Do You Need a Financial Fast?
Fasting is the process of abstaining from food for a specific purpose such as: grieving, seeking God’s wisdom, repentance, worship, etc.
I used to think fasting could only be done with food. After all, it's really the only example we see in scripture (i.e. Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness). I also thought it was only to be done during Lent, the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter that’s dedicated towards reflection and preparation of Christ’s death and resurrection.
As I’ve grown, I learned a couple of things. The original fast was done with food but it’s since expanded to encompass more things in our modern society such as social media, technology/screen time, alcohol, sugar, etc.
Fasting with food is still very effective, and I don’t discount it, since it appeals to our very basic and physical needs. Also, fasting isn’t only limited to a specific time of year, such as Lent, but rather it should be done as often as possible.
Yes, God created things for us to enjoy BUT a conscious effort to forego something to draw nearer to God is of eternal benefit.
Fasting has become trendy in our current culture and primarily done for the material benefit. Take intermittent fasting for example (which I’m a fan of), most people partake in order to lose weight.
As Christians our fasting should be done for our spiritual benefit. Through our biblical worldview, fasting was designed to create space for intimacy and dependence on God. It was an act designed to trust and have faith in God rather than to please Him.
You may have fasted before but have you done a financial fast?
What Is a Financial Fast?
Taking the concept of traditional fasting (abstaining from food) and applying it to our personal finances. Financial fasting is the act of refraining from buying anything that isn’t an absolute necessity.
Now everyone will define “necessity” a little differently but everyone’s core necessities (shelter, food, utilities, etc.) should be the same. Also, because everyone is different you may have additional necessities (prescriptions, vision, health, etc.). You’ll have to use your own discretion. Regardless, it's surprising how little we actually need.
Another take would be to fast from the excess, or luxury, of the items that we do actually need. Do we need to pay for the prepared food or can we make it ourselves? Do we need the name brand item or can we get away with an off brand or generic label?
A general example of a financial fast would be to forgo spending on dining out, entertainment, trips/vacations, convenience purchases, and wants for a specific period of time.
Need to start smaller? Try fasting from specific companies that are tempting in nature such as Target or Amazon and then expand upon that.
Why Should We Do It?
Because Jesus said to. To fast that is.
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Notice how Jesus said “when” and not “if”.
So we know we should be fasting, but why a financial fast?
I think we should be mindful of the areas in our life that we need to fast from in order to bring our focus, faith, and dependence back to God.
Personal Finance, and money in general, is one of those areas that slowly pull us away from trusting in God if we’re not careful. It shifts us from trusting God to trusting in ourselves.
I know this because I’ve felt it. I battle the constant desire to trust money, possessions, and experiences over God. Money, and our personal finances for that matter, is one of the most subtle ways we find ourselves making our self our own god. It’s because we can exercise immense control with our personal finances.
Fasting with our finances is way to recalibrate where our true treasure lies.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
There are several reasons to fast but the most important is creating intimacy with God. I particularly like this article about why we should fast. When it’s all said and done, it’s about creating space for God to change our heart.
It pushes us towards repentance and consequently towards belief. I love that a financial fast can potentially reveal a Kairos moment within your personal finances.
The Benefits
I’ve mostly already talked about the spiritual benefits of doing a financial fast but what are the other benefits?
There are many material benefits to a financial fast but they shouldn’t be our primary motive. I want to be very clear on that.
Spending Less
One benefit of a financial fast is probably the first thing you think of, spending less money. Or put another way, you have more money in your bank account at the end of the fast. This extra money can be used to move us closer to our goals and what’s most important. Also, maybe during the fast God revealed how He wants you to allocate some of that money.
Fiscal Sobriety
Another benefit is complete fiscal sobriety. Think about it. When you fast from everything that’s non-essential you’re sobering yourself from all outside influence (i.e. advertising, friends and family, routine and habits, etc.).
You will no longer be operating under that influence. With this sobriety comes clarity. Clarity over the past, present, and future. Use this time to determine what’s most valuable and what stewardship looks like for you in the future.
Humility
The last benefit is that it humbles us. Humility is one of those characteristics that we can quickly depart from, especially in our culture.
A financial fast is a great reminder of how little we actually need and that everything we have is God’s. This sense of humility shifts our perspective from being inwardly focused to outwardly focused. How can we use what God’s given us to be a great steward? How can we use what we have to benefit others?
If this is a journey that you feel called to embark upon then I encourage you to determine the details of your fast (time period, what exactly your fasting from, etc.) and invite accountability into this process with you.
Just like everything else, it’s important to have a strategic plan going into your fast so that you may benefit as much as possible from it.
Remember, a financial fast has the opportunity to produce both spiritual and financial benefits.
Godspeed!
