Area of life
Money
Earning, spending and giving with open hands.
God might be speaking to you here if
- money worries keep you awake at night
- you buy things to feel better and regret it later
- you feel tight inside whenever giving comes up
- debt is growing and you avoid looking at it
What this is
Everything you have comes from God. Money is a tool, not a master. Where your treasure is, Jesus said, your heart will be too.
God wants you to work, provide and plan wisely. He warns against loving money, debt that enslaves, and always wanting more. Contentment is learned.
Generosity breaks money's grip on your heart. God doesn't need your money. Giving is trusting Him and joining in what He is doing for others.
My verses
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Where to next
- Look at the numbersThis week, write down what comes in, what goes out and what you owe. Facing it brings peace.
- Give first, not lastDecide an amount to give regularly to your church or people in need, and set it up this month.
- Wait before you buyWait 48 hours before buying anything you don't need. Ask: do I need it, or just want to feel better?
- Make a debt planList your debts, smallest to largest. Pay the minimum on all and anything extra on the smallest. Get free debt advice if you're overwhelmed.
- Count what you haveWrite down five things you already have and thank God for them.
What grows here
Pray
Father, everything I have is Yours. Free me from worry and from wanting more. Teach me to be wise, content and generous.