An Exercise of Humility

Read Time / 2 Minutes

Theme / Wise Living

I have the honor of teaching a financial class at our local church, working with younger generations on creating financial foundations and building good habits. Often much of our conversations surrounding good habit building comes back to one spiritual fruit: humility. There’s tremendous overlap between good financial habits, and living a humble life. Just in our class, one of the most consistent reasons for stressful debt is the car. People taking on car payments to get a “reliable” car. In reality, they’re often getting a $12,000 car that is nicer when there are $6,000 cars available that may be beat up, but are reliable. Typically, it’s a decision being made without humility. The cheaper car may be beat up, have a scratch or two, or maybe isn’t the fanciest brand – but ultimately, it’s a moment to swallow pride and make right financial decisions.

Another example I run into often with younger people are excess spending on fashion. Whether it’s clothes, shoes, makeup or nails, I’ll meet with people who “can’t afford groceries” but just dropped $300 on a new haircut, shoes and jeans. And I get it, sometimes those things come out of necessity, but if you’re putting those purchases on a credit card it’s prioritizing your fashion over good financial stewardship. The bible doesn’t mince words on wise financial stewardship and humility. Provers 22:4 says:

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord, is riches and honor and life.”

Is it embarrassing to have old shoes, or hair that’s a little shaggy? Yes, I get it, but it’s also an exercise in humility. Swallowing desire to please others, to please the Lord with the wealth he’s asked us to steward.

And the great thing about our God? He knows the desires of our heart, and as we see throughout the story of Job, when we come to the Lord in humility, he often blesses us with much greater riches than we would have on our own. It’s not without suffering, and in the case of your car payment, suffering with a 2007 Toyota Carola instead of the new Tesla, but it’s worthwhile in the end.

Nathan Carroll

Registered Assistant

208-918-8655

nathan.carroll@christianwm.com