Balanced: SpendingSample

A CASE STUDY FOR HONORABLE SPENDING

The woman of Proverbs 31 could be a role model to any of us, man or woman. You’ll read of wisdom, selflessness, love of family and others, hard work, and more. In the end, she receives pretty high praise. She is praised as one who fears the Lord and as one who should be honored.

From this godly woman, we have an example of how a wise individual spends money:

1. Housing and food ( Verses 14,15)

2. Investing (Verse 16)

3. Utilities and Necessities (Verse 18)

4. Sharing with those in need (Verse 20)

5. Savings (Verse 21)

6. Personal needs and Clothing (Verse 22)

These are useful categories for all of us to think through as we make wise spending decisions.

More than giving us examples of healthy spending, this woman’s life gives us an example of the values that lead to healthy spending. For example, one of the key threads in this text is hard work. Hard work is connected to our healthy approach to spending. Other important threads are the fear of the Lord, devotion to family, care for those in need, and faithful planning. For anyone wanting to have healthy spending habits, perhaps the most important lesson learned from Proverbs 31 is that a vision for life and purpose founded on love and fear for God is the basis for honorable spending.

Ask Yourself:

-How do my work and spending habits reflect my God-given purpose?

Pause to Pray: My Father, I want every moment of every day to be lived with consideration of your plans and purposes for my life. Please help me see how my spending can be part of accomplishing those plans. Amen.

Take a Next Step: Write a paragraph or two about who you believe God made you to be and what His purpose for your life may be.