I know a thing or two about finances.
After all, my mother is a best-selling financial author and speaker who was doing “Extreme Couponing” way before it was a television show. I remember going to the local newspaper with her as a teen to take out all the coupons and inserts from unsold papers they had on hand — and I have the ink stains to prove it.
We would go through hundreds of newspapers each visit, and they helped us cut weekly grocery bills from $300-plus to almost nothing.
On top of that, my mom helped our blended family of seven climb out of tens of thousands of dollars of debt and even won the Showcase Showdown on The Price is Right. Years later, it was a joyous day when our family could afford a house where my three brothers and I didn’t have to share the same room.
My mother ingrained wise money habits in me and my siblings from an early age. Clearly, my mom had a special gift for saving money. But I believe even if the rest of us can’t quite save money in that same way, anyone can use their finances as a spiritual gift.
Matthew 6:21 says that, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is a popular verse, one we should be careful to not gloss over. When we have the mindset of being stewards, or administrators — rather than owners — of our money, it’s easier to have a heavenly perspective about our money, no matter how much (or how little) we have.
Let’s dive deeper into this concept and explore more ways we can use our finances as a spiritual gift.
Stewardship Over Ownership
The first step for using our finances as a spiritual gift is realizing that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Psalm 24:1 reminds us that, “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
This is a mindset shift. When we go from seeing ourselves as owners to stewards, it changes everything — how we spend, how we save and how we give. We begin to ask, “Lord, how would you have me use what you’ve given me?” rather than “What do I want to do with my money?”
Having this perspective can help you turn everyday financial decisions into acts of worship.
Joy in Generosity
Being cheerful in our giving is important, too. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Giving may not feel fun at times (especially if funds are low), but we can choose joy even when the feelings simply aren’t there. When we give cheerfully, we mirror the heart of a God who gave everything for us.
Meeting Needs, Big and Small
God sees our generosity, even when it’s a small donation done in private. Sometimes it’s about seeing the quiet needs around you and acting on them. Here are a few examples of what this could look like:
Every time we meet a need, we become a living example of God’s provision in someone’s life. And that’s powerful!
Eternal Investments
Money spent on temporary pleasures fades quickly, but what’s invested in God’s Kingdom lasts forever. Every time we support a ministry, missionary or local church, we’re helping spread the Gospel and transforming lives and generations for eternity.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:20 to, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy good things or be wealthy — it just means our finances reflect our mission.
Faith Over Fear
It’s easy to hold back in giving because we fear not having enough. But faith-filled giving teaches us to rely on God’s provisions. As Philippians 4:19 promises, “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” When we give despite uncertainty, we declare with our actions that God is our provider, not our paycheck.
So whether it’s through tithing, helping someone in need or funding a ministry that shares the hope of Jesus, our generosity can have a far-reaching spiritual impact. We don’t have to be wealthy to use our finances as a spiritual gift. We just have to be willing.