As young men in today’s society, what is expected of us?? What should we expect of ourselves?? When do we start to grow up??
All of these could have multiple answers, but I’m most interested in the Biblical and financial answers.
In society today, adulthood is a legal age where most opportunistic doors open; when you turn 18, you can get better jobs, start college, leave state boundaries without parental accompaniment, get married, vote, sign your own waivers & contracts, and this list goes on and on.
But that number “18” also opens up more accountability for every action you take; and it adds much more individual responsibility.
All of this fine and good, and a part of growing up: but the key question is, “Am I ready for this?”
The Bible says a lot about the transition from childhood to adulthood; and Proverbs is primarily comprised of the dos and don’ts.
But, much of the preparation and guidelines the Bible gives will require dedication, and the forming of early habits. But most importantly, it will require the self-trained habits and mentality of growing up.
When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- 1 Cor. 13:11
When we are young and mentally immature, we don’t understand things about the adult world; and even if told, we still don’t comprehend them.
I can remember when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11: I was only 7 years old, and I didn’t comprehend the seriousness. I went to my mom, who was then sitting on a chair, and her face looked shocked in disbelief; I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that I should go play with Erika (my sister) for a while. I think I might even remember tears in her eyes when she said that.
See?? I can remember sharp details, and understand now what I couldn’t as a child.
That is the mental difference in children and adults.
But, what the above verse is referring to is the spiritual difference: we all have to choose to grow up, and act like mature adults to function in the adult world.
And when it refers to putting away childish things, it means anything that hinders us, distracts us, or draws us away from that goal (for me, it’s been Xbox. I haven’t played at all in almost 5 weeks, because I am choosing to put away childish distractions. And that’s not to say that I’ll never play a video game again; but I must prioritize.).
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
- Ecc 3:1, 4 & 13
But, most young men make that resolution when they turn 18, or in some cases, even later in their lives. If they wait that long, they’re figuring out how to be a man while the adult world is already zipping by them, full force, and with no quarter.
It’s like beginning college, and going back to do high school at the same time! Which is why we build our academic education sequentially; to make sure we’re prepared for the next step when it arrives. And we should do the very same thing with our Biblical education and personal relationship with God.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
- Pro. 24:27
Prepare your work without: prepare yourself for adulthood now, while you are without the obligations, responsibilities, and the distractions of life. And that still makes sense: if you had a big final coming up, would you rather study in a loud, busy, and distracting environment, one day before the test?? Or someplace where it was quiet, calm, and peaceful, a week prior??
We’re to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for our adult lives, before we reach that point.
If you are pursuing Godly attributes and trying to grow with Him, you’ll gain a lot of maturity from that alone.
But something else that should be taught at a mature age (say, 7th-8th grade), is monetary logic, and what the Bible says about that.
Young men should know the value of money, the drive to work for and earn their own money, and the concepts of budgeting, planning, saving, and tithing.
I’ve done all of the above, and I’ve also ignored all of the above…the former was (and still is) a far better experience and practice.
I started mowing lawns around my neighborhood when I was twelve, and I made a lot of money doing it every year; but, despite constant warning from parents, grandparents, and other adults, I squandered every penny I made (and saved none). Then when I turned 16 and wanted a car, I couldn’t believe how much I WASTED! I thought about the figures in my head, and if I had saved even half of the money I’d made in those past 4 years, I could have bought a car the day I turned 16. It was only then, when the time was already upon me, that I began saving money. And here I am 18, getting my first car (don’t get me wrong, that was probably for the best. But I could have had this sooner if I had prepared in advance, and not been foolish with my hard-earned money).
I had to play “catch up” for the next two years, because I didn’t prepare myself.
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he who regardeth reproof is prudent.
- Pro. 15:5
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
- Pro. 15:32
I was foolish, and refused to listen; and as God warned me, it didn’t benefit me in the least.
God also gives us financial advice too:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer, and gather her food in the harvest.
- Pro. 6:6-8
Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
- Rom. 13:8
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
- Pro. 22:7
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous show mercy and giveth.
- Psalms 37:21
These are just a few of many references the Bible makes to managing finances and money.
And the Bible is very clear about tithing, as well:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
- Mal. 3:10
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and in offerings.
- Mal. 3:8
That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place His name there.
- Deu. 26:2
Just for the record, tithe means “one tenth,” and first fruits refers to your gross income (so ten percent of your paycheck, before saving, before divvying out budget money, before paying bills, etc.). In return God will reward and bless you; it could be through anything: pay raises, lower prices, cashiers giving proper change/returning extra money you miscount, less stress in your job, keep you in good health, etc. (God never specifically said the blessing would be limited to just money. It can be in a monetary, emotional, or spiritual form, as well).
Also clearly stated, not tithing is the same as stealing from God.
But, if you tithe and give offerings, God will bless those acts of obedience and charity (you could even think of it as a guaranteed investment).
And God also promises to protect our finances and well being:
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of thy ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
- Mal 3:11
He layeth up sound wisdon for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
- Pro. 2:7
So God is also offering to protect your hard-earned financial security; and that can be from legal proceedings, bills, expenses, debt, and so forth.
All we have to do is obey, and remain faithful to Him in all things (and part of being faithful is to be constantly striving towards His plans in your life. Bible reading and prayer are BOTH essential for that pursuit).
The sad thing is this: how many young men don’t know this going into adult life??
Even sadder still, how many will never know??
These teenage years of our lives were meant for so much more than partying, playing video games, goofing off, chasing girls, etc. They were placed before us as a clutter-free work space: a time to learn all the skills and attributes we’ll need for adult life as Godly men, and future heads in raising Godly families!
We are the next generation; and we should strive for excellence, and want even better for our future sons and daughters than what we had.
The time to lay the ground-work is now.
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