Laws of Financial Literacy

Any science, any society, any natural phenomenon and spiritual sphere have their laws on which they are based. Law is the firm and principled foundation of any teaching, any science and any phenomenon, whose Creator and Organizer is God. Law is impartial and acts regardless of who uses or studies it.

Financial literacy also has its laws, which will operate both in the lives of good and righteous people, and in the lives of evil and sinful ones.

A knife in the hands of a cook is a blessing, and in the hands of a criminal - a terrible weapon.

• Wealth is not a goal and meaning, but a means and tool through which you can improve much in this world, serve many. It should not be put on a pedestal and serve it (Prov.23:4-5).

• God is the Master and ruler of all laws and riches of our world and world order (Gen.1:1; Ps.23:1-2; Hag.2:8).

• True wisdom and literacy comes from God, and He gives knowledge and reveals mysteries (Prov.2:6).

• Neither small nor large wealth should occupy God's place in a person's heart and displace the priorities of God's Kingdom (Matt.6:33).

• Managing money requires wisdom, caution, control and reasonableness (Prov.2:10-12).

• Any income, acquisition, profit, as well as any mistake or failure, should evoke gratitude to God for His generosity and those life lessons that teach much (1Thes.5:18).

• Recognizing God as Owner of all one's riches is an event called: "giving tithes." The tenth part of profit and income belongs to God and is that sanctuary which a person has no right to encroach upon (Lev.27:30; Luke 20:25).

• A true and pleasant sacrifice to God is not a small part of what I have much of, but what is very dear to me and I am ready to part with it forever, not expecting compensation or praise (Luke 21:1-4).

• True happiness comes not when a person receives much, but when they give much, but at the same time, have reasonableness (Acts 20:35; 2Pet.1:5-6).

• Money doesn't appear from nothing and doesn't fall from heaven, but you need to apply effort, labor, ingenuity and wisdom to have it (Prov.14:23).

• It's important to distinguish the necessary from the desired, good from pompous, fashionable from practical and not be greedy for every advertisement (1John 2:15).

• The mind, in trade deals, should govern the will and form patience. Not everything you want should be bought. To double your capital, sometimes you need to fold it in half and put it in a piggy bank (Prov.21:20).

• Any purchases should not be impulsive, especially when there is pressure from outside. Speed is welcomed in charity and in serving others. Prayer and counsel with God in any deal helps avoid unnecessary expenses (Prov.19:2; 21:5).

• The ability to say "no" to your vain desires will help save a lot of money for more useful purchases (Prov.25:28).

• Expensive things are not bought for small money. To acquire something significant you need to be able to save and set aside (Prov.13:11).

• A rich person is not one who earns much, but one who knows how to set aside and save. Part of income must be preserved for future needs (Gen.41:34-36).

• Accumulation, savings and acquisition of everything useful should not become the goal and meaning of life, separate you from God and divide you from friends (Matt.6:19-21).

• Friendship, love, happiness, peace in the heart, health and a happy family are not bought with money and do not depend on their presence or absence (Prov.15:17; 17:17).

• Contentment with what you have is the greatest treasure and wealth (1Tim.6:8).

• Any good seed sown in good soil will bring much good fruit. So money wisely invested in the right business brings good profit (Gal.6:7; Matt.25:16-17).

• Reasonable planning and goal-setting help preserve money from unnecessary expenses and foolish investments (Luke 14:28).

• You need to spend less than you have and earn. Also don't borrow if you have nothing to repay with (Prov.22:7).

• Learn from your own and others' mistakes and draw conclusions from others' losses (Prov.1:5; 19:20).

• Money should be earned honestly, without deception, without causing damage or suffering to other people (Ex.20:15; Prov.33:3).

• Modesty adorns a rich person and doesn't cause envy in other people (Prov.13:7).

• Cut your coat according to your cloth. You need to live not according to fashion, but according to your means (Prov.28:19).

• If wealth brings fear, anxiety and deprives the heart of peace, then ask for wisdom so the Lord will show the essence and cause of this problem (Prov.17:1).

• Quick and easy money often carries danger and can be a trap (Prov.28:20).

• Don't envy those who are more successful, who are richer, who arranged their life better than you. Envy deprives of joy from what you've achieved and gives nothing in return (Ex.20:17).

• Money earned by deception or on someone else's blood will not bring happiness and blessing to life (Hab.2:12).

• Money spent on good and helping other people brings more joy and meaning than that which lies in a piggy bank for years (Prov.11:24-25).

• Greed and stinginess do not add friends, do not bring honor to a person, do not bring happiness and deprive the soul of the true meaning of life. Everything in nature serves for the benefit of another (Eccl.5:10).

• God gives wisdom in resource management to everyone who asks Him for it with faith (James 1:5-6).

• The Bible contains very many important and wise pieces of advice on business and entrepreneurial activity (2Tim.3:16).

• Useful work, besides money, brings many blessings and joy. Our organism is arranged so that when performing useful and necessary work, it produces hormones of joy, from which the heart rejoices and awareness of satisfaction comes (Eccl.5:18-19).

• A wise and diligent worker will always be in demand by other people (Prov.22:9).

• A lazy dreamer will live in constant need and disappointment (Prov.6:6).

• A sum of a thousand dollars begins with setting aside one small cent. Any small savings over time become large sums (Prov.13:11).

• Be faithful in fulfilling financial promises and agreements, even if you have no profit. A contract is more valuable than money (Prov.22:1).

• Beware of financial traps, debt obligations and advertising promises. Show reasonableness and foresight before making a final decision. Ask others, consult with specialists, study the situation comprehensively (Prov.14:15).

• Joint efforts or investments can bring more blessings than working alone. Hired workers, necessary tools and auxiliary technical means will bring more profit than the work of one person (Prov.14:4).

• Be honest, timely and generous in paying wages to those who worked for you (James 5:4).

• Don't carry all eggs in one basket. Don't invest all your money in one project and don't store all your savings in one place (Prov.27:12).

Ask children to tell about their financial plans, goals, problems and mistakes. Communicate on this topic, share your thoughts and your experience with them, learn other laws.

1. Please read Prov.10:4; 11:28; 13:22; 16:3; 17:16; 21:17; 22:9; 28:22; Lev.19:13; Ps.36:21; Col.3:23-24, in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. How are financial laws connected with God's principles and wisdom?

5. Does everything in your life correspond to God's requirements? Is there something for you to learn?

6. Why is wealth not the goal and meaning of life, but only an instrument and means?

7. Why is true happiness connected with giving rather than receiving?

8. How to distinguish the necessary from the desired and not succumb to advertising influence?

9. How can prayer and counsel with God influence financial decisions?

10. What does it mean to be able to say "no" to your desires and how does this help?

11. What distinguishes a rich person from one who simply earns a lot?

12. Why are friendship, love and peace in the heart more important than money?

13. What does the principle of sowing and reaping mean in finances?

14. Why is it important to learn from your own and others' mistakes?