3 Ways Christian Counseling can Help Relieve Financial Stress

Every one of us struggles with money in one way or another. Either we never have enough to do the things we want or, when we do have enough, we struggle to know how best to use our resources. Finances are a problem with which everyone struggles and further complicating life for Christians is the desire to live their lives in accordance with God’s Word. Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:19-21.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (ESV)

So how do we truly obey this command? This article will lay out three ways in which Christian counseling can help to relieve financial stress for those who struggle with too much or too little.

1)    Budgeting as a Christian 

One of the ways a Christian counselor can help relieve financial stress, especially when it is the result of not having enough money, is by providing resources for budgeting. In our culture, it is so easy to fall into the trap of overspending and getting into debt. From credit cards and minimum payments to cash advances, falling behind on payments, and spending more than one has is a common occurrence among many Americans. Paul writes in Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other…” Paul is advising us to avoid financial debt and rather to invest our time and energy in relationships.

Budgeting is the best way to get things back on track when finances have not been handled well for some time. A good place to start is to break things down into monthly income and expenses.  Some helpful guidelines include totaling one’s monthly income and then first figuring out how much to give back to God’s kingdom (whether this is through tithing or other contributions). Next, it is good to set aside around 5-10% for savings, 25-40% for housing, 0-10% for loan payments, 5% for auto or transportation, 5-10% for insurance, 15-20% for household and personal expenses, 5-15% for professional services, and 5-10% for entertainment expenses. If any of these expenses are considerably more than the guidelines provided, the money will need to come from another category or else one’s priorities will need to be reexamined. And that is another way in which Christian counseling can relieve financial stress.

2)    Your Finances Reveal Your Priorities 

As Jesus stated in the above quote from Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” One way to understand this statement is that what and where you spend your money is a good indication of what is really important to you. Clarifying your priorities can go a long way towards reducing financial stress because when priorities are clearly defined, spending should begin to flow towards those priorities. It is easy to say that your priorities are ordered to God, others, and then yourself, but looking at finances often reveals that your priorities are in the opposite order. A Christian counselor can help you to clarify your priorities and to motivate change when it is needed. One good way to facilitate change around our finances is to view ourselves as stewards of God’s resources, rather than masters of our own resources.

3)    Finance is about Stewardship

A final way in which Christian counseling can help relieve financial stress for those with either a little or a lot of financial resources is by helping to facilitate the understanding and integration of stewardship principles. A thorough examination of scripture as it relates to money makes it very clear that everything we have is a gift from God. Even those things we have worked very hard to achieve or acquire were only possible because of the gifts of health and strength, or perhaps education and opportunities, which were first and foremost provided by God. When we consider the source of every good and perfect gift, it should incite a thankful and generous attitude.

Christian Counseling for Overcoming Financial Stress

Whether you have been struggling with finances for some time or have recently found yourself in some kind of financial trouble, it important to see things in perspective. Our whole lives here on earth are merely practice for the eternal lives we have to look forward to in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable in which a master entrusts his servants with talents while he is away on a journey. We should all hope and work towards the commendation that one of the servants received when Jesus tells us: “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” If we are faithful with the resources God provides us with here on earth, we are promised much more in eternal life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with finances or simply having trouble with maintaining a Biblical perspective on finances, it may be wise to consider Christian counseling. The counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling are prepared to help if you wrestle with this all too common battle. I would be honored to come alongside you as a Christian counselor and to provide resources that can help to relieve your economic pressure. Please feel free to contact me here for more information on how Christian counseling can help you to overcome financial stress.