by Sarah Dull
With rising prices and interest rates, maybe your budget isn’t stretching as far as it used to. Whatever the reason, many people are facing financial challenges or anticipate they will be facing them soon. Proverbs 14:23 warns us, in all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. So, this month, I suggest we get to work figuring out how we are going to prepare our finances for this changing economy.
As many horticulturists will tell us, one of the keys to long term health and growth of a garden is thoughtful trimming and pruning. By cutting back and/or removing dying tree limbs, overgrown shrubs, or diseased plants, there is a chance for new life to flourish. It is the same with our finances; to flourish in the likely coming economy, it would be prudent of us to undertake some trimming and pruning of our expenses now.
This is going to require some budgeting work, but before you run away screaming in horror, please take 20 minutes to listen to this NPR podcast about overhauling your budget. Kristin Wong, author of Get Money, and Jessie Mecham, author of You Need a Budget, offer easy, lighthearted ideas to help your budget feel more like liberation than handcuffs.
I hope what you heard will empower and encourage you to make the financial adjustments necessary to continue living your best life, whatever challenges may come. If you would like more tools and support to help you deal with difficulties around money and live the abundant life that is promised to us in Christ, please reach out to me or a member of the clergy. It is our privilege to walk with you through all your joys and hardships. And remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians:
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13
Discussing money can be triggering, prompting feelings of fear or shame. Maybe that is why Jesus talked about money and possessions more than faith and prayer. Sharing our stories can be liberating and transformative.
As with most spiritual practices, we gain strength when we share with and support each other. To write a post, offer resources, submit an article, or do an interview for Finance First Friday blog, please contact Executive Administrator, Sarah Dull. You never know who needs to hear your story!
