By Definition

True financial freedom involves understanding and applying God’s principles for handling money. It may require you to reject what others have deemed acceptable financial moves.

Financial freedom is a place in your life where you are not in debt, but live within your means. You make wise decisions for all your purchases and seek to get the best buy. Financial freedom is conquering slothfulness and working diligently. It is a commitment to choose a good name over great riches. Financial freedom is the realization that financial obligations affect your priorities toward God and family.

Most importantly, financial freedom is recognizing that true prosperity comes only from God. “… For it is [God] that giveth thee power to get wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:18). It involves choosing to serve God rather than money, because we cannot serve two masters. (See Matthew 6:24.)

As you live according to God’s principles for finances, you will experience true freedom.

Freedom to Focus on the Family

A person with financial freedom has the opportunity to build his or her job around the family. Payment obligations are easily fulfilled, and one can maintain the priority of spending time with children and investing in family matters. One who faces a financial crisis, however, is often forced to build the family around the job. Late hours, working weekends, and no vacation time forces a spouse and children to give up time together that could be spent to nurture relationships and maintain family harmony.

Freedom to Uphold God’s Reputation

Exchanging eternal riches for the temporary pleasure of wealth only produces more greed. The more you gain, the more you want, and when a Christian is forced to borrow money to meet his basic needs, it damages the example of God’s provision for His children. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Freedom to Give

Someone who views money as a gift from God can give financially without feelings of resentment or comparison toward others. Tithing to a local church is a way we can demonstrate God’s ownership of all that we have. “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9–10). Above and beyond the tithe, we are free to “sow” bountifully and cheerfully as we see needs in the lives of others. (See II Corinthians 9:7-12.)

Freedom to Live

The purpose of money is not to free us from daily dependence on God, but to demonstrate God’s love and power in our lives. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30).

If we understand God’s purpose for money and remain alert to the financial pitfalls outlined in His Word, then we can avoid the set–backs and frustrations that come when these principles are violated.