One of the harshest—and perhaps most startling—passages found in all of Scripture is the Apostle Paul’s admonition to church members in I Timothy 5:8. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives,” he writes, “and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Paul was addressing many new believers who were trusting that the Lord would take care of them while callously ignoring common-sense obligations to their families—something even pagans wouldn’t do. If you are a breadwinner in your home, then providing for your family requires more than just bringing home a paycheck. Here are three important things you must have:
A sensible spending plan
Debt can destroy family harmony faster than just about anything else. Do you have a budget to balance giving, saving, and spending? Planning where your money is going to go is the fundamental tool required for intentional finances. There are literally thousands of resources available for creating a family financial plan, but putting one in place and sticking to it requires commitment and discipline.
Adequate insurance
What happens to your family financially if your income is lost due to disability or death? Life insurance is particularly important when your household includes a stay-at-home spouse and/or minor children. Young families often overlook purchasing insurance because the future seems boundless and, indeed, the odds are in your favor. But Scripture warns that you should not boast about tomorrow because you cannot know what it will bring (Proverbs 27:1), and a wise steward will ensure that future needs will be met if an unexpected setback should occur.
A legacy of faithfulness
Every adult should have a simple estate plan, but most never quite get around to it. Thinking about your demise can be unpleasant—I certainly get that. But instead of approaching it with dread, think about it in the context of intentionally leaving a powerful legacy. How will you be remembered? How can your influence and testimony live on for generations to come? There are things you can (and should) do today to perpetuate your Godly values tomorrow. A great way to jump-start this process today is with our free online wills planner offered by our planned giving department.
The harsh reality is that if you don’t have these three important tools in place, it’s likely you are not fully providing for your family. Budgets, insurance policies, and estate plans might seem complicated, but they are simple to implement, and an abundance of counselors and professionals is available to help you understand the considerations involved in each. Don’t neglect the responsibility of securing the future of your loved ones!
