GIF Dealing With Extravagance

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”

(Proverbs 17:1 NIV)

Dealing With Extravagance
by Chuck Bentley

You’ve heard the adage, “Enough is enough.” But that’s easy to forget when spending is involved.

People who look successful on the outside may be pushing the limit of their income or exceeding it through excessive borrowing. Others may have enough money to overspend and get away with it, but extravagance is not a necessity, regardless of how much money you make.

Have you determined when enough is enough, or is your stress level growing because you can’t seem to bring your spending under control?

You can change your course by structuring your life goals according to God’s purposes; acknowledging His lordship over all things, including your money; and establishing a plan to bring your spending into line with His financial principles.

Unfortunately, you can go from elementary school through college and never learn basic budgeting skills like balancing a checkbook, buying a house, or setting financial goals.

In some people’s minds, budgeting is a lot like dieting: both are last-resort measures that people rely on when it’s time to tighten the belt a notch or two.

Make yourself an exception. Develop a comprehensive plan for your finances, set monthly limits for all your spending categories, keep track of how much money is coming in and how much is going out, and stick to your plan!

It may hurt a little to pass on buying things you really don’t need, but peace of mind is worth its weight in gold and highly preferable to the stress that comes with excessive debt.

Daily Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16-17