how we treat others to how we should try to live our lives.

But did you know that the Bible contains over 2,000 scriptures that expressly cover how we should deal with and manage money?

Today I’d like to take a look at a specific verse – Romans 13:8 which says; “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

I find the first part of that scripture – “Owe nothing to anyone.” – particularly important.

Why? Because when we accumulate excessive debt, our focus tends to turn away from God and toward money and ourselves.

We start to think less about God and less about how we can become the men and women he desires us to be and more about how we can acquire more money.

If not careful, we can become obsessed with money to the point where it interferes with our personal relationships, our work performance and even our level of happiness.

Our lives may become filled with stress and a general sense of failure. We may lose sight of God and begin to feel all alone in the world.

That’s why it’s important to strive to “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

So if you have accumulated excessive debt, perhaps it’s time to get out from under its heavy weight and begin to regain your life and your focus on God.

Take the first step. Speak with a Christian Debt Advisor and learn about the debt relief options that are available to you.

Remember…you can be debt free. You can have a happier and more relaxed life.

Finally…the hard work is done.

You’ve reviewed your debt relief options (including debt consolidation, credit counseling and bankruptcy) and have determined that debt settlement is the right choice for you.

Perhaps it was because you could get started for free. Or maybe you liked how quickly debt settlement could help you reduce your debt. In any event, it’s great to have the decision made.

Now what?

Well, you want to be sure to choose a debt settlement company that is right for your personal situation. Here are 7 quick tips for choosing a reputable debt settlement company.

1. Make sure you select a company that follows FTC regulations. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous companies out there. The FTC recently stepped in to help protect consumers. You can also protect yourself by choosing an FTC-compliant company.
2. Don’t pay any upfront fees. In fact, there should be no fees until your debt is reduced. FaithWorks Financial believes that you should ‘Get results first…pay fees later’. You’ll want to choose a company that has a similar philosophy.
3. Avoid debt settlement companies that don’t offer a free consultation. The consultation will give you a window into how the company works and help you gauge how responsive their debt advisors are. You deserve to work with experts who will quickly respond to your questions and who put your wants and needs at the top of their priority list.
4. During the free consultation make sure you ask the debt advisor if he or she is the person you will be working with throughout the debt settlement process. Many companies have sales teams that close the sale, leaving you to work with someone else for the duration of the program. At FaithWorks Financial we believe in developing a long-term partnership with our members. That is why we try to limit your communications to no more than two of our Advisors. You’re treated as an individual, not an account number. Your Christian Debt Advisor will take the time to learn about your unique circumstances and be with you through the entire process. This personalized approach can help you reduce your credit card debt even more and save you as much money as possible.
5. Get as much upfront information as possible on how long the debt settlement process will take and how much it will cost. FTC guidelines require that these details be communicated to you…so don’t let a company beat around the bush!
6. Make sure your funds are held at a third-party financial institution in an FDIC-insured escrow account. Avoid companies that ask you to send funds directly to them. It’s your money. You should have complete access and be able to make withdrawals at any time.
7. Consider a Christian Company. Faith-based companies often take a more ethical approach to business and may be more likely to look out for your best interests.

Have questions or want to know more? Click here to receive a free quote and consultation.

Worried about your credit and want to improve it? Our Christian debt relief programs give us insight into helping people not just with their debt, but their credit as well. There are two things to know: You are not alone, and there are some simple ways to boost your credit score.

According to Experian’s annual consumer credit review, nearly one-third of Americans may have difficulty obtaining loans and credit cards because of challenges with their credit.

The better your credit, the lower your interest rate on car loans and credit cards. Good credit scores will also make homeownership much easier. There are few tools more valuable in your financial tool belt than a good credit score.

Below are five (better yet, let’s make it SIX!) simple ways to boost your credit score.

Simple Way to Boost Your Credit Score #1: Get rid of credit card debt

Paying off loans, such as your mortgage, car loan, or student loans, can improve your scores, but it won’t improve your scores as much as consistently lowering balances on revolving accounts such as credit cards. Your debt to credit limit ratio plays a significant role in determining your credit score.

Paying your balances down doesn’t just help your credit score either, it takes major financial pressure off! Understanding how our Christian Debt Relief programs impact your credit is important to ensure long term success.

Simple Way to Boost Your Credit Score #2: Cut back on credit card use

Making big charges can damage your scores whether you pay off your balances each month or not. As a rule of thumb, keep your monthly charges to 30% or less of your credit card’s limit.

Simple Way to Boost Your Credit Score #3: Be sure your credit limits are reported accurately

If your lender is showing a credit limit that is lower than your actual amount your credit score can be penalized. Most credit card issuers will quickly update this information if you make them aware of the error.

This proven and simple way to boost your credit score requires very little legwork and can make a big impact, fast.

Simple Way to Boost Your Credit Score #4: Keep Using Older Cards

Quite simply, the older your credit history, the better. Continue to periodically use the credit cards that you’ve had the longest and your credit score will benefit. Don’t make unnecessary purchases or go deep into debt for this. Even an occasional fill-up at the gas station will do the trick.

Simple Way to Boost Your Credit Score #5: Study Your Credit Report for Errors

When it comes to raising your credit scores, some errors are more important to fix than others.

Here’s what you should look out for. Get these items corrected if you discover mistakes have been made:

• Late payments
• Credit limits reported as lower than they actually are, as mentioned above
• Accounts listed as anything other than “current” or “paid as agreed” (such as “paid derogatory” and “paid charge-off”) if you paid in full and on time.
• Accounts included in bankruptcy still listed as unpaid.
• Negative items older than seven years should have automatically been removed from your credit report.

Follow these five simple ways to boost your credit score and you should see your score steadily improve.

Because Everyone Loves a Bonus…

Don’t ask a creditor to lower your credit limits!

While your heart might be in the right place – i.e. reducing your limit will keep you from charging so much, the truth is lowering your credit limit will reduce the all-important gap between your balances and your available credit, which in turn will hurt your credit score.

It’s better to leave your limits where they are and try to limit your spending another way.

Interested in reducing or eliminating your credit card debt quickly and easily? Our proven Christian debt relief programs will provide a customized debt relief solution so you can achieve true financial freedom.