Guest Post: Kri Chiarillo lives in sunny Florida and is passionate about using her writing as a positive influence on others.
The ‘Giving First’ Budget to Improve Your Financial Health
Budgeting your money can be challenging, especially if you have many expenses and little income. However, there is an easy way to budget your money by giving it to God first. In this blog post, I will explain what it means to give to God first, why it is important, and how it can help you manage your finances better.
Giving to God first means that you dedicate a portion of your income to Him before you spend it on anything else. This can be done through tithes, offerings, donations, or gifts to your church, ministry, or charity of your choice. Giving to God first is a way of honoring Him as the source of everything you have and showing your gratitude for His blessings. It is also a way of expressing your faith and trust in Him to provide for your needs.
Why is giving to God first important? Giving to God first is important because it aligns your heart with His will and His kingdom. When you give to God first, you acknowledge that He is the owner of everything and that you are only a steward of His resources. You also demonstrate that you love Him more than money and that you seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else (Matthew 6:33). Giving to God first also helps you break free from the love of money, which can lead to greed, selfishness, anxiety, and discontentment (1 Timothy 6:10).
How can giving to God first help you budget your money better? Giving to God first can help you budget your money better because it sets a clear priority for your spending and saving. When you give to God first, you make room for Him in your budget and ensure that you are not spending more than you earn. You also create a habit of generosity and discipline to help you avoid debt and save for the future. Giving to God first can also bless you with more than enough, as God promises to reward those who give cheerfully and generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
How much should you give to God first? You might be surprised to learn this, but the Bible does not prescribe a specific amount or percentage that you should give to God first, but it does give some principles and examples that can guide you. One principle is that you should give according to what you have, not what you don’t have (2 Corinthians 8:12). Another principle is that you should give willingly, joyfully, and sacrificially, not out of obligation, guilt, or pressure (2 Corinthians 9:7). A common example is the tithe, which means giving 10% of your income to God (Malachi 3:10). However, the tithe is not a law or a limit, but a starting point and a minimum. You can give more than 10% if you feel led by God and if you have the ability.
How can you start giving to God first? One good way to start giving to God first is to make a budget for all your income and expenses. Your monetary gifts to God should be a top priority and an integral part of your budget. The amount you give to God should be at the head of your budgeted expenditures — the first item on the list. The amount you give to God should not be an afterthought or based on whatever is left over at the end of your paycheck. You can use the 10-10-80 principle when setting up your budget: 10% goes back to God through your tithe, 10% goes towards your savings, and the other 80% goes towards your needs and the things you value most.
Giving to God first is an easy way to budget your money that can benefit both your spiritual and financial health. By giving to God first, you honor Him as the source of everything you have, express your faith and gratitude, align your heart with His will, break free from the love of money, set a clear priority for your spending and saving, create a habit of generosity and discipline, avoid debt and save for the future, and receive His blessings and rewards. I hope this blog post has inspired you to start giving to God first and experience the joy of living generously.
I have one more tip I wish to convey, and that is what to do at the end of your budget period. For me, I always end my budget on the 30th of each month and begin the new month that same day. I go through my spending, and if I have anything extra left over that is not part of a savings or payment plan for the future, I take 10% of my surplus and set it aside to give to anyone in need that God calls me to help.
Sometimes that money can sit there awhile, and though it is tempting to want to use it for myself, I refrain. It is because I have done this that I’ve been able to have enough cash on hand (Yes, I usually keep this portion as cash), and I was able to help friends and family out when they had unexpected expenses. For example, one friend’s refrigerator broke down completely, and I was able to help them purchase a new one. It was not the fanciest, but it was just what they needed.
I know because I do this, God blesses me and helps me to be in a position to bless others. Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m naturally terrible at money. I have to constantly check myself. If you are the same, then please, take my advice and make a budget. If all you do is track your income and spending, you will find it extremely helpful. But, if you want to experience similar financial blessings as I have, then consider giving to God first. And then, use your abundance when it comes (and it will!) to help others in need.
One final note: The unexpected will happen! Putting God first and being willing to help others in need will help you overcome the unexpected. The only thing you can trust completely is that God is good, and He will do good things for those who work to honor and obey Him.
