The Wealth God Gave You Workbook

God’s Purpose for Your Money

Your next money decision can reflect your faith, even if it’s a small one. Before you spend, save, give, or borrow, pause and ask: “What purpose do I want this money to serve?” That question can turn a rushed transaction into a faithful choice.

You don’t need a perfect budget to begin. You need a clear direction. Today, you’ll connect your money to three things: what you believe, what you’re responsible for, and how you want to serve others.

Connect Your Money to Faith and Purpose

Money is a tool, not your identity. Scripture reminds us that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. That doesn’t mean money is bad or that you must ignore your needs. It means you’re a steward - a person trusted to manage resources wisely.

Faith-shaped money decisions usually include three questions:

1. What honors God?

Does this choice reflect honesty, self-control, gratitude, and trust?

2. What fulfills my responsibilities?

Does it help provide for my household, pay what I owe, prepare for the future, or care for what God has placed in my hands?

3. What serves a meaningful purpose?

Does it support generosity, family, healthy work, ministry, community, or another calling?

Purpose gives your money a job. Without purpose, money often follows pressure. A sale, a social media post, or a stressful day can make the decision for you. With purpose, you can pause and choose.

Key takeaway: Your money decisions become clearer when you connect each dollar to faith, responsibility, and purpose.

Start with one decision you’ll make today. Maybe it’s a $60 grocery trip, a $35 meal out, a $200 tool purchase, or a $500 payment toward debt. The amount matters less than the direction. A faithful choice is not always the cheapest choice. It’s the choice that fits your values and responsibilities.

Your Purpose-to-Purchase Map

Materials needed: A notebook or printed workbook page, a pen, and your bank app or a recent account statement.

Time required: 15 minutes.

Expected outcome: You will name three money purposes and use them to evaluate one real spending decision.

Your Turn

1. Write three money purposes that matter to you right now. Choose purposes you can act on, not broad wishes. Examples include “provide stable housing,” “give $25 each month,” “save for reliable transportation,” or “reduce credit card debt by $100 monthly.”

• My first money purpose: __________
• My second money purpose: _________
• My third money purpose: __________

2. Beside each purpose, write the faith value connected to it. For example, providing stable housing may connect with responsibility. Giving may connect with generosity. Paying debt may connect with honesty and freedom.

• Purpose 1 faith value: ____________
• Purpose 2 faith value: ____________
• Purpose 3 faith value: ____________

3. Choose one upcoming money decision within the next seven days. Write the exact decision and amount. Avoid writing “spend less.” Write “decide whether to buy the $48 kitchen appliance” or “choose how to use Friday’s $150 leftover.”

• Decision: ____________
• Amount: $____________
• Date I expect to make it: _________

4. Test the decision with these three questions. Answer each one in a complete sentence.

Does this choice honor God and reflect my faith?

_____________

Does this choice meet a real responsibility or support a named purpose?

_____________

What will this money make possible after I spend it?

_____________

5. Choose one action. Mark the statement that fits:

• [ ] I will make the purchase as planned.
• [ ] I will wait 24 hours before deciding.
• [ ] I will choose a lower-cost option.
• [ ] I will redirect the money to a higher-priority purpose.
• [ ] I will ask for wise counsel before deciding.

6. Put a reminder where you’ll see it before making the decision. Set a phone reminder, write a note in your wallet, or add a label in your banking app. Use this sentence: “This money has a purpose.”

Completed example:

> Money purposes:

> 1. Keep our household current on bills.

> 2. Give $25 each month.

> 3. Save $100 monthly for a dependable work vehicle.

>

> Upcoming decision: Buy a $180 upgraded pressure washer this Saturday.

>

> Does it honor God and reflect my faith?

> It could support honest work, but I need to check whether the purchase is wise right now....