How Scripture Can Apply to Government

Replies

Tim

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:25). This is a particularly apt Bible quote that you apply to the budgeting process, and I think I can see why: the process is a complex one, and at first glance it can seem overwhelming. But when one begins to understand its different parts and how they work together, it is like what is written in Romans: all things work together for the good—the catch being that they work together for the good for those who put their faith and love in God. That is an important point to remember in life and in any discussion of budgeting (Stolarczyk, 2019).

The budget cycle is an important process that helps to ensure the financial health of an organization and community. For individuals of faith, this process can also be seen as a way to connect with and show love for God (Bararoh et al., 2019). By understanding the budget cycle and budgeting process, organizations can make more informed choices about their spending and saving habits—all the more important when funds are provided by tax payers. This knowledge can help organizations to better steward their resources and live within their means. Additionally, by staying mindful of the budget cycle, individuals can avoid making impulsive or irresponsible decisions with the money they are supposed to use for the common good. As Proverbs 27:23-24 says, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” In other words, wise financial decisions are key to preserving one's resources over time. Understanding the budget cycle is an important part of wisdom in managing finances.

References

Bararoh, T., Hendrawati, E., & Pramudianti, M. (2019, July). Portrait of Accounting

Based on Pancasila Values. In International Conference on Innovation in Research (ICIIR 2018)–Section: Economics and Management Science (pp. 204-208). Atlantis Press.

Stolarczyk, R. B. (2019). Theological and Financial Integrity in Church Budgeting: A

Study of the Effects of Budget Theory Education Using a Two Kinds of Righteousness Framework. Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project. 120. https://scholar.csl.edu/dmin/120

Allison

This quote from Proverbs 21:5 is excellent and really gets to the heart of how one should approach the budget cycle and budgeting process: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Why is this so apt? Because it explains that one should approach this responsibility of the budget with consideration, careful planning, and diligence—for that is the way to abundance, as Scripture points out. The big problem with our government today, I feel, is that there is too little emphasis given to the wisdom contained in Scripture.

There is no denying that the United States government has a spending problem. In fiscal year 2016, the federal government spent $3.85 trillion, with a deficit of $590 billion. Meanwhile, the national debt currently stands at over $30 trillion (Amadeo, 2022). Clearly, something needs to be done in order to get our nation's finances under control. One possible solution is for our government to look to Scripture for guidance on how to budget more wisely. The Bible contains many verses about the importance of fiscal responsibility, such as Proverbs 22:7, which says, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." If our government leaders would take these words to heart, it could help to change the way they approach budgeting and spending (Sumney, 2020). In addition, the Bible also teaches us about the value of generosity and giving. For example, in Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If our government leaders would prioritize giving and helping those in need, it could lead to more responsible spending overall. Of course, implementing these changes would not be easy. But if we are serious about getting our nation's finances under control, it may be time to start looking to Scripture for guidance.