Whatever you call it, it’s true that there is no separating the heart of the steward from their spending practices. What we do with money is a reflection of what we worship.

Often relegated to a children’s lesson, Jonah, the Old Testament prophet, shows us two distinct examples of the fundamental financial truth: spending decisions are spiritual decisions.

JONAH’S FIRST SPENDING DECISION

A SMALL-TOWN PROPHET from the northern kingdom of Israel, Jonah lived in a time of relative prosperity during the reign of Jeroboam II. We first meet Jonah in the book of 2 Kings when God sends a message of coming political and financial blessing through Jonah to the Israelites. The “coast of Israel was restored” to the Hebrews (2 Kings 14:25), and Jonah was more than willing to share this prophecy with his people.

God’s next mission for Jonah, the one he is famous for in Jonah chapter 1, wasn’t a message for his fellow Hebrews, but for fierce enemies. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” — Jonah 1:2 (NKJV)

Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was a prospering metropolis in its own right. It had a robust economy made possible by major trade routes passing through it. The city had financial wealth, fortified walls, the conveniences and technologies of affluence, and notorious military might. Unfortunately, the city was inhabited by wicked men known for treating their enemies brutally, including the nation of Israel. Jonah decided he would rather risk his life than to see his enemies redeemed.

“But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” — Jonah 1:3 (NKJV)

This ride stands out for one specific reason: Jonah paid the fare. When God called Jonah to Nineveh, 550 miles northeast in modern-day Iraq, Jonah purchased a ship ride to Tarshish, in modern-day Spain, 2,500 miles due west. His spiritual decision was 3,000 miles off the mark and as far away from God’s call as Jonah could get. Jonah didn’t get that far away on a cheap fare.

It’s here we see the first evidence that spending decisions are truly spiritual decisions: Jonah paid the fare—a spending decision—because he was fleeing the LORD’s presence—a spiritual decision. His deliberate disobedience came at great personal expense as Jonah ran away from God’s call on his life. He was financially invested in his spiritual disobedience.

THERE IS NO SEPARATING THE HEART OF THE STEWARD FROM THEIR SPENDING PRACTICES. WHAT WE DO WITH MONEY IS ALWAYS A REFLECTION OF WHAT WE WORSHIP.

THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE

GOD SENT A GREAT WIND to change Jonah’s mind—and his course. However, before the storm caught Jonah’s attention it terrified his fellow mariners. They began throwing valuable cargo overboard to lighten the load in an attempt to save their lives (Jonah 1:5).

The destruction of the merchants’ cargo is the second financial implication of Jonah’s rebellion. Those in his vicinity suffered financial loss at Jonah’s deliberate disobedience.

Meanwhile, Jonah slept soundly through the mariners’ fearful distress (and financial loss) as the consequences of his sin whirled around them. That’s the nature of sin: for a fleeting moment, it lulls and comforts us until we are awakened by its devastating effects. For Jonah, that awakening came at the hands of his fellow mariners who questioned him, realized he was responsible for the storm’s wrath, and reluctantly cast him into the raging sea.

JONAH’S SECOND SPENDING DECISION

THE PROPHET WAS SWALLOWED by a great fish, and the Lord had his full attention.

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me.” — Jonah 2:7 (NKJV) God’s original intention was for Jonah to “cry out against” the city of Ninevah—instead, he cried out “because of (his) affliction.” Jonah 2:4 says, “Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight.’”

The most painful recognition for Jonah wasn’t the physical pain of his circumstances and certainly not the financial cost he paid; rather, it was the spiritual pain that his sin had separated him from the Lord. Don’t miss the irony: when Jonah was cast out of God’s sight in Jonah 2:4, he was exactly where he wanted to be in the first place—away “from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3).

Sometimes it’s painful to get what we wish for. If Jonah’s affections had been right from the start, he would have been spared the spiritual and physical affliction, not to mention the financial expense.

During his three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah recognized his only means of salvation and repented. Jonah submitted to God’s authority and fulfilled the calling the Lord had given him. “But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” — Jonah 2:9 (NKJV)

Jonah would pay what he vowed and “sacrifice to [God] with the voice of thanksgiving.” Jonah paid the Lord with his submission, obedience, follow-through, and thankful sacrifice. Once again, we see that our spending decisions are spiritual decisions.

OUR SPENDING STORY

SIMILAR TO JONAH’S CALL to take the word of the Lord to Nineveh, God has called each of us to bring the good news of the Lord’s salvation. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” — Matthew, 28:19-20a (NKJV)

For each of us, this calling will be reflected in our spending decisions. Take a look at your checkbook register, credit card statement, or mobile pay transactions. What story does your spending tell?

• Have you prayerfully budgeted a spending Plan?
• Are you making wise spending decisions related to lifestyle expenses?
• Are you consistently and generously supporting the weak and vulnerable?
• Are you supporting your local church through tithes and offerings?

OUR FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP CAN BLESS OTHERS AND REFLECT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO NEED HIM MOST.

Our financial choices have the ability to harm others (just look at the unintended consequences Jonah’s rebellion inflicted on the mariners), but our faithful stewardship can bless others and reflect Christ.

OUR SPENDING REVEALS WHAT WE TRULY VALUE. WILL WE CLING TO OUR OWN PREFERENCES, OR REFLECT GOD’S GENEROUS HEART?

GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

IT WAS THE GOODNESS OF GOD that prevented Jonah from sailing all the way to Tarshish. When he repented, God still had a mission for him. It wasn’t too late to take God’s message to Nineveh,

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.” — Jonah 3:1-3 Jonah’s God is the God of second chances. God gave Jonah a second chance. God gave Nineveh a second chance. And God gives us second chances, promising that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

While the Ninevites turned from their evil ways at Jonah’s message, the story doesn’t end with great success, as the book concludes with God exposing Jonah’s selfish heart. What is fascinating, however, is that throughout his journey God used money to reflect Jonah’s spiritual highs and lows. In the same way, for better or worse, our spending decisions reflect our spiritual decisions.

This article was published in our Faithful Steward magazine, a quarterly publication filled with encouraging stories, biblical teaching, and practical tools to help you grow as a wise and joyful giver. If you'd like to begin receiving Faithful Steward, consider becoming a FaithFi partner.