Keep the Change: Managing Your Money Wisely Sample

While budgeting tips and financial advice are fantastic resources, sometimes life throws us curveballs we can’t expect. When that happens, our finances feel out of control, causing stress, anxiety, and a scarcity mindset. Shane and Lacey know that all too well. Here’s their story, and we think it will encourage you no matter what financial stress you’re facing: 

We lost everything as a result of the 2008 financial crisis. We burned through all the cash we had left. We charged up every credit card. We sold anything not absolutely necessary for basic living. Our new house was sold on a short sale, and we ended up moving in with my parents. But as a result of this troubled time, we learned a lot of life lessons. We learned how to live on less money, with less stuff, and still be happy. And most importantly, we learned to put God first. In spite of losing everything, we found ourselves unexpectedly and remarkably happy. 

My Pastor, Craig Groeschel, has talked about how “less is more.” And those words are true. Less stuff equals less stress and fewer distractions. I was able to get really involved with my church. I went to all the men’s events, joined the worship team, attended a Bible study, and even started leading worship for the youth ministry. Though we still struggled in many areas, my family finally had our priorities in the right order. 

Over the next few years, our financial situation improved. But this time around, one thing was different. We had a new perspective. God was our first priority. We started tithing again, not because we were supposed to, but because we wanted to. And we started giving to others, too. We had that freedom, because we trusted that God, in His abundance, would give us everything we needed. That’s what having an abundance mindset is all about.

None of us knows how our financial future will be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, or any crisis that comes after. But God doesn’t want us to live burdened by stress over money. He calls each of us to tithe and give to those in need, trusting that He’s capable of providing for us in every situation we face. No matter the struggle, He will abundantly give us all we need.