Trust God for financial wisdom

A PART of God’s financial plan for us is to trust Him for the wisdom to plan our spending, because our spending requires His wisdom. For many persons, the approach to money is unwise. “The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:11 TLB.) Some of us are perpetually in this place.

Sometimes we pray to God to earn more to have a little cushion. God answers and gives us a job that pays more, and instead of keeping our spending at the same level and using the extra as savings, a few months later we’re in the same position as before, spending up to our limit. Without a proper plan we’re doomed to failure. It’s not about the amount of money we earn; it’s about the amount of money we spend. James 1:5 (NCV) states, “… If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticising you”. God’s wisdom often leads us in a different direction than our wisdom.

His wisdom can help us in many areas as we plan our spending. The first is that we will have the wisdom to prioritise our needs and goals. Ask God for the wisdom to make that list of needs and goals. If you’re married, you should do this as a couple. It’s unlikely that everything can be done in the same year. Some things can be done this year, others in the years to come. Some things need to be done before others. “First plant your fields; then build your barn.” (Proverbs 24:27 MSG).

OFF THE GROUND

Sometimes it’s better, for example, to invest in the business before building the house, because if we invest in the house first, the business may not be able to get off the ground; but with the business working, the house is easier to afford.

The second step is to prepare a workable money plan. We need a workable plan to bring our income and expenses into balance. For many of us, our inflows/income are much less than our outflows/expenses. It’s been called the ‘gap of sorrow’. God will work with us to turn it around, but we must start somewhere. “The plans of the diligent leads to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV.)

If we remain without a plan, spending as we feel like, we will move towards poverty, but proper planning will lead to profit. It must start with an honest look at where we’re now. Plan how to spend money (using a monthly budget, for example). If we do this well, things will turn around. God will work with us to create the ‘gap of opportunity’. That’s where our earning is more than our spending. We need a plan that works for us and our family. “Being lazy will make you poor, but hard work will make you rich.” (Proverbs 10:4 GNT.) Do the hard work today for the benefits tomorrow.

Third, we need to track our spending. To create that ‘gap of opportunity’, we need to know where our money is going, and create some kind of system of control. This starts with tracking our spending. Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever. Proverbs 27:23-27 ESV.

We need to know where our money goes and what to change, because life is unpredictable. A man without self-control is as defenceless as a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 TLB. Consult God, make a plan, and get on the road to financial freedom.