Living LighterSample

Finances: Over Spending

Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

Finances are a huge stress in people's lives, now more than ever. If you feel like you are drowning financially, you are not alone. The average person has around $500.00 in their savings account, leaving very little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. With that said, there are some factors that are out of our control, such as inflation, interest rates, the job market, etc. However, there are some things we can control and need to take ownership of. Retail therapy is a coping mechanism many people use to deal with stress when, in turn, it can cause more stress. There is a time and a place to treat yourself, but that can only happen when we budget and plan accordingly.

It all comes down to impulse control and comparison. We impulsively spend when we do not have a financial plan and accountability. We overspend when we compare ourselves to what others have and believe we need it to. This is a marketing trick that has been around since the garden. The serpent tempted Eve by telling her she could experience life better if she had what was never hers to take. Do not fall for the same trick. The only thing that will open up your life is submitting to God and his will. His will for you is to be content with what he has given you so you experience true freedom and break the cycle of needing more and more and never being filled. Our verse tells us when we love money, it will never be enough. The more we spend, the more empty we become because we are looking to be filled by something that was not designed for that purpose.

Practice: Take a look back at this week, what you spent, and why you spent it; maybe start a financial journal to help keep yourself accountable. You may realize some unhealthy patterns or unnecessary spending. It will be challenging, but it will be worth it!

Prayer: God, help us go to you when we feel empty, not things of this world. We pray against comparison, and we pray for impulse control in moments when we feel weak. We know that you are our source of fulfillment, not things. We also pray for financial freedom, that you and your unlimited resources help us take back control of our finances and lessen the stress of money. We love you, amen.