If you haven’t realized, I’m a couple of weeks behind on my 7 (by Jen Hatmaker) posts. Reading and writing have fallen behind while keeping up with daily blog posts and contributor posts.
But, this chapter of 7 is right up my alley!
Spending!
No, I’m not a spender; I’m the complete opposite!
I’m a stickler for a budget and I cringe when I spend unnecessarily. But, that doesn’t mean that we don’t spend in this house. Honestly, I haven’t kept up with the budget like I should the last few months. I put it off just like Q puts off cutting the grass! That means what should take 30 minutes to an hour takes a whole evening!
But, I still stick to a budget. I have since I sat down with my Mom a few months before our wedding. It’s something I think is pleasing to the Lord and it’s something I couldn’t imagine myself living without. Peace of mind in spending is a must for our house.
Unfortunately, we still spend unnecessarily. We still buy things we don’t need. And, we still live in excess; compared to the rest of the world.
Just because we tithe and keep a budget doesn’t mean that the Lord is pleased by what we spend our money on or how much we spend!
Hands down our biggest area of excess in spending is our “pocket money” section. It never fails that we are constantly negative in our “pocket money” area of the budget…and it drives me nuts! We just can’t figure out how to stop eating out, or buying little things here and there.
I have to ask myself, “Is He pleased by that?”
I don’t think He is. Why have a budget and not stick to it just because you know you have the money in the bank? What could I be doing with that excess if I truly did stick to my budget? How much more peace would I have (than the peace I have of just having a budget) if I didn’t have to constantly figure out how to get my “pocket money” out of the red?
Can you imagine the difference we could make if we spent what we needed to and gave away the rest!?
A huge difference!
I’m resolved to be a better spender, to make some changes, and to give a little more!
How are you spending? Do you feel that the Lord’s pleased with your spending habits? What can we do differently?
I’m linking up here:
Latest posts by Christie (see all)
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haha that is soooo me Christie! My mom has to force me to spend more!!..i just dont feel the need to buy things just because there is money..i have to really really need it. so i got that your day is still starting! omg..it’s 1.30pm here :). enjoy your day.
Where are you?? (probably eating by now) haha but i mean what country?
Christie, found you through the Rolled Up Pretty link-up this morning. I’ve heard such wonderful things about Jen Hatmaker’s book and can’t wait to read it myself.
I have loved Jen’s book! Makes you think and laugh all at the same time!!
Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!
Christie
Hi Christie, great post. Some people say to track your money, including your pocket money. As in keeping a small notebook with you & writing down every dime you spend! I have done that for VERY short periods of time, as it is hard – $1 here, $3 there and when you are in a hurry (think quick stop at convenience store), well, who wants to try & keep up with that? But, it does work/help, even the very short periods I’ve done it. I’ve learned some things (tricks) to help out. Such as sticking to a list (well, mostly). And just having a “no spend” mindset.
Another point I’d like to make, and have been being led to recently, is that one way to do better on some particular issue we are having, is to practice the behavior we want, for when we give in (for me lately it’s having a piece of chocolate), we reinforce that habit. But if we practice…well, I guess it would be called temperance, or self-control, then we are strengthened. And remember, self-control is a fruit (gift!) of the Spirit, so we are not on our own about this! Ptl!
So that is why, one day last week, I promised myself & the Lord that I would only check my Facebook 3 times that day. Oh my, it was hard! I didn’t realize how often I was checking in! And I nearly gave in, but, for one small period of time, I was able to do it! And that is what we can build on; the baby-steps give us confidence that we can do it, by His strength! And even if and even when we don’t, our salvation is not contingent upon how well we pulled it off, far from it, and Praise God for that!
Thanks for a great post. I’ll have to find out more about this book!
Ooo I’ve really been wanting to read this book!
My group is on Possessions this week. Love reading your updates each week. My post on Thursday about Overcoming Wardrobe Entitlement was definitely inspired by this book. Thanks for sharing about it.