DAY 5

MANAGING EXPENSES

The most important principle we can learn is to truly understand that God owns it all.

Hopefully, you have experienced the freedom of transferring ownership of all your possessions to the Lord. When we recognize that we are just stewards, or managers, of what God has entrusted to each of us, we are given a new sense of responsibility to be faithful.

One of the greatest threats to our walk with God is the trap of materialism. We have to work at not being lured away from Him and spending our money on our own desires. Why? Because affluence tends to make us blind to the needs of others.

At first glance, the scriptural warnings about riches and their dangers might suggest that we should avoid all luxuries. But that’s simply not true. God does not prohibit us from enjoying the blessings of this world; after all, they are His.

Instead, we are supposed to avoid entangling ourselves in them to the point that we are no longer able to fulfill our primary purpose – to glorify God.

The affluence of the American way of life is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, our prosperity has made life much easier and has freed a great deal of money to spread God’s Word.

On the other hand, it requires a great deal of our time and attention. The urgency of our materialistic lifestyles has become a tyranny that demands most of our energies.

This is why budgeting is such a crucial piece of the journey of stewardship. It helps get spending under control, subjecting it to the lordship of Christ.

Yesterday we looked at your income, today we will take a look at your spending. Start by categorizing your spending and estimating your expenses. Look back over bank statements from the last few months to help you get a sense of what categories you need to include in your budget. Then write down about how much you spend in each. Every month is different, so try to find an average but be as accurate as possible.

You can find categories for reference in your 30 Day Snapshot or on the estimated budget worksheet below (also included in the Easy Guide to a Budget You Love).

As you’re writing down and estimating your spending categories, don’t forget to include your debt, giving, and saving.

Today's action item:

Categorize your spending and estimate your expenses in each category. Each month is different, so just find an estimate. Don't forget to include debt, giving, and saving!

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Recent Blog Posts