You Don’t Have a Budget Like This Budget
Our best efforts need a little guidance from God.
There are lots of helpful plans and tips for getting out of debt and managing a budget. But it seems like no matter what we try, something comes up that we didn’t plan for. So we start over, we change a few things, and we try again, hoping for the best.
But maybe what we need to change is ourselves. Watch this video to see how one couple did just that.
Sometimes we think of God as Santa Claus or Father Christmas. We ask for help, and then we wait for something good to arrive. But God is our Father. He is the perfect mentor. He knows our capabilities, our shortcomings, and our potential. When we pay attention, we can gain a better understanding of what He wants us to learn. If our budget keeps falling apart, perhaps we need to learn self-discipline, or how to be more generous, or how to attend to the needs of others in our family or around us instead of focusing on ourselves. These lessons require us to take a closer look at our behaviors and motivations, to work things out the best we can, and then to pray for help. When we do all that we can, God will lead us to the right solutions.
Here are a few great ideas to help you along the way.
1. Use a spreadsheet to detail every earning and expenditure.
Now look carefully at the spreadsheet. Where are you spending money for things that you want, and where are you spending money for things that you actually need? Ask for inspiration about how you can make changes and improvements.
2. Be honest with yourself.
Before you spend money on something, consider if the expenditure aligns with your financial goals. If you want to save for an important need but continue to spend on personal hobbies, be honest with yourself and acknowledge that you could make some financial adjustments.
3. Remember to be grateful.
Blessings will come. And there are many blessings you are already enjoying. Take time to identify your blessings and to express your appreciation.
4. Listen for the still small voice.
It might be when you’re on a walk, while you’re at work, or when you’re doing the dishes, but those soft, peaceful impressions will come. Write them in a notebook and discuss them with your spouse during your weekly budget review.
You’ll find that as you become more teachable, God will bless you with knowledge of the things you need to change to make your budget work. As you are guided by faith and humility, your relationship with your family and the people around you will improve, and you’ll find your budget working out much better than ever before.