Whether you are on solid financial footing and give regularly, or are struggling just to put food on the table, it is important to review your giving. The key to good Christian financial planning is balance and a grateful heart. Setting giving goals that are both practical and generous requires you to take a step back and look at your money habits.

Analyze your Budget

Start by figuring out what you can afford to give regularly. Though the traditional tithe is 10% of your income, there is no reason that you should not give to your full capacity, whether it be above or below that amount. Each person must come up with a figure based on his or her budget. Look for areas you can cut back. For example, if you budget 50 dollars a week for restaurant meals, consider eating at home more and then donating half that number.

Give It before You Miss It

The book of Matthew offers a bit of wisdom in this matter.

Chapter 6: 3-4: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“

Sometimes giving more requires a little slight of hand. Start with your employer. Ask about setting up charity donations deducted right from your paycheck. This is an effective way to track your giving for tax purposes, as well. It also encourages others to follow your lead. Your employer might even decide to match any donations – doubling the offering.

Look for charities that will automatically withdraw the funds from your bank account. This gives you the pleasure of seeing the payment go out without having decide how much to give each month.

Think Outside of the Box

If your budget is as tight as you can make it, then look for other ways to give.

Learn to super coupon – Couponing is not only a great way to save money, but can also be an awesome opportunity to help the less fortunate. Consider hosting a food drive in which all of the items have to be the product of a coupon deal. See who can provide the most (usable!) items at the lowest cost and award a small prize.

Give time instead of money – Giving doesn’t have to be monetary. Check at your church for volunteer and missionary opportunities. Call the local shelter, food bank or kitchen to see if you can lend a hand. Giving time allows you to help people in your community and make friends in the process.

Give as a family – Create activities that your whole family can do to such as collecting cans to recycle or setting up food drives two or three times a year.

Deuteronomy 16:17: “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”

In other words, if you cannot afford the traditional 10% tithe at this time, give what you can afford by setting achievable goals. With prayerful consideration and practical budgeting, you can enrich your life while helping others.

Managing your personal finances isn’t always a simple thing to do. Whether you are trying to pay off a credit card debts, resolve your federal student loans, or save for retirement, it can be hard to know where to start. There are countless websites and television programs discussing the topic, many of which contradict each other. When trying to decide where to start your Christian debt management journey, it is important to remember the greatest tool of all when seeking advice, His word.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”– Luke 14:28

Take the time to lay your debt all out on the table and budget accordingly. Know when you can count on income coming into the home, and know when all of your payments are due. Are there any due dates that you can request be changed to a different time of the month? You’d be surprised to see what you can work out with a payment department when you simply ask for help.

“The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lender.”– Proverbs 22:7

No one wants to feel as if they are a slave to their debt. To make yourself feel as in control of your finances as possible you need to have a plan of action to resolve your debts. That plan of action might start with calling credit card companies to request a lower rate. Maybe your situation is past that, and you should consider a Christian debt settlement program through FaithWorks Financial. No matter how you do it, take control of your finances and don’t let yourself and your family become a slave to the lender.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

In order to avoid losing control of your finances it is a good idea to seek out help from a Christian credit counselor. For many Christian Americans the last thing you want to do is file for bankruptcy. If you are feeling too overwhelmed and need to seek outside help you should do so. You may be able to get a referral from your pastor or other church leaders for help with Christian debt counseling, or you can request a free consultation with a Christian Debt Advisor at FaithWorks Financial.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”– Jeremiah 26:11

Regardless as to how grim your situation may seem at the moment, you can be confident in knowing that God has a plan for you. Your current financial situation may be difficult or frustrating, but much peace can be found in knowing that your burdens have meaning. The Lord wants you to have a bright and happy future without the limitations of debt. If you follow His word and have a plan of action you will be able to conquer any obstacle.

“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.

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.