Your money or your life!

Handling money is often a taboo subject among our friends and it is often easy to take the stance that ‘ignorance is bliss’! It is easy to put off thinking about money until we are in our first ‘proper job’, but that is not the Bible’s attitude to money. In fact it has a great deal to say about it, our attitude to it and how we use it. In these few years at university or college, we have the opportunity to be faithful in small things (Luke 16:10), building up a thoroughly Christian mindset so that one day we may be faithful in much.

What’s yours is mine

God is the ruler of the world, he made the world and he made us to be rulers of the world under him so a well known gospel outline tells us. It is for this reason that we view everything in this world as coming from God and ultimately under his ownership. The trees, the mountains, food, money, time, even down to your CD collection: God owns everything. But that is only half the story, God has made us to be his supervisors on this earth, or ‘stewards’. We are to look after the world we are placed in as if we are care taking for the Maker of it. This changes our mindset completely. We are no longer to view money as ‘my money’, but as ‘God’s gift to me to be stewarded in a way to give him most glory.’ How does that work out in practice?

Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say “Who is the Lord?” or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9

Gospel priorities

As you start your course, although it is made up of all sorts of different modules and components, it is all working for one big aim your degree or certificate at the end. Likewise, God has one big aim for the world, and that is to bring all things under the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10). If we are care taking for Jesus, God’s aim should be our aim too.

How can I use my time and money to glorify God more? Have a look at 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 to see what Paul has to say about it. What opportunities do you have to be generous and supply the needs of God’s people? Do we trust in our faithful God?

Practically,many of us need to take on a part time job during the year. Let Jesus be Lord over your decision-making and in your job. Be wise when you are applying for jobs. Talk it over with your personal tutor. Think about questions like: How many hours? When could I work? Will it stop me from being involved in church or CU? Will it stop me from (for example) helping on a kids’ camp, an inner city project or witnessing to international students in the summer? How can I give most glory to God?

Think before you blow all your money in the first week! Be sure to work out a budget before you go. This may be the first time you’ve had to do this and it may sound very dull, but it could make the rest of the year much easier! Again, if we are to be good stewards of the money God has given us we should want to use it wisely and not let it run out of our pockets. Sit down with your parents or someone you know who is good at handling money. Work out what your average monthly income will be and then subtract your expenses: giving, rent, food, phone bills, electric, gas, transport, course costs (e.g. books, lab coats, stethoscopes, developing photographs), match fees etc.

Dealing with difficulties

Sometimes things don’t go swimmingly and we can fall into debt. The best thing to do is talk to someone as soon as possible, don’t let debt spiral out of control. Talk to your parents. There will always be someone at your Students’ Union who is trained to help you manage debt, or you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau. All these services are free and confidential.