The 7 deadly sins of personal finance might sound a bit unorthodox to some. However, each of these sins negatively impacts a person’s attempts at becoming a savvy steward. Each has scriptural backing.
Evangelicals and charismatics rarely hear messages pertaining to the seven deadly sins. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them here they are in alphabetical order: Envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath.
I’m taking these seven sins from a financial perspective. If you are interested in an overview of the Seven Deadly Sins I recommend reading this article.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Personal Finance can destroy even the strongest of financial plans. Christians battle these vices daily. The battle must be with weapons provided by God and not by willpower alone. Willpower alone is no match for the seven deadly sins of personal finance.
The Sin of Envy
Jesus was handed over for crucifixion because of envy (Matthew 27:18 and Mark 15:10). It’s a serious sin.
What is envy and how will it wreck personal financial plans?
Oxford defines envy as, a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck. Quin Jackson writes that envy is hurt, loneliness, and insecurity disguised as anger.
The folks at Got Questions do a great job of distinguishing envy from jealousy. Envy, according to the article, is a negative reaction to lacking something another person possesses. While jealousy is the fear of losing something that is currently possessed.
What does the Bible say about envy?
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.
The Bible compares envy to bone cancer.
If we’re constantly looking at what others have financially we will never move forward. God has a plan for each of us. His plan for us is where we need to be and not in another’s lane.
The Sin of Gluttony
Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
The word “gluttony” is rarely used in modern speech. It’s a super strong word that could be used more often.
Merriam-Webster defines gluttony as one who is given habitually to voracious eating and drinking.
Approximately two out of three Americans are overweight and about 36% are considered obese (Harvard.edu). This unfortunate epidemic is often celebrated in secular society. The church has also embraced the inevitability of unhealthy weight.
The Bible issues stark warnings.
Gluttony leads to poverty. Even hanging around “gluttonous eaters of meat” is discouraged (Proverbs 23:20).
Comorbidities, like obesity, lead to expensive healthcare costs and often early death.
The early church despised gluttony as people often died of hunger. A glutton overconsumed and was selfish.
The Sin of Greed
I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Greed can be defined as an excessive desire for wealth or possessions.
Why is this a problem? Shouldn’t we do our best to optimize our salaries and maximize our wealth? Often it depends on our motives and how we go about doing it.
Many Christians are perfectly content using the metric system style of giving. As soon as they reach, what they errantly believe is their magic number, giving ceases. Or it only happens when the pastor pleads during a special offering.
I invite families to determine what they need to live on and then to willingly give everything else away. We don’t hold off on giving until that amount is reached. However, when it is reached we crucify lifestyle creep and embrace radical, revolutionary, fearless generosity.
Here’s a tremendously helpful article on the Grace of Giving. If you need more info on the subject of tithing, click here.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Personal Finance — Lust
Lust, in the 4th-century version of the Seven Deadly Sins, was known as prostitution or fornication. The word used by Ponticus was porneia. Does that word sound familiar? It should. It’s where we get the modern word, pornography.
From a financial perspective, it’s easy to understand how the sin of lust wrecks finances.
Divorce is expensive.
Child support is expensive and lasts a very long time.
Proverbs 6:32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
More importantly, sexual sin is a disqualifier for heaven.
I John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
I Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Personal Finance — Pride
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction And a haughty spirit before a fall.
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. It’s easy to delude ourselves into thinking that we know more than we really do. Pride inhibits people from asking for help — even from God.
We all will encounter puzzling and challenging situations. When this happens we should turn to God for wisdom, understanding, and insight. Yes, I’m sure your MBA has some value but God has all the answers.
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.
True humility, according to C.S. Lewis, is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.
The Sin of Sloth
Sloth, like gluttony, is a word that is rarely used in modern speech. Now, the sloth is a popular animal that ironically has inspired an entire industry.
Slothfulness, as defined by the Collins Dictionary, is a person who is lazy and unwilling to make an effort to work.
Slothfulness is considered a wretched behavioral trait in the Bible. Modern translations often exchange laziness for slothfulness. God criticizes both throughout the Bible.
Proverbs 10:4 Poor is one who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Matthew 25:26 But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed?
Savvy stewardship requires diligence.
The Sin of Wrath
Misguided anger can wreck financial progress.
Road rage incidences can end in prison sentences. Wrath and anger never lead to productive outcomes. Selective rage is a social media phenomenon. Often society tells us when we should be angry about a specific situation, slight, or injustice. Then we’re supposed to play follow the leader and let everyone know that we’re angry on the socials.
It reminds me of junior high school.
James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We all will be mistreated and victimized at some point in our lives. Turning to God in these situations is what’s best.
An outburst of wrath could kill a business deal, put an end to a promotion, or give a first-class ride to the Big House.
I invite you to crucify wrath with kindness. Kindness is in us according to Galatians 5:19-20. It must be developed and the Holy Spirit will help us do just that!
The 7 Deadly Sins Of Personal Finance Summary
Breaking free from poverty and building wealth is challenging. We don’t need to shoot ourselves in the foot by inviting the Seven Sins of Personal Finance into our business. Put them on notice by embracing The Fruit of the Spirit.
Here’s a link to a great article on the Fruit of the Spirit that you will enjoy.
I dare you to profit so that you can practice and promote radical, revolutionary, and fearless generosity!
Blessings!