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iQuestions Faculty, Ron Blue 
 
 
Question: 
 
Is there a right financial lifestyle for a Christian? 
 
Answer: 
 
One of the biggest areas of controversy in the Christian world is, 
“What’s the appropriate lifestyle for a Christian? Is it one of poverty or 
is it one of luxury?” You could make a case, if you will, by taking 
verses out of context and in scripture for each one, but in my 
particular case, what I like to do is I like to go back and look at the 
book of I Timothy and II Timothy, and ask the question, “What does 
Paul have to say about a lifestyle?”  
 
We know that in the book of Philippians, he said, “I’ve learned how to 
live in poverty, and I’ve learned how to live in abundance.” (Philippians 
4:11-12) He didn’t say that either one was right for him, he said he’s 
learned how to live in both.   
 
I think when you look at a lifestyle, there are some characteristics that 
you need to look for as a Christian. Number one, it says in I Timothy 
that “a man is worse than an infidel that does not provide for his 
family.” (I Timothy 5:8) So, one of the characteristics of your lifestyle 
needs to be, “Am I providing?” Now, there’s a fine line between 
providing and protection, but you can answer the question, “What do I 
think is the right provision for my family?” 
 
Secondly, interestingly enough, it says also in I Timothy that “God has 
given us all things to enjoy.” (I Timothy 6:17) And I would ask you, 
“Are you enjoying your lifestyle?” And I can tell you that having a 
bigger lifestyle or a higher lifestyle is not the answer. The answer is, 
 
 
“Am I enjoying the lifestyle that I’m living in now?” because that’s 
biblical. 
 
And then thirdly, and lastly, relative to the lifestyle, is, “Am I content?” 
When I ask myself, “Can I look around me with no envy in my heart? 
Am I content with where I am?” then I know that I am at the right 
place for my lifestyle. A lack of contentment is ungodly, if you will. 
 
So, there’s three ways that you could measure your lifestyle: “Am I 
providing for my family?” “Am I enjoying my lifestyle?” and, “Am I 
content with my lifestyle?” 
 
 
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