How To Have A Healthy Relationship With Money As A Christian Millennial.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Do you have the desire to have a healthy relationship with money as a Christian millennial? Are you tired of your outlook on money and need a change? Then read on. Like every relationship you have had, you will experience the highs and lows with money. It will be exciting when you achieve your financial goal, sad when you find yourself in a debt cycle, and boring when you stick to the same budget daily. And therefore it is important to recognize that it takes work and intentionality to have a healthy relationship with money. Before we look at how to have a healthy relationship with money, let us look at how to tell if you have an unhealthy relationship with money.

• How can you tell if you have an unhealthy relationship with money?
• How to have a healthy relationship with money as a Christian millennial.
  • Align your relationship with money with your values.
  • How then can you practically align your values with your relationship with money?
    • Ask yourself what your values are.
    • Be intentional with your spending.
    • Cut back on unnecessary expenses.
  • Prioritize financial literacy
  • Surround yourself with people who have a healthy relationship with money.
  • Don’t compare your journey with others.
    • • Books I recommend on money
  • Conclusion.

How can you tell if you have an unhealthy relationship with money?

First Name

Email address:

I have read and agree to the terms & conditions

Leave this field empty if you’re human:

• You feel guilty when you spend. When you find yourself feeling guilty for spending money on things that you like, then this is a sign of an unhealthy relationship with money. It is okay to splurge on yourself once in a while. After all, why are you working hard if you can’t treat yourself once in a while? It is okay to buy that car or take a vacation if you can afford it. You know one of the biggest motivators to make more money and invest is the comfort that you get to experience when you are financially free. So let me ask you this: when was the last time you did something nice for yourself? And why don’t you think you deserve to?
• You feel like you never have enough money. Have you conditioned yourself to think that more is great? Maybe you even have a figure that you think once you achieve you will be the happiest. If that is the case, you might have a toxic relationship with money. Money is a means to an end and not the end all be all. You should not allow money to rule you. You should instead rule over money and recognize that it is a tool. When you go on chasing money, you will never find it.
• You spend prematurely on expensive things. Again, I am not telling you not to splurge on yourself once in a while, all I am saying is that you should ensure you can afford to do it. Are you buying that expensive bag yet you don’t have an emergency fund? You know that will only lead you to debt should you get into an emergency. Maybe you have friends pressuring you to go on a vacation when you know very well you cannot afford it and you still do it. This is dangerous, as it will lead to you always living paycheck to paycheck and achieving no financial goal you set. Discipline should be a virtue you exemplify in your finances. First, take care of what is important and then you can spend on the nice things you want.
• You always have an excuse for why your financial situation is as is. Are you blaming your financial situation on the economy, government, family, etc? Then you have an unhealthy relationship with money. Taking responsibility for your actions is essential if you don’t want to have toxicity in your finances.
• You resent the rich. Do you always assume that the rich got there by scamming and stealing? Maybe you find yourself envious of them instead of inspired by them. If this is the case, then you have an unhealthy relationship with money. While there are people who use dubious means to get rich, most people get rich by being disciplined and focused. And you cannot put everyone in the same box. Instead, get inspired and want to learn from them. You cannot have something you resent. How will you become rich if you resent those that are where you aspire to be?
• You don’t enjoy talking about money. Do you feel like money is a taboo topic that should not be discussed? If yes, then you have an unhealthy relationship with money. Being able to talk about finances, whether it is with your friends or partner, is essential to build a healthy relationship with it.
• You get scammed frequently. Being scammed the first two times is okay but when this becomes a pattern, then it means you have an unhealthy relationship with money. I mean, once bitten, twice shy. Of course, I am not telling you this to shame you, I only want to help you. Examine your patterns and when you notice that there has been one of being scammed, then recognize that you have an unhealthy relationship with money.
• You are always in debt. Being short all the time is a sign of an unhealthy relationship with money. Not only does it signal poor financial management, but it also says that you don’t even understand the concept of having money in the first place. Again, money is what money does.

Now that you know what it looks like to have an unhealthy relationship with money, how then can you develop a healthy relationship with money? And first, I want you to know that the fact that you have recognized there is a problem is a sign that you are headed on the right path. Acknowledgment is always the first step to transformation. And again, you should not condemn yourself for your past behaviors. It happened and today is a new day to start over. After all, God’s mercies are new every morning. And you should learn to extend grace to yourself.

How to have a healthy relationship with money as a Christian millennial.

Align your relationship with money with your values.

Do not separate your values from your money. You will spend your money based on your beliefs. How do you view money? First off, you cannot have a healthy relationship with money when you consider it an evil tool. Money is not the root of all evil, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

How then can you practically align your values with your relationship with money?

