Managing finances wisely is a matter of stewardship, not just numbers. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." For Christians, spending plans should reflect God-honoring priorities:
Give to God First – Proverbs 3:9-10 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." Our first priority should always be faithful giving to God through tithes and offerings.
Save for Future Goals – Proverbs 6:6-8 highlights the wisdom of the ant in preparing for the future. Setting aside funds for future needs, emergencies, and long-term goals reflects prudent stewardship.
Plan Expenses Wisely – Luke 14:28 reminds us of the importance of planning ahead: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" Thoughtful spending ensures we are not reckless with the resources God has entrusted to us.
Types of Spending Plans
There are several ways to structure a financial stewardship spending plan, each with its own benefits. Choosing the right one depends on your financial situation, discipline, and personal preferences.
A zero-based spending plan assigns every dollar to a specific purpose so that your income minus all expenses (including giving and saving) equals zero. This method ensures intentional spending and eliminates waste.
Example: If your household income is $4,000 per month, every dollar is designated for a purpose: $400 for tithing, $600 for savings, $3,000 for living expenses. Every cent is accounted for, reducing unnecessary spending.
This method involves physically or digitally allocating money into specific categories. Once an envelope is empty, spending in that category stops until the next budgeting cycle.
Example: If you allocate $500 for groceries, you only spend what’s in the grocery envelope. This method is excellent for those who struggle with overspending.
3. The 10-15-75 Plan
This simplified approach divides income into three broad categories:
10% for Giving (Malachi 3:10: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.")
15% for Savings (Proverbs 13:11: "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.")
75% for Expenses
This method is straightforward and easy to follow for beginners.
Choosing the Right Plan for You
No single spending plan fits all households, but the key is intentional stewardship. The best plan is the one that helps you be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you.
To assist with choosing the right budget method for your household, below is a chart of the various budgeting apps available:
Pay $0.00 today with your 14-day FREE trial to EveryDollar Premium (new users only). EveryDollar Premium subscriptions are $17.99/month or $79.99/year after your free trial ends.
FaithFi has a free app version that allows you to manually track expenses. If you want to connect your bank accounts and have automatic expense tracking, the premium subscriptions are $75/annually or $8.99/monthly. There is a 14-day free trial.
5) Quickbooks by Intuit -- the most advanced app designed more for business than for personal finance. The value of Quickbooks is that it links to TurboTax and allows seamless bill pay. You can also print monthly and annual reports. It is a bit pricey.
By prioritizing giving, saving, and planned spending, we honor God with our finances. Stewardship is a spiritual discipline, and as we manage our resources wisely, we reflect our trust in the Lord’s provision.
