Ever feel like your credit score is some mysterious number floating over your head, deciding your financial fate? Kind of like the sorting hat in Harry Potter—except instead of placing you in Gryffindor, it determines whether you get that loan, mortgage, or even a job.

But here’s the truth: credit scores aren’t magic. They’re built—step by step, decision by decision. And as stewards of God’s resources, understanding how they work can help us manage money wisely, avoid debt traps, and ultimately, live with greater financial freedom.

So let’s break it down. How is your credit score actually created?

The Five Ingredients of a Credit Score

Think of your credit score like a recipe. Each ingredient matters. Some weigh more heavily than others, but together, they create the final result. Here’s what goes into your score:

1. Payment History (35%) – “Faithfulness in the Little Things”

This is the biggest slice of the pie. Have you paid your bills on time? Every on-time payment is a signal that you’re reliable. The Bible teaches us in Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Paying bills faithfully isn’t just good finance—it’s good stewardship.

2. Credit Utilization (30%) – “Don’t Max Out Your Blessings”

This is how much credit you’re using compared to your total limit. If you have a $10,000 credit limit and use $9,500 of it, lenders get nervous. Keeping your usage below 30% shows discipline. Proverbs 22:7 warns, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” If we rely too much on credit, we risk being controlled by it.

3. Credit Age (15%) – “Wisdom Comes With Time”

The longer you’ve had credit accounts open, the better. This is why keeping an old credit card open (even if you don’t use it much) can be smart. James 1:4 tells us, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” Financial wisdom takes time—so does building a strong credit history.

4. Credit Mix (10%) – “A Steward Knows How to Handle Variety”

Lenders like to see a mix—credit cards, car loans, mortgages—because it shows you can handle different types of financial responsibility. But that doesn’t mean opening accounts just to diversify! As Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Thoughtful, strategic credit use is key.

5. New Credit (10%) – “Too Many Doors at Once Can Be a Distraction”

Opening too many new accounts quickly can lower your score. It’s like trying to walk through too many doors at once—you end up stumbling. Instead, be intentional. Matthew 6:24 reminds us, “No one can serve two masters.” The same is true for our finances—we must be discerning.

Why Should Christian Leaders and Stewards Care?

Some people dismiss credit scores as “just numbers.” But in reality, they reflect habits—and habits reflect values.

A strong credit score can:
✅ Lower your cost of borrowing, keeping more money for generosity
✅ Open doors for homeownership, business growth, and financial security
✅ Reduce stress, freeing you to focus on serving others

And let’s be clear—while we trust in God as our provider, He also calls us to manage well what He has given us. A credit score isn’t about chasing wealth; it’s about stewardship.

Final Thought: Use Credit, Don’t Let It Use You

At the end of the day, a credit score is a tool—not a measure of your worth. As stewards, we should aim to use it wisely, not be controlled by it.

What are your thoughts? How has understanding credit helped you practice better financial stewardship? Let’s discuss! 👇