YES!!!

I got up at 5:30 this morning! To my 5:16 ladies: I am finally back on the band wagon!

It feels good...it really does. But somehow in my sleep deprived stupor I allowed Benny to track in dog poo and he even got it on our white duvet! Horror of horrors! I don't know where my brain was this morning but I still had a great time of prayer and Bible reading.

The amazing thing is the message that the Lord has communicated to me over these last few days of financial CHAOS! I won't get into the details. We've changed banks and all is well.

Anyway...The Lord has been so faithful in helping me have a more Biblical view of finances, money management, contentment and materialism.

One of the sins I struggle with the most is materialism. I want things...not necessarily lots of things or expensive things. It's usually things to organize, better my home, food or books.

While, on the surface, I'm well meaning in my pursuit of things the Lord has never hesitated to show me my sinfulness in it. I have learned over the past two years (and especially in the last two weeks) that even the slightest touch of covetousness can wreak havoc on even the best laid plans.

The TOP EIGHT Financial Things I Have Learned

1. The Lord has blessed us with enough. Honestly, we do not go hungry. We have adequate clothing. We have great shelter. We have everything we need! (Pray for help to change your attitude about "things" and to become more content with what He has blessed you with)

2. You cannot out give God. Sadly, our financial situation doesn't allow us to give much but when we do the Lord gives us back and then some! What He gives isn't always financial - usually it's an over abundance of joy! (With the Lord's help give more and more to your church and especially the needy)

3. Planning is VERY important. Especially financially! Check out this nugget of wisdom I got from Feminine Appeal: "Planning is a method of "hiding" ourselves and our families from trouble." The text is referring to planning in a general sense but it fits so perfectly into the them that God has been working in my life. We must plan financially for even the little things - like a blown out tire or dead battery. (Start an emergency fund, if you don't have one already)

4. You must seek rest and strength from the Lord in all financial situations - whether it's in the calm or the storm. (You can't do this alone - you MUST have God's help!)

5. Money can quickly become an idol. Sisters, flee from the love of money and the pursuit of it. There are so many more important things in this world than money. (Use what you must, save what you need and give away the rest!)

6. Money is a good servant but a bad master.- Anonymous (Who do you serve? Money or the Lord?)

7. Most of the time the best gift is the gift of you. In these days our time is worth SO much more than our money. This Christmas spend some time baking and making for Christmas gifts and if you can, insist that spending quality time is gift enough! (Give the gift of time!)

8. Coupons make a difference! Seriously. I bought TWO WEEKS of groceries for $84! I'm not kidding you! Clipping coupons is time consuming but it's fun to see how much your savings add up when you're at the store. Our best savings to date was $28!!! (Take the time to research coupons and sales ads! You'll be surprised how much you save!)