Budgeting Money: What the Bible SaysShembull

One of the key principles the Bible teaches us about managing our money is the importance of planning and budgeting. The verse from Luke 14:28-30 emphasizes this point well: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish." This verse illustrates the importance of taking the time to consider the cost and ensure that we have the resources to complete a project.

Now, it should be easy to see how this same principle applies to our finances. Before making major financial decisions, it's important to sit down and carefully consider our income, expenses, and financial goals. This can help us avoid financial pitfalls and ensure we have the resources to see our plans through to completion.

And I think we all know this but do we actually do it?

So, what does this look like in practice? It means actually using a spending plan or a budget for our money. Essentially we want to decide beforehand how we will spend our money for the month. By simply doing this and paying attention to our progress throughout the month, we will be far more likely to hit our spending goals.

Another important aspect of planning and budgeting is being mindful of our spending habits. It's easy to get caught up in the "buy now, pay later" mentality, but this can lead to financial trouble if we're not careful. Instead, it's important to think about our purchases and ask ourselves whether they are truly necessary and whether we have the resources to afford them. This can help us avoid overspending and financial stress.

By creating a budget, being mindful of our spending habits, and planning for unexpected expenses, we can make sure that we have the resources to see our financial plans through to completion and avoid financial pitfalls. Let's make sure to put these principles into practice in our own financial lives, trusting in God as our provider and seeking to honor him with the resources he has entrusted to us.