Having a Christian Worldview Directly Impacts How Young People Manage Their Money, Study Finds

“AdelFi was interested in understanding what differences exist in how younger Christians handle their money compared to non-Christians,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “Christians are much more active in donating their finances and no less active in trying to do good with their spending.”

The research found that two-thirds of Christian young adults are responsible for being good stewards of their finances.

“Most people want to be financially responsible, and most Christian young adults see this as a responsibility that comes with their faith,” McConnell said.

According to Lifeway Research, the average young adult has accounts with 2.4 financial institutions, such as loan or checking accounts. Young adults also own an average of 1.9 credit cards.

About 45 percent of young adults say they track their expenses, and 45 percent say they save for things they want to buy. Another 41 percent said they set a budget.

Less than 30 percent said they often buy things impulsively, and 16 percent get a loan or finance to make purchases.

The study found that a Christian young adult will donate more than three times as much as non-Christians over the course of a year, or about $1,820 compared to $556.

More than 60 percent of Christian young adults said they do not give to a local church, but 56 percent also said that tithing is a biblical commandment.

“One would expect Christians to give more than non-Christians to churches and religious organizations, but they are also more likely to donate to 3 out of 4 other types of recipients,” McConnell said. “While overall the financial generosity of Christian young adults is very noticeable, there remains a large group who don’t practice their belief in the need to give to a local church.”

Other findings of the study include:

• Christians are more likely to give to a GoFundMe crowdfunding effort and non-religious charities or education groups.
• About 74 percent of Christian young adults say they are more likely than non-Christians (68 percent) to say it’s important to regularly volunteer.
• In the past year, about 70 percent of Christians gave compared to just 55 percent of non-Christians.

Related:

Young People of Faith Are Less Anxious than Nonreligious Young People, New Study Shows

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Deagreez

Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.