Many of us worry about money. From the rollercoaster stock market to the financial meltdowns in Europe, we have lost faith in financial institutions.

With large-scale unemployment and home foreclosures, we often dread the future.

In these uncertain times, many are turning to the Bible and wondering how our faith influences our finances. Two recent books tell us what the Bible says about money.

In “Jesus and Money: A Guide for Times of Financial Crisis,” Ben Witherington presents a comprehensive examination of biblical teaching about property and riches.

More of a systematic theology on wealth in the Bible than a how-to manual on improving our finances, Witherington begins with creation. All things belong to God with humanity as God’s appointed stewards over the earth. As a result, we are called to use these resources for the benefit of others.

Witherington works through the pages of the Bible, tackling difficult Scriptures that speak to wealth, money and prosperity, and challenges us to rethink the way that we view “our” possessions.

His treatment of the socio-economic conditions of the Bible is fascinating. In the Old Testament period, wealth was not measured in money but instead through land and herds. From Israel to Jesus, most made their living off the land, making them dependent upon God for survival.

Unfortunately, the wealthy often prospered at the expense of the poor. High taxes and rampant corruption burdened the needy. After paying taxes to Rome, local authorities and the temple, the average family barely eked out a living.

Witherington’s major focus aims at deconstructing the “health-and-wealth gospel.” He holds that its proponents take Scripture out of context, argue that God wants us to be prosperous yet ignore the passages about trusting in God for daily bread. Biblically, wealth does not necessarily equate to godliness.

Jesus does want us to be rich, but rich in the love of God and service for others, Witherington writes. We are called to selfless giving, taking care of those less fortunate without any thought of return.

Just as the early church took care of all who had need, we too are called to be generous, to provide for widows and orphans and to take care of the less fortunate without any thought of return.

The most important question to ask is, “What would God have me do with this property that he has blessed me with?”

In essence, no follower of Christ should be left in need. Witherington calls this “Communitarianism,” when our sense of connection and obligation to our brothers and sisters, and to Christ, is so strong that we want to meet their needs and help them prosper. This stewardship is not a handout but an offering to God.

The final chapter takes up “deprogramming” ourselves from our culture. He argues we have simply “baptized” materialism in order to make ourselves feel better. He challenges us to differentiate between necessities and luxuries, and calls us to live within our means.

While Witherington’s book is an excellent theological resource, it provides little practical application, leaving us asking, “How can we begin to live within our means so that we can give our finances over to God?”

In “The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom,” Michelle Singletary provides practical tips on controlling our spending and getting our finances in order by calling us to change our financial habits so that we can be better stewards and live below our means.

The central theme of the book is a 21-day fast from shopping, using credit and debit cards and dining out. She urges us to change the way that we view our money. She recommends replacing our anxiety about our own prosperity and our sense of entitlement with an acknowledgement of our blessings. We should not only strive for financial security but also use that security to bless someone else.

Singletary walks readers through making a practical budget, saving for the future and paying off debts. She also challenges us to bless the church and the needy through giving and mentoring others who struggle financially.

After the fast is over, Singletary challenges us to track our spending for 30 days in order to identify the destructive trends that derail our financial prosperity. Although this may be a struggle, it will profit those who choose to participate.

Readers may tend to focus on the term “prosperity,” found throughout the book. Although Singletary focuses on tithing and helping others, there still seems to be an underlying focus that we are trying to help ourselves prosper. The danger lies in trying to improve our financial picture for our own benefit rather than to give God glory and be good stewards.

As a campus minister, I frequently talk with students and young adults who fret about their future. Many worry about the lack of jobs and school debt. Older church members face similar circumstances.

Witherington provides the theological reasons, and Singletary offers the practical methods to help us see ourselves as stewards, change to live within or below our means, rise to serve others and recognize our blessings.

Tough economic times come and go, but God is constant, and he will see us through.

DANIEL McGRAW is a campus minister at Southside Church of Christ in Lawrence, Kan., and hopes to plant churches in the future.