Last night I spent a few hours among some very bright, energetic and entrepreneurial women.  It was basically a girls’ night out doing what many of us like to do… spending money and listening to the success stories of those who are making it!

Obviously, I was the one spending money, as I am in the process of raising children and not in the market of raising capital.

However, I began to wonder how many of us purposefully plan to make money and spend money – all the while keeping our household’s bottom line out of the red?  A.K.A. living within our means.

I dare say – not many of us.

According to an article on www.creditcards.com, the average credit card debt per household with credit card debt is $15,956. AND, this number does not include the debt we incur with our homes, student loans and cars.  YIKES!

Getting rid of my belongings and living in a tent is not what I’m advocating.

Nevertheless, I am questioning what can help me and my family live in agreement to God’s will with regards to our financial decisions.

I doubt there are many secrets to making money and spending it wisely that haven’t already been broadcasted to the masses.

But, prudent financial aptitude is more personal than any class we can take or book we can read.  It takes an individual motivation to wisely sacrifice, comprise and persevere…characteristics that many of us lack.  Sigh.

In order to remedy our wayward expenditures, we have to recognize that spending what we do not have is indicative of problems WAY bigger than the lack of zeros in our paycheck.   As a Christian, I would be delusional to trust that I am in control and God is only the genie-in-the-bottle to grant my every wish.

“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.” Psalms 39:6

Obsession with wealth and spending can be overcome, but nothing happens overnight and nothing happens if action is not taken – hate that last part!  Argh!

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10

So, where do we start to make improvements in our financial well-being?  I think it begins with understanding the biblical view on money:

What does God say about money and work?

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2Thesselonians 3:10

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33 

Whose money is it anyway?

“…Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:18

“John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.’” John 3:27

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Why budget?

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?” Luke 14:28-30 

“He who is impulsive exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20

God’s Word is the best financial tutorial because it outlines expectations, instructions, guidelines and hazards to watch out for when implementing God’s economic plan for my life.

Cash concerns CAN be a thing of the past IF I put God in charge, keep God in charge and get myself out of the way!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 21:5 – The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty.