Plan Ahead

Good stewards plan ahead. 

The Proverbs 31 woman is an example of someone whose planning is key to good stewardship. We’re told she worked hard, spent wisely, and planned ahead. When you behave in this manner, there’s money left over to give generously, but today we often say we can’t give – because we haven’t been faithful stewards in planning, working, or spending. Yet, we know that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Let’s take a moment to consider some characteristics of good stewards.

First, they work as unto the Lord. They’re grateful for His loving kindness and choose to represent Him well in all that they do. Good stewards analyze their budget to make sure the needs of their family are covered. They look ahead to anticipate future expenses. Things like new tires, car repairs, and appliance replacements have to be considered. Good stewards discover what to buy every month based on yearly sale trends. They plan ahead for those purchases to get the best deals in order to spend wisely. These can be found online by simply searching “what to buy every month.” Good stewards save and invest by researching thoroughly and seeking wise counsel, and after all that planning, good stewards are able to give generously. Now planning takes time, but it’s a necessary ingredient to successful living. We plan our grocery lists, our vacations, and our kids’ sports schedules so why not our spending as well?

And if you have credit card debt due to lack of planning, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan that works for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.