4 Bible Verses about Stewardship to Guide Your Christmas Spending

1. Deuteronomy 16:17

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.”

Joyous festivals are mentioned in the Old Testament as times of remembrance and celebration of what God has done. In Deuteronomy 16:16, three feasts are noted:

-The Festival of Unleavened Bread

-The Festival of Weeks

-The Festival of Tabernacles

According to this passage, the Jewish people were required to appear before the Lord three times per year with gifts in hand. However, their gifts were to be “in proportion” to God’s blessings. How thoughtful of the Father to assure His people that He expected nothing more than the first fruits of their abundance.

Although not mentioned in the Bible, Christmas is also a day of remembrance and celebration. Families come together to share a meal, exchange gifts, and remember the miraculous birth of the Savior. But the gifts we bring are often out of proportion with how God has blessed us.

It’s human nature to use times of celebration as an excuse to overindulge, overspend, and overdo. But what if we followed the biblical principle outlined in Deuteronomy 16:17? It would require us to give within our means, stay within our budget, and allow the celebration of God’s goodness to take precedence over material things. What a peaceful way to steward our spending by remaining within God’s proportionate blessing.

2. Malachi 3:10

“'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'”

I remember a couple of Christmases when our kids were little, and I felt embarrassed that I’d purchased some of their gifts from thrift stores. Even though they were thrilled with their “new” toys, I didn’t want friends and family to know we chose frugality over extravagance.

During those lean years, my husband and I could have skipped tithing in order to have a more commercial Christmas, but we’d learned early on that God’s challenge in Malachi 3:10 was real and miraculous, and we didn’t want to miss out on His blessings.

In this post, Sarah Garrett writes, “In the New Testament, Proverbs 3:9-10 states, ‘Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.’ It is clear that blessings and favor are associated with those who tithe, and I have found this to be true in my own life.”

At Christmas, it’s tempting to let the budget fly out the window along with our tithe. We might think, “It’s only for a month or two,” but it doesn’t align with biblical stewardship or trust in God’s faithfulness. Test the Lord in this, and be amazed at how your family still enjoys Christmas without dipping into your tithe and offering. It might be your best Christmas yet!

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/svetikd

3. 2 Corinthians 9:7

“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.”

One year, I was invited to a white elephant Christmas party and jumped at the chance to enjoy a night of fun. However, after I’d already RSVP’d, I got a message from the host asking everyone to bring a new gift costing $30-$40. I felt baffled that repurposed gifts weren’t allowed, and I almost canceled because of it.

Especially at Christmas, we feel pressured to spend because of other’s expectations. It doesn’t make the other person wrong or bad, but it does challenge our emotions behind the gift. If this has been your experience, here are a few ways to remain a cheerful giver while also sticking to your budget:

-In large families, draw names or only buy for the children.

-Insist on homemade gifts between extended family members.

-Have open discussions about expectations, emphasizing the true reason for the season.

-Set healthy boundaries and stick to them with grace and peace.

2 Corinthians 9:7 is a great verse to carry with you this Christmas. Let it strengthen your resolve to give what you’ve decided in your heart without hindering the joy of the celebration. It can be done!

4. 1 Timothy 6:17

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

What I love about this passage is the graciousness of God who richly provides us with enjoyment—apart from material wealth. We don’t have to have the latest toys or gadgets, and our homes don’t have to look like the front page of magazine.

Godly stewardship is available to us because we have a lavish God who gives us good things. Let’s realign our hope this year, looking to the Father who richly blesses us with every Spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:3)

Christmas is a beautiful time of remembrance and celebration. We can enjoy a special meal, fun activities, and meaningful gifts with those we love. But we can also be good stewards of our resources as God has provided.

Spending wisely certainly isn’t easy and takes diligent practice, but the more we do it, the better we get. Be the one who finds those hidden treasures at thrift stores, clips coupons for 30% off, and celebrates this Christmas without regret.

A Prayer for Wise Stewardship This Christmas:

Lord, please help me be wise in my spending this Christmas. Though it’s tempting to buy all the things, give me peace about sticking to a budget and being mindful of every purchase. Help me focus less on materialism and more on the Savior—the best reason to celebrate. Show me how to be a good example to my loved ones as I exemplify Godly stewardship, in Jesus’ holy name, amen.

More Resources for Stewardship at Christmas:

5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Family’s Christmas Celebrations

How to Faithfully Celebrate Christmas in a World of Materialism

How to Manage Financial Stress During the Holidays

Photo credit: Juliana Malta/Unsplash