A few weeks ago, we started this series on Financial Principles by tackling the biblical truths wonderfully compiled by the Good $ense Ministry (GSM) in the post, FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES: UNDERSTANDING THE STEWARD MINDSET. Now that we have a solid understanding of those foundational beliefs, we are able to move on to the next logical step in the personal finance process: earning.

What is a diligent earner?

According to GSM, a diligent earner is someone who “produces with diligence and purpose and is content and grateful for what he or she has.” My interpretation is that we all inherently know how to work hard, but the diligence is in the belief that hard work is worth it. When we understand the big picture and are appreciative of the outcome, we are earning diligently.

An additional layer here is that work is not a punishment. It is a gift to join God in taking care of His kingdom. Prior to the fall, God created work to bless the entire world.

The following scriptures can be divided into three categories: what we need to do, how we should feel, and the expected outcomes when our actions and heart are in the right spot.

The to-dos

Generally speaking, we are asked to serve God via how we do anything. This is especially true when it comes to work. This first verse from Colossians is referring to how we work. Secondly, we need to work enough to take care of those we are responsible. This could mean spouses, children, or just ourselves. This well-known verse from 1 Timothy speaks to this point.

Be diligent; Serve God.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” - Colossians 3:23

Provide for ourselves and those dependent on us.

“Those who won’t care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers” - 1 Timothy 5:8 NLT

Heart happenings

While the ask is for us to do something, we all know what it looks like when someone does it with a joyful heart. The difference is palpable. We are created to know that God provides us with opportunities to work and the money from the work. Our goals are to work hard, but know that He ultimately decides how much we make. Our job is to enjoy the work we do because every job has dignity. It all serves a purpose; just as the Body of Christ involves many different types of people that each have irreplaceable contributions. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Be grateful; Remember from whom income really comes.

“Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” - Deuteronomy 8:18

Enjoy your work; Be content in it.

“It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work—whatever they do under the sun—for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God” - Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 NLT

Earning outcomes

If we allow it, there is tremendous sanctification that we can experience through our work. God has taught me so much about my heart, His faithfulness, and the specific calling on my life through my work. I feel strongly that God is asking me to use it to honor and respect those I come in contact with, produce work product of the highest caliber, and to bring the character and light of the Kingdom wherever I go. A natural outpouring of the hard work we perform is that we receive wages and compensation. This enables us to give generously to others.

Be transformed workers.

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart” - Ephesians 6:5-6

Earn potential; Share excess.

“If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need” - Ephesians 4:28 NLT

It’s always fascinating to me that earning is synonymous with work. Often times, we are so focused on the money part of it that I think we forget what we are biblically called by God to do in the process of acquiring those financial resources. Earning is not a means to an end, but rather the process of bringing our skills and services to help care for the world with which we’ve been entrusted.

As a result, we earn wages for that work. However, according to GSM, how much is not as important as how you’ve earned it in the first place. I wonder how much our work-life would change if we shifted our mindsets to reflect these truths.

How do you approach earning and work? Do you feel like your heart is in the right place? Do you find that you have similar outcomes? Let me know what spoke to you in the comments!