Fasting financially this Lent

Mar 22, 2025

Faith and Finance - Hazel Ong-Archibald
We have reached the Third Sunday of Lent, a milestone in our journey of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. By now, many of us have hopefully found a steady rhythm — whether it is through personal sacrifice, deeper prayer, or acts of generosity. Families in our BECs are gathering to pray the Way of the Cross, and many have sought the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

However, if you feel you haven’t fully embraced the Lenten spirit yet, do not be discouraged. Lent is not about perfect execution but about renewal — both spiritually and practically. God does not seek perfection but transformation. There is still time to recalibrate, reflect, and make this season meaningful.

Interestingly, this year, we share a unique sense of solidarity with our Muslim brethren. As we observe Lent, they are observing Ramadan — a season of fasting and reflection. For me personally, I felt united with many of my Muslim friends and colleagues.

Both our faiths emphasise self-discipline, sacrifice, and generosity. This parallel reminds us that fasting, whether from food or material comforts, is not meant to deprive us but to refine us.

While Lent is often associated with spiritual cleansing, what if we also used this time for financial renewal? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:21:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” A modern take on this might be: “Show me where you spend your money, and I’ll show you what matters most to you.”

This Lent, let us not only examine our spiritual lives but also our financial habits. How we manage money reveals a great deal about our priorities. Do our spending patterns align with our values? Are we being wise stewards of what we have been entrusted with?

Beyond giving up certain foods or habits, have you considered applying the principle of fasting to your finances? A financial fast can be a powerful way to grow in discipline, gratitude, and generosity.

For the remainder of Lent, consider taking on these challenges:

• Avoid non-essential spending – No impulse buys, luxury indulgences, or unnecessary expenses.

• Track every expense – Write down everything you spend to gain awareness of your financial habits.

• Redirect savings toward meaningful causes – Use what you save to bless others, whether through charity, community support, or longterm financial goals. Why a financial fast? A financial fast offers both spiritual and practical benefits.

• It reveals spending habits. When you pause non-essential spending, you quickly realize how little you actually need. Many of us experienced this during pandemic lockdowns, when we learned to live with less.

• It builds gratitude. When we abstain from excess, we begin to appreciate what we already have. Instead of constantly seeking more, we learn contentment.

• It improves cash flow. Mindful spending leads to healthier finances in the long run, reducing financial stress and increasing stability.

However, the goal isn’t simply to hoard money. The savings from this fast should be seen as an opportunity for generosity — a way to give back, help someone in need, or invest in something meaningful.

Lent invites us to pause and reflect: Where is our treasure? Are we using our resources wisely? Are we being intentional with our money, or are we spending unconsciously?

Take a look at your recent transactions. What story do they tell? Are you spending more on luxuries than on meaningful giving? Are impulse purchases draining resources that could be used for something more fulfilling?

For example, shopping apps make spending easier than ever. Perhaps, this Lent, consider deleting those apps to reduce temptation. You may be surprised at how much you save simply by removing the convenience of instant purchases.

Imagine if the financial discipline we develop during Lent extends beyond Easter. Small, intentional changes can have lasting effects like:

• Better financial stability – Small savings add up over time. “Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit.”
• Less financial stress – Cutting impulse purchases leads to greater financial security.
• Increased generosity – When we control our finances, we have more freedom to give and serve others.

The key is balance. Just as fasting from food is not about starvation but self-discipline, a financial fast is not about deprivation but about intentionality. After Lent, you don’t have to live like a monk, but you would have developed healthier financial habits that can serve you for life.

To make this journey more actionable, here are five simple steps to guide your financial fast:

1. Commit to avoiding unnecessary spending for the rest of Lent.

2. Track your expenses. For the next 30 days, write down every expense. Awareness is the first step to change.

3. Set a giving goal. Decide how much of your savings you will donate or use to bless someone in need.

4. Reassess your financial goals. Where do you want to be financially by next Easter? Identify one step you can take today.

5. Pray for wisdom. Ask God to guide you in being a better steward of your financial resources.

Lent is not meant to be a temporary season of sacrifice. The habits we cultivate — both spiritual and financial — should continue long after Easter.

If Lent has helped you become more intentional with spending, keep applying those lessons. If you have found joy in giving, make it a lifelong practice. If you have gained financial clarity, build on it with better planning and stewardship.

Ultimately, money is more than just a worldly concern. It affects our stress levels, relationships, and ability to serve others.

When we manage our finances well, we experience greater freedom — the freedom to give, to help, and to live without unnecessary burdens.

This Lent, may we not only prepare our hearts for Easter but emerge from this season with stronger faith, wiser financial habits, and a deeper commitment in line with God’s purpose and mission for our lives.

(Hazel Ong-Archibald is a Licensed Financial Planner with over two decades of experience in investment, insurance, and estate planning. Since year 2000, she has been guiding individuals and families towards financial stability. Hazel is passionate about integrating Catholic values into personal finance, helping others achieve their financial goals while living a life of generosity and trust in God’s providence. )

The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.