As we start another year, the Apostle Paul offers very clear instruction:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2 HCSB

Written so long ago – how do we apply this in our day? No doubt it is much easier to conform to this age because it takes more of an effort to be transformed. It takes intentionality to be transformed because what comes naturally is being conformed to what is around us (this age or the world around us).

The renewal of the mind is the key, meaning we must intentionally have things enter our mind to bring transformation. This begs the question: what is entering our minds? What we read, listen to, watch or in essence, what we consume on a regular basis shapes our thinking.

A deeper question then becomes: What is the source of the things we consume (what we read, hear and watch)? Clearly what Paul is saying here is that the source of what we consume is more important than we might realize because it determines if we are conforming to this age or being transformed! Transformation happens only when the mind is renewed by a source other than “this age.”

It is vital for every Christian to “be transformed” because it is only then we become capable of discerning “what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” in every aspect of our lives.

Let’s practically apply this in our finances: If you receive an increase in your annual pay for the next year, what will you do with that increase?

The most natural response is to increase your lifestyle, since you can now afford it a little better. You can also choose to pay down debt, or save this amount for a short or long term goal. Another option would be to give some or all of this pay increase to a charity of choice. I’ve listed these in this order based on two things: the first being my experience with clients as a financial advisor, but secondly on “this age” which typically shapes our financial decision making. You will likely agree that it is “this age” that influences the choices we make.

Let me echo the instruction of Paul here: “Do not be conformed to this age” or as it relates to our finances, do not increase your standard of living, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” meaning our thinking is changed, even reversed, so we choose to increase our standard of giving.

God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

Randy Alcorn