You may be shocked to learn that most Americans spend more time shopping for a vehicle or planning a vacation than researching the investment choices in their retirement plans. Then again, picking a personal financial advisor doesn’t have to be an onerous task – and neither does getting solid financial planning advice.

If you’re just getting started with financial planning, need a midcourse adjustment, or simply want inspiration to continue reaping the financial seeds you’ve been sowing, look no further than the Bible. You’ll find all the financial wisdom you need.

Think of the Bible as your Financial Planning 101 textbook. Many of the financial woes Americans face – crippling debt, retirement nest egg shortfalls, and lack of progress toward savings goals – can be addressed by Biblically-based financial lessons.

Here are seven principles to guide you in discovering budgeting breakthroughs, getting out of debt, merging finances with your spouse, and building other healthy financial habits.

  1. God Is the Source. Scripture is your invitation to receive God’s blessings, act as a wise financial steward of His riches and build a secure financial future. (1 Chron. 29:11-16). The more than 2,000 verses about money are there for a reason
    .Give to Honor Him. Tithing, or the act of setting aside one-tenth of your income, is a systematic way of giving. (1 Cor. 16:2)
  3. Live within Your Means. Living within margins creates space for things to happen – something too many Americans can’t do. (Prov. 22:26-27) The average household has $130,922 in debt — $15,762 of it on credit cards.
     
  4. Make Saving a Priority. Setting aside a percentage of what you earn also is part of stewardship and will allow you to meet planned expenses – buying a car, sending kids to college, or retiring comfortably – and unplanned, such as losing a job or facing major medical bills. (2 Cor. 12:14)
     
  5. Stay out of Debt. The Bible warns about the risks of going into debt. Although some debt enables you to attain goals, such as a student loan or a mortgage, most debt counters what God wants for you. (Deut. 15:6 and Ecc. 5:5)
     
  6. Be Content. Minimalism is emerging as an antidote for rampant consumerism and busyness. Well before the mantra to "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without” emerged, Scripture outlined lessons for learning how to find contentment in what we have. (Heb. 13:5)
     
  7. Write It Down. Whether you take pen to paper, use financial planning software, or record everything in a financial app, making – and sticking to – a budget allows you to allocate resources efficiently and build a financial plan. (Luke 14:28-30)

Although the Bible offers financial lessons for living year-round, spring is a great time to clean the house and get your financial affairs in order. (Good news: No mop required.)