***News Release***
Do Christians Separate Finances From Faith?
Biblical Investing Authority Dan Celia Says Compartmentalizing Money Away from God Is an All-Too-Common and Dangerous Habit
PHILADELPHIA—No job is “perfect,” but many are able to work for most of their lives because God has provided wonderful opportunities to earn a living. Daily, millions of people provide for their families and are contributing members of society, doing whatever God has given them the opportunity to do.
But for those who call Christ their savior and God their ruler, are they separating the money they earn from their faith?
Nationally syndicated host and biblical investing authority Dan Celia says this separation is an all-too-common and dangerous habit of compartmentalizing money away from God.
“We know we are to do all things unto Christ and should have an attitude of gratefulness as we work,” Celia wrote in a new commentary for The Christian Post. “Why, then, do so many have fear about the money we earn each week? There is the fear of losing it, or the fear of not having enough—perhaps the fear of whether we are investing it properly or fear of not being able to pay our debts.
“All through Scripture we are called to have a reverent and holy attitude, not a worldly fear, but to put our trust in the Lord in all things,” he continued. “In over 30 years of counseling with individuals and organizations about the stewardship of their money, I have discovered that we are fine with ‘trusting the Lord’—until it comes to our money. We have somehow managed to compartmentalize our money away from—or out of—the responsibility of God. We take that responsibility on ourselves and often leave the Lord out of the picture.”
Money is a primitive representation of our efforts in life, Celia added. Therefore, if Christians are to lay their entire lives before God, this must include finances. Worry, procrastination and disobedience hinder the faithful from putting God in control of money—and also hinders their relationship with Him.
“The first and most important thing to do is acknowledge our habit of separating finances from faith,” Celia said. “Simply tracking spending and income weighed against giving over any given month can provide a snapshot of how much of a priority we are making expanding the Kingdom. Those who know Christ know that money is just a means to an end—and that end is sharing Jesus with the world. Christ is the greatest security we can acquire, and a firm relationship with Him means the obliteration of all fear—including money. Philippians 4:19 promises that, ‘God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ We must have faith in God and the coming of His blessings. Because God operates on faith, expecting His blessings will allow us to do more for the Kingdom.
“ And ultimately, we must give for the right reasons,” he added. “Let us never forget giving is a wonderful act of worship and let us never give with desire for recognition. If necessary, we can even give in secret. Regardless, it is up to us to ensure that the church doors stay open and more are reached for His glory. Breaking free from the bondage of the fear of money will allow us to live by faith in freedom.”
Celia frequently discusses biblically responsible investing and other global and economic headlines on his daily, three-hour “Financial Issues” program, heard on about 650 radio stations nationwide and reaching millions of households through several TV networks.
Read more about Celia, FISM and “Financial Issues” or visit the FISM website, its Facebook page, on YouTube at Financial Issues with Dan Celia or on Twitter @financialissues; download the FISM app here.
###