Ask yourself what your values are.

And being a Christian, it would also be important to align your values with what the Bible says. What is important to you? What do you value? And what do you want to achieve in your lifetime? This requires you to look inward and understand your life mission. While some values can be passed on from our parents and guardians, the older you get the more you develop an opinion and the more you realize that you have different values.

Maybe for your parents, they were okay getting by, but for you, you realize you want more than just getting by. Gain a thorough understanding of what matters to you. And be okay with that. Remember, it is okay to be different and just because you think differently from the people around you or the status quo does not make your view wrong. It is okay to want to be a part of helping those in need. Knowing your values will help you create practical financial goals.

Another way you can learn about your values is by looking at your role models and asking yourself what it is you admire about them. We often seek role models based on the values we hold dear.

Be intentional with your spending.

One of the best ways to align your values with your relationship with money is through intentionality. Don’t spend money on things without asking yourself why you are spending that money. You should ask yourself if you even want to spend on the said thing. You don’t always need to conform to the status quo. It is okay to be different. And especially factoring in your relationship with God. There are places you might not be comfortable in because you value your relationship with God. And that is a great thing. Stick to it.

Before you spend money on anything, it is imperative that you ask yourself if what you are spending your money on is something you want to do. If not, then you should be comfortable saying no.

Read this also: How To Overcome F.O.M.O

Cut back on unnecessary expenses.

Now that you know your values, cut back on anything that does not align with your values. In doing so you will align your values with your money relationship. And when who you are is in line with your spending habits, then you will have a healthy relationship with money. Don’t feel guilty reinventing yourself. It is in your authenticity that you will experience the most fulfillment.

Prioritize financial literacy

You don’t know what you don’t know. And if your view on money has been wrong this whole time, then you will need to unlearn what you know and learn new concepts. After all, you can only experience transformation through the renewal of your mind. Dr. Caroline Leaf says that it takes at least 21 days for a new neural pathway to be formed. And the new pathway is created when you create a new thinking pattern. Some ways you can gain financial knowledge are by reading books, listening to a podcast, finding a financial coach, or enrolling in courses that teach about money and personal finance.

You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It is time for you to create a new pattern and break the cycle of poverty and toxic money habits. The Holy Spirit is willing to help you apply what you have learned, but He will only do so after you take the step you need to change. He is your helper, after all.

Surround yourself with people who have a healthy relationship with money.

As you know, you are an average of the 5 people you surround yourself with. Therefore, when you surround yourself with wise people you become wise. The opposite is true as well. Do you know people who have a healthy relationship with money? Ask them and learn from them. You will be surprised. Most people are always willing to help where they can. They might tell you the books they read or the courses they have taken to get them where they are. Also, it is okay to ask for help. You learn by asking questions.

Attend seminars on personal finances and interact with those guys who are on the same journey as you. Intentionality and consistency will lead to your transformation. But it takes you first cutting off those that don’t have the same goal as you so that you can level up. Who knows, your growth might inspire them to change.

Read also: 2 Interesting Ways Your Friends Affect Your Finances as a Christian Millennial.

Don’t compare your journey with others.

Always remember that you are on a unique journey than the next person. The only person you should compare yourself to is your former self to see how far you have come. Comparison is the thief of joy. And when you constantly compare yourself with others you miss out on enjoying the journey and the process.

Also, remember this “looks can be deceiving” All that glitters is not gold. Celebrate the progress and the small wins. After all, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. And consistency is key. These minor changes you are making now will lead to your desired destination. And the goal is to get there no matter how long it takes.

• 5 Practical Keys When Setting A Vision For The Year 2023.
• 5 UNIQUE FINANCIAL TRUTHS CHRISTIAN MILLENNIALS SHOULD KNOW.
• How To Get Over The Fear Of Man
• The 6 biggest financial mistakes Christian millennials should avoid now!
• QUESTIONING YOUR WORTH? (READ THIS NOW)

Books I recommend on money

Kindly note that I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, should you choose to make a purchase.

Quick-Reference Guide to Counseling on Money, Finances & Relationships

Conclusion.

It is okay to spend money on yourself once in a while. Don’t be afraid to do that. After all, you work so hard to earn it, why not enjoy it? Remember do not overspend. Having a healthy relationship with money is a journey and like any relationship, you need to actively work on it. And remember to have a budget as well. Having a day where you go through your finances is also a beautiful thing to do. The more you do that the more enjoyable it will be.

In fact, you will find yourself enjoying having money talks and not being afraid to invest because you are aware of where you are at. Do not blame yourself for your past mistakes. Keep the past in the past. You have grown so celebrate that instead. Never forget that knowledge is power.