Buying a house is an exciting milestone in life, but also a major financial decision that requires wisdom and discernment. As Christians, we want to make wise choices that honor God. So what guidance does the Bible offer about buying a house? There are several biblical principles that can inform our approach to this big purchase.
Key Takeaways:
- Seek godly wisdom when making major decisions
- Consider both your current needs and future plans
- Make sure you can afford the financial obligation
- Do not fall into debt through impulsive buying
- Look for a home that facilitates hospitality and community
- Trust God to provide and direct you to the right home
- Care for your home as a blessing and responsibility from God
Seek Godly Wisdom
The book of Proverbs extols the value of wisdom, especially when making major life decisions: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding” (Proverbs 3:13). Buying a home is certainly a decision that calls for discernment and God’s guidance.
Before even beginning your home search, pause to seek the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to guide your steps and grant wisdom and clarity (James 1:5). Pray through each aspect of the decision – your budget, location, timing, etc. Ask trusted friends and family to pray for you as well. As Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Input from godly loved ones can protect you from poor decisions.
Throughout the home buying process, continually seek the Lord. Look for His leading in practical matters like financing, but also listen for His still, small voice guiding you. If something does not feel right or sit well spiritually, pay attention to those checkmarks. God promises wisdom to those who earnestly seek it.
Consider Current & Future Needs
One key aspect of wise decision making is considering both your present circumstances and future plans. As 1 Corinthians 14:40 advises, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Take stock of your current housing needs. How much space do you require? What features and amenities would serve your lifestyle? Factor in the needs of all family members who would live in the home.
At the same time, prayerfully look ahead 3-5 years down the road. Do you hope to start a family? Need space for aging parents? Work from home? Envision how your needs might change, and select a home that can accommodate future life stages, if possible. As Jesus said, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). Carefully assessing needs now and for the foreseeable future will ensure your home purchase aligns with God’s plan for you.
Make Sure You Can Afford It
One of the most important considerations when buying a home is determining what price range you can responsibly afford. The Bible warns frequently against falling into debt through lack of foresight or self-discipline. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). While a mortgage is necessary and reasonable for most home buyers, we must not overextend and put ourselves in financial bondage.
Before even looking at houses, get clear on your budget. Seek the counsel of financial advisors and mortgage lenders to understand your options. Be realistic about your current income and obligations. Add a buffer for unexpected costs and repairs. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Follow a careful plan in determining how much house you can afford.
Be sure to build savings and establish a healthy down payment as well. Do not attempt to buy a home with no savings cushion to handle emergencies. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). Like ants store up for future needs, we should plan ahead and save for major purchases.
Do Not Buy on Impulse
In our instant-gratification culture, it is tempting to make spur-of-the-moment decisions, especially when caught up in the excitement of buying a home. But the Bible exhorts us to steady patience, not hasty impulse, when making weighty choices. “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). Foolish decisions often result when we rush into home buying without diligent research, counsel, and most importantly, prayer.
Do not let the euphoria of finding a home you love push you past good judgment. Negotiate cautiously and keep your head about you. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure” (Proverbs 4:25-26). Keep looking straight ahead at the long-term ramifications of this purchase, not simply the emotions of the moment.
Likewise, do not let fear drive you to buy a home impetuously. Perhaps you worry about being priced out of the market or missing your dream home. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Proverbs 29:25). Counter anxious thoughts with prayer and trust in God’s providence. The right home at the right time will not be missed.
Consider Hospitality & Community
Another helpful consideration when buying a home is how well it allows you to fulfill biblical exhortations towards hospitality and community. 1 Peter 4:9 says, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling,” while Romans 12:13 tells us to “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” The home we choose can greatly impact our ability to welcome guests, host gatherings, and care for other believers.
Look for a home with space to entertain, like a living room or dining room where you can invite folks over for meals and bible studies. Having an extra bedroom to offer out-of-town guests is also a great asset for a hospitable home. And consider proximity to your Christian community as well. A longer commute to church events may hinder your involvement and hospitality.
Our homes are not just for us, but are resources for God’s kingdom! As we are able, purchasing a home suited for hospitality, fellowship, and service enables us to freely share these blessings as Scripture instructs.
Trust God’s Provision
For Christians seeking to buy a home, one of the most important principles is simply trusting God to provide for and lead us. We can become so anxious thinking we have to figure everything out ourselves – the right location, financing, timing and more. But Scripture calls us to release that burden to the Lord.
Proverbs 16:9 assures us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Make diligent plans and preparations, but realize it is God who ultimately directs our paths. So if a home you love does not work out, trust that God has something better. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Release your preferred timelines to God’s sovereign purpose.
2 Corinthians 9:8 further promises: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” As you seek a home to flourish in, have faith that at the right time, God will supply your needs abundantly. He knows what you require materially and spiritually far better than you do.
Buying a home can be a complex process, but we serve the all-knowing, almighty God! “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). Trust Him fully to give you the good gift of the perfect home at the perfect time.
Care for Your Home
Once you have purchased a home, you have the responsibility to steward it well as a blessing from God. After the Israelites were delivered from slavery and established in the Promised Land, they were each given a family property that was meant to be retained permanently. In Leviticus 25, the Lord commands them to properly care for these family homes they had received.
Likewise, we must not take for granted or neglect the homes God has given us. Maintain your home diligently – keep it clean, make repairs, and make improvements where prudent. Think of yourself as a steward, not just an owner. Manage and maintain your dwelling so it retains its value and can be passed down or used by others after you.
Caring for your home also involves graciously welcoming others into it. I already mentioned hospitality, but also consider sharing your home as God leads – take in traveling missionaries, invite those without family over for holidays, host a struggling neighbor for a season. God can use your home not just for your comfort, but to bless others. As His stewards, keep an open hand.
Of course, balanced perspective is key. Our true home is in heaven with God, as Philippians 3:20 reminds us – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Do not become overly attached to or dependent on your earthly house. Yet responsibly stewarding property God provides is pleasing in His sight.
Conclusion
I hope these biblical principles give helpful guidance on buying a home! Pursue God’s wisdom, assess your needs diligently, count the cost, resist impulse, consider hospitality, trust God’s provision, and care for your house once purchased. Home ownership can be a wondrous gift, but also a great responsibility. Look to Scripture for the insights you need to make a God-honoring decision that leads to flourishing. With the Lord’s help, your home can become a place of abundant blessing, fellowship, and growth!
