MASTER THE MONEY MONSTER
MASTER THE MONEY MONSTER
A very important question to ask ourselves - Why do people spend more money than they have? Usually, because they are trying to emulate someone else’s lifestyle. If my friends have it, why can’t I?
That’s not what God wants for us. God wants us to experience financial reality. He wants us to control our money rather than let our money control us. He wants us to live within our means and have future expenditures planned for.
No matter what your specific situation, you can be excited and encouraged. Why? Because in times of financial uncertainty, those who follow Biblical principles of money management will not only survive, but even prosper….
Specifically, you can do five crucial things.
First, you can start by getting a complete, realistic picture of your current financial situation. You have to know where you are before you can plan how to get where you want to be.
Second, you can begin to reduce and even eliminate all your debts. Being debt-free is your best preparation of your uncertain economic future.
Third, you can start by setting aside money in a savings account for emergencies and major purchases. In effect, you become your own banker. But now, instead of paying interest to someone else, you are building your savings and earning interest.
Fourth –this principle depends on following the above two principles – you can live within your income. Financial success does not depend on large investment returns or growing income. Rather, it’s as simple as spending less than you can earn and doing it over a long period.
Fifth, you can develop the correct perspective, remembering that God is the source of everything. The Lord said, “I will never leave you; I will never forget you.” (Hebrews 13:5). Giving what belongs to Lord should be the priority and also to those who are in need.
If you have no debt, you’re saving regularly, you’re living within your income, and you’re placing your trust in the living God – when you lose your job or suffer some other misfortune, you will have done all you can do. And in that case, I believe you’ll survive and even thrive.
In short, God wants us to master the Money Monster.