The Joy ModelSample

Christians with significant financial resources have a wonderful generosity challenge: Can you get radically generous—radically trusting—and give lots of that money away? It’s not ours in the first place, you know. God gave us the skills, education, connections, good fortune, and work ethic to make that money.

Let’s boost our joy by seeing how His money can bless others. He may also boost our joy with more money: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).

So here are a few rapid-fire recommendations for figuring out where money fits into your joy equation:

1. First and foremost, spend less than you make. The formula for this is amazingly simple: either make more or spend less. Enough said.

2. Look at the concordance of your Bible and read everything it says about money. Even if you don’t believe it all yet, you should at least gather the facts about what God has to say on the subject. And He has a lot to say about it—mostly warnings.

3. Read Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle, Ralph Doudera’s Wealth Conundrum, or anything by Larry Burkett and Ron Blue. These godly men have devoted their lives to teaching the true Christian perspective on money.

4. Create a budget. Many families—especially wealthy ones—don’t do this. It is essential that you get some precision—and if you’re married, agreement—on your income, savings, and philanthropy. This practice will take some discipline, and the conversations will require some courage.

5. Work at distinguishing between needs and wants. For example, you need food. Bread, meat, vegetables, eggs—those are needs. Eating out at a five-star restaurant every night is a want. Focus more on your needs than your wants.

6. Get your kids involved in some way. Let them know about the financial decisions you are making and why.

7. Get a friend, an adviser, or a coach to hold you accountable to your plan. Advice is helpful, but accountability and encouragement are priceless.

8. Test God. The Bible says that finances are the one place we can put Him to the test. Find various ways to trust God with your money and see what happens with your heart. And with your money.