Saving is hard.
And saving for a day you may not even live to see can feel even harder.
But let me tell you the truth: living through an emergency with no money is the hardest thing you will ever do.
That kind of pressure doesn’t just hit your bank account. It hits your peace. It hits your relationships. It hits your faith. And it often pushes people into decisions they never planned to make—credit card debt, loans, early withdrawals, and financial stress that lasts far longer than the emergency itself.
If you’ve ever looked around and thought you were behind… if you’ve ever felt guilty about money… or if you’ve ever wondered, “Why is this so hard?”—you are not alone.
Even successful people make financial mistakes. Even pastors make financial mistakes. Even millionaires make financial mistakes.
The good news is this: if they can recover and rebuild, so can you.
In this post, I’m going to break down two of the biggest financial mistakes Christians make and how to correct them with wisdom, discipline, and a plan you can actually follow.
Scripture for Christian Financial Discipline
Romans 8:8 — “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
This verse isn’t here to condemn you. It’s here to challenge you.
The flesh wants comfort right now.
The flesh avoids discipline.
The flesh says, “I’ll deal with it later.”
But later always shows up… with interest.
Faith-based financial planning is about learning how to shift from short-term impulses into long-term stewardship—so you can protect your family, reduce financial anxiety, and build a stable future.
Mistake #1: Not Contributing to Your Company’s 401k
We’ve all experienced that first paycheck moment.
You calculate your hourly rate. Multiply it by your hours. You already know what you’re “supposed” to bring home. Then you look at your check and think:
“Who is FICA? My name is John. And why did they take so much of my money?!” 😂
What is FICA?
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It’s a payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare, and it’s deducted from every paycheck.
And after seeing those deductions, a lot of people make a decision that costs them years later:
“I’m holding onto what I have left. I’m never investing another penny.”
Stop. Don’t do that.
Because the 401k is one of the easiest ways to start building wealth—especially when your employer offers a match.
Why a 401k Match is “Free Money”
Many employers match your 401k contributions. For example:
- You contribute 4% of your paycheck
- Your employer contributes 4%
- You instantly doubled what went into your retirement account
That’s not a stock pick.
That’s not market timing.
That’s stewardship.
If your employer matches and you aren’t contributing enough to get the match, you are leaving money on the table.
Christian Investor Checklist Before You Start
Before you “max out” your 401k, make sure you understand what you’re doing. Here are a few faith-based financial planning questions you should ask:
1) Is this truly retirement money?
Most 401k plans have penalties for early withdrawals before age 59½, although there are exceptions. The key is not to treat retirement accounts like a savings account.
2) Do you have high-interest debt?
If you’re paying 18%–28% on credit cards, you may need to stabilize your foundation first. A financial plan isn’t about doing one thing—it’s about doing the right thing in the right order.
3) What is your employer match and plan structure?
Not all 401k plans are equal. Ask HR for a copy of your benefits package and find out:
- Match percentage
- Vesting schedule
- Investment options
- Fees
The earlier you start investing, the better. But starting early with a plan is better than starting early with confusion.
Mistake #2: Not Having an Emergency Fund
You’re living life. Everything feels fine.
Until something breaks.
A tire blows out.
A medical bill hits.
Your car needs repairs.
A job situation changes.
And suddenly you’re looking at a bill you didn’t expect—and you don’t have cash to cover it.
So you do what most people do:
You swipe the credit card.
Then you pay the minimum.
Then you miss a payment.
Then the fees stack up.
Now your $200 emergency becomes $245… then $300… and for some people it turns into years of debt.
This is how most credit card debt begins:
People pay today’s emergencies with tomorrow’s money.
Why an Emergency Fund Is Biblical Wisdom
An emergency fund is not fear.
It’s not a lack of faith.
It’s preparedness.
An emergency fund helps you avoid:
- debt cycles
- panic decisions
- early 401k withdrawals
- borrowing from family
- stress spending
When you have emergency money, you can respond with peace instead of panic.
