Guarding against Greed

By:

Emily Miller

One of the things I have wanted to make a point of mastering for the duration of the rest of this year is control of my finances.

Before we get any further, I want you all to know I am far from being the expert on this subject. I am still learning along with each and every one of you. All I am hoping to do is talk about some personal as well as biblical advice in regards to finances that may be of assistance to you if you are someone around my age.

The act of controlling our own finances is far from being an easy thing, and I think this carries more weight for us millennials first earning any sort of paycheck.

All the sudden, you have money of your own to spend, and larger and larger quantities of it too as you get older.

You are not just relying on your parents for spending money, and with all the dough you are raking in after all your hard work, it makes that blouse or book all the more tempting to buy. Soon, before you know it, you will have found yourself having blown through your paycheck and waiting an extended period of time with no money in your pocket.

If this sounds like the way you have been spending, I would encourage you to take a step back and re-evaluate your money habits. I would encourage you to go to a parent or another trusted adult and ask for help with making a budget.

The sooner you learn to stick to a budget, the easier you will find your life to be as you go out into the world by yourself for the first time.

I am not saying that buying that blouse or book is a bad thing. The act of wanting things like this is not inherently bad in itself. Yet when we constantly are buying these things to fulfill our pleasures now, then that is when it becomes a problem.

Ask God for wisdom to be able to distinguish between your wants and needs.  Make sure you are tithing, saving, and spending your money on your needs first. If you do have something that you want, make yourself save for it instead of going out to get it right away, even though you may have the money to do so. Putting aside $5 a paycheck for that purse you want instead of getting it right away will ultimately be more satisfying as you have WORKED for it instead of letting yourself be instantly gratified.

Above all else, be sure to follow this biblical advice in regards to your finances.

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

-Proverbs 13:11

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

-Luke 12:15

I also want you to know that if you happen to be reading this at a later stage in life, it is never too late to start getting into wise money habits. It may take some work, as old habits can be stubborn to break, but with prayer and following God's guidance, you and your family can find yourselves being liberated from having your money control you.

Blessings,

Emily