Your concepts concerning money have something to do with your past circumstances. Generally people either adopt their parent's views about handling money, or they rebel and go totally in the opposite direction!
Even though your past may have influenced your feelings about money management, the responsibility of your current financial position rests on the person you see in the mirror! You are the only one to blame for where you are now. The beginning step on the road to financial recovery is facing your reality.
Sure, sometimes life throws you a curve - a medical condition or the loss of a job that places you in a precarious situation financially; however, if we would become financially sound, we would have reserves to help when such situations arise. Again, we are back to the person in the mirror.
What do you see when you look in your financial mirror? Someone who enjoys the comfort of things over a savings account? Someone who enjoys leisure activities more than tithing? Someone who lives from paycheck to paycheck and can't seem to get ahead? Someone who has consistent arguments with a spouse over money issues? Be realistic. No more blame games. You have made your bed, but you don't have to lie in it.
Once you face the reality that your financial position is totally your responsibility, you can begin to work on a plan to change your position. Don't expect it to be overnight - there are rarely quick fixes to a lifelong problem. Yes, God can provide supernaturally and He can forgive you of your mismanagement of His resources, but many times He also allows you to endure the earthly consequences of choices you have made.
Whether it means taking on an extra job, cutting expenses, selling your home or car - there is a way out of the mess you are in. Through prayer and sound financial resources, God can help you formulate the plan, but you, the one in the mirror, will have to follow through with the plan.
I trust you will strive to get your financial life back on track. My desire for you is that you would be spiritually sound and financially sound, making you free to fulfill anything that God asks of you. If He called you into the mission field, would your bondage of debt make it difficult for you to answer the call? If God called you to give an offering of $5,000 to a special cause, would you have the reserves to write the check?
God did not intend for you to be bound by money. He intended for you to use the resources He provides for His glory. If you aren't there, find a way. It is possible, and it starts with the person in the mirror. "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but the foolish man devours all he has." Proverbs 21:20
Denise Craig, Chief Financial Officer