How Much Emergency Fund Should Christians Save?
There is no one-size-fits-all number, but here’s a practical way to get started:
Step 1: Calculate monthly living expenses
Include:
- housing
- utilities
- food
- transportation
- insurance
- debt minimums
Step 2: Consider dependents and household income
The number of dependents and income earners changes how much cushion you need.
Step 3: Choose a percentage to save
A powerful habit is saving a percentage instead of a fixed dollar amount.
Professional tip:
You may not always have $20, but you will always have 5% of something.
That consistency builds discipline—and discipline builds confidence.
General guideline:
6–9 months of living expenses is a strong target for many households, depending on job stability and responsibilities.
The Risk People Forget: Inflation
Too much cash sitting still can create another problem: inflation risk (also called purchasing power risk).
Inflation risk means the cost of goods goes up, and your money buys less.
So yes—cash provides stability. But you also want your money to grow over time through a balanced plan.
This is why we don’t build financial freedom with extremes.
We build it with wisdom, balance, and consistency.
Before You Chase the Next “Hot Investment”
Before you jump into:
- the hottest stock
- a new crypto trend
- a “guaranteed” opportunity
- something a social media guru is hyping
Ask yourself:
- Do I have emergency money?
- Is my debt under control?
- Am I building on a strong foundation?
Opportunity without a foundation is risk disguised as faith.
Christian Finance: Flesh vs. Spirit
Paul describes life as divided between the flesh and the Spirit.
Your finances are divided too:
Nice-to-have vs. Have-to-have
- Netflix is nice-to-have
- Three pairs of shoes is nice-to-have
- Food delivery every week is nice-to-have
But these are have-to-have:
- providing for your family
- living with peace
- having emergency money
- building a future with wisdom
The flesh chases comfort now.
The Spirit builds stewardship for later.
Conclusion: The Good News
If you’ve made these mistakes, you’re not broken. You’re not behind forever. You’re not disqualified.
You just need a plan.
Start with:
- Contribute enough to get your employer match
- Build your emergency fund
- Then grow into a full strategy with confidence
You can still build a stable life.
You can still become financially disciplined.
You can still become rich and righteous.
Prayer for Financial Peace
Lord, remove anxiety from my life as I shift from a mind of the flesh to a mind of the Spirit. Help me forgive myself for past mistakes. Give me wisdom and discipline. I trust Your provision and I will not lean on my own understanding. Guide my steps toward righteousness—for myself and for those I love. Amen.
Ready for a Clear Financial Plan?
If you want help reviewing your 401k options, building an emergency fund plan, and creating a strategy that aligns with your values, schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
About the Author
A.B. Ridgeway, CPWA® is the founder of A.B. Ridgeway Wealth Management and host of The Ridgeway Report. He specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees create reliable income, invest with clarity, and make confident financial decisions.
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About The Ridgeway Report:
As Christians, we were taught to be good stewards over our tithing and giving to the less fortunate. But when it came to our personal finances and investing we were left clueless on what the Bible says. What does the Bible say about managing debt, leaving a legacy, investing, and planning for your retirement? Mr. Christian Finance answers these and many other questions because we want to teach you how to become rich and righteous!
Meet A.B. Ridgeway:
A.B. Ridgeway, MBA, CPWA®️ (info@abrwealthmanagement.com) is the owner and Christian Financial Advisor with A.B. Ridgeway Wealth Management. With a decade in the finance industry, his goal is to give believers clarity around the most confusing topic in the Bible, money, and tithing. A.B. Ridgeway helps tithing Christians become cheerful givers but unlocking their money-making potential, so they can prosper and be the great stewards of the wealth God has entrusted them with.
*Disclaimer: This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of any description of securities, markets or developments mentioned. This is strictly for information purposes. We recommend you speak with a professional financial advisor.
