Talking about money has become a taboo subject. With the challenges people have encountered during the last two years, it is becoming even more difficult to discuss. Despite our reluctance to talk about the subject, finances are often at the forefront of everyone’s minds. 

I recently sent out a survey to young adults finding out what their biggest concerns were. One of the top three subjects was finances. From student loan debt to savings, many young adults want to know how to be financially secure. 

Pastors and leaders should be talking to the next generation as to why handling money is an important part of the Christian faith. 

Below are three areas we need to discuss with young adults when it comes to finances.

Stewardship

Before we even talk about saving money, giving tithes, or paying off debt, we need to prioritize talking about stewardship. An important aspect of our walk with Christ is learning to manage the money He has given us. 

Young adults need to understand they are stewards of God’s money. Everything we have — money included — belongs to the Lord. Instead of viewing money as something we attained, we must see it as God’s. 

The Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14–30) reminds us how important it is to take care of what we have been entrusted. Verse 29 says, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

An important aspect of our walk with Christ is learning to manage the money He has given us.

Although our world operates around money, young adults must recognize they cannot let it replace their trust in God. Becoming dependent on money can take precedence over a relationship with the Lord. 

Making decisions based on the fear of losing money can lead to having more faith in our finances than God. 

When talking about stewardship, we must emphasize that it is not just about earning money. It is about using finances for God’s kingdom. Be sure to ask the young adults you are mentoring how they spend their money. When they create a budget, it will help them see where every penny goes.

Tithes

Many Christians believe in tithing, but not all put it into practice. Although most evangelical Protestants say tithing is a biblical commandment, only 13% engage in the practice, according to a recent study by Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts.

With the economic difficulties many young adults have encountered, the last thing they want to discuss is tithing. But tithing is an essential part of our Christian walk. 

Young adults must understand we give back 10% of our income because it is God’s to begin with. We need to be able to connect why one gives to Scripture. 

Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” Tithing was not the last thought; it was the first of one’s wealth. In Genesis 14:20, we read how Abram gave a 10th of everything. Leviticus 27:30–33 indicates how everything belongs to the Lord. 

I have heard numerous stories (young adults included) of how God has blessed people because of their commitment to tithe. These are the testimonies we need to share with young adults. 

Ultimately, tithing is a matter of the heart. While God can bless us when we tithe, we should do it to honor the Lord. The first line item on a young adult’s budget should be their tithes.

Giving

We must understand young adults may be apprehensive in giving to churches because they do not know how their money will be used. This is a generation that gives to organizations reflecting their social values.

Young people crave honesty. They no longer give to their churches because it has been taught them, young adults give to causes that align with their values and do work they think important. 

The more transparent we are with young adults, the more they may be willing to support our churches. We must make sure the motivation to teach them generosity is right by showing why it is essential to our Christian faith. 

As 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Generosity matters because God’s blessings are not meant to flow to us. They should flow through us. If we are not prepared to be generous, we can miss out on the blessings of investing in others.

Our abundance — financial, physical, influential, or technical — is not for our own benefit. It is intended for those God has entrusted to us. 

Giving should not be done out of obligation. Instead, it should be done out of gratitude for God’s blessings. 

The more we focus on being generous, the more we will discover how much God has given to us. We learn to be less selfish and to cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility.