Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became ParentsSample

Good Budgeting and a Little Faith Go a Long Way

On day five of Creation, God made the fish and the birds (Genesis 1:20-23).

The magnificence of Creation easily proves that God is creative and loves mystery and beauty. God, though, is also very practical and knows how to take a little and make a lot.

God demonstrated His practical nature on day five of Creation when He created fish and birds. He then “blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth’” (Genesis 1:22).

Parents also have to think about many practical matters, including buying food, buying clothes, and paying bills. After all, raising children is expensive, and unfortunately for us, God didn’t create money trees for us to freely borrow from!

How do we do it?! How do we creatively stretch our dollars to cover all the costs of family life? This is certainly a common struggle for many parents.

The simple answer is…budgeting. We have to live within our means. And, if we’re not living within our means, we have to either make more or spend less money. It’s as simple as that.

More than that, though, we have to trust God. He is the Maker of all things and the Master of “multiplication.” He demonstrated this throughout the Bible. 

If you’re like me, your own family history also proves that God can take a little and make a lot.  He always comes through. Even in our hardest moments, He comes through in unexpected ways.

Of course, God doesn’t promise us the road will always be easy. I’m reminded of Luke chapter 16’s message of good stewardship. Luke 16:10 says, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much…” 

That’s our challenge as parents. Can we and will we be faithful with what God gives us so that should He bless us with more, we will be faithful with that as well?