The reason the Church is the best place for financial education is that it possesses God's Word. In God's word, we find true financial knowledge and wisdom. God has put His Biblical financial principles throughout the books of the Bible to show us how to manage wealth in a healthy way. It shows us how to spend wisely, save and invest diligently, avoid debt which is slavery, and give generously, which increases our joy and fulfilment. Best of all, we can trust the advice because it is from God who loves us and works all things for our good.
Unfortunately, there's been a significant amount of teaching in the Church about money that's just plain wrong. The Bible doesn't teach that poverty is piety or that asceticism leads to a higher state of spirituality. These teachings, though a part of Church history, are a misinterpretation of God's word. It is man's attempt to justify himself through false humility and works.
God isn't poor and isn't interested in us being poor. God is extravagant in his blessings and lavishes his goodness on those whom He loves. Therefore, any teaching from a poverty mindset is wrong and unbiblical. Paul said that "everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4). There's nothing wrong with wealth and increasing it, as long as the reason for our work is to glorify God and do His will.
The Bible has a lot to say about money. In fact, Jesus talked more about money than even heaven and hell. We should talk about it too, in a healthy, open way that is founded on biblical truth. Money is not evil; it is a tool given by God for our flourishing. The possession of money is not in and of itself a bad thing. Paul's word to Timothy about money (1 Tim. 6:10) was not an indictment of money, but a warning about the danger of worshiping money.
In fact, it was Paul who often collected money to care for impoverished Christians. Too often, Christians, in a well-meaning attempt to encourage generous giving, denigrate the biblical values of hard work and thrift and undermine the benefits of free markets and wages. Money can be exploited for evil ends, but it can also be leveraged for good.
Money is the reward for hard work. Both Jesus and Paul affirmed the idea that hard work should be rewarded by a fair wage (Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18). God is glorified when we apply our gifts and talents to the marketplace and are rewarded with money. In fact, the Bible teaches that an entitlement mindset that looks for money without work is a sinful lifestyle (2 Thess. 3:10).We should encourage our children to work hard and find reward. Of course, money is not the only reason to work; we work to glorify God (Col. 3:23). As Christians we should learn how to manage our finances. On my Facebook page (Clement Dlamini) I always teach about financial literacy and I can be happy to visit your church and talk about this topic deeply.
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