Timeless Methods of Money Management

A young man in his early twenties got my attention the other day when he observed with surprise, "You carry a briefcase? Wow, I didn't know anyone actually used one of those things anymore!"

I've carried a briefcase since my college days in upstate New York. It snowed a lot, and I needed to keep my books and papers dry. Back then it seemed to me that the only people who carried backpacks were mountain hikers and first-graders, so I went to the mall and bought the cheapest briefcase I could find. I've carried one to work ever since—and I never gave it a thought until my young friend pointed out its novelty.

As we get older, some of our day-to-day habits seem strange and outdated to the next generation. Whenever my grandfather went outside he wore a hat—a plain one for work and a fancy one for church. The entryway of the church building included a shelf above the coat-rack, and on winter Sundays the whole shelf was filled with dressy men's hats.

I wonder what Grandpa would think about the way people handle money today. My first new car cost $4,000 and I could fill up the gas tank for $5.00. I paid for college one semester at a time and graduated without debt; today's typical college graduate owes more in student loans than I paid for my first house. I didn't own a credit card until I was married and had a full-time job; today, credit card companies aggressively market their services to consumers barely old enough to vote.

Times change, but wise financial principles apply in every generation. The ancient book of Proverbs contains tried-and-true methods of money management that apply to anyone who wants to make ends meet.

Save regularly. "Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow" (13:11).

Work diligently. "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (14:23).

Spend prudently. The "wife of noble character" shows her wisdom when she "considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard" (31:16).

Avoid unnecessary debt. "The borrower is servant to the lender" (22:7).

Give generously to honor God. "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops" (3:9).

Give generously to help others. "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor" (22:9).

Make smart decisions. "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps" (14:15).

Don't give greed a foothold. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint" (23:4).

Don't expect money to buy happiness. "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf" (11:28).

Be content with simple things. "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife" (17:1).

I don't wear a hat like Grandpa did, but he handled money wisely according to timeless biblical principles, and I want to do the same. I'm determined to use my money in a way that honors God. And no matter what my younger friends think, I will continue to carry a briefcase.