Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Finances~ Lord Guide us


Money has really been on my mind lately. Not the lack of money, necessarily, but just the way in which we handle our finances. I suppose it could be due to the fact that we are right smack in the middle of the holiday season and it feels like we are dishing out money left and right for various things.

Matt and I try, and I think are pretty successful, at sticking to the budget we have lined out. I record all of our expenses each week to make sure that we are staying w/in the allotted amounts. And for the first time in awhile have been able to start saving money again.

Still, I have felt very convicted to really seek the Lord on our finances. I asked Matt if he would join me in praying over this and we will just see where the Lord is guiding us. I firmly believe that the resources we have are directly from the Lord. He has always provided for us and has seen us through some of our more difficult financial times.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34



Dear Lord,

Thank you for always providing for us. Please Guide Matt and I in the way that we spend the resources you have provided for us. We want to honor you in all aspects of our life and if there is a way that we can better honor you with our money, please show us.

In Jesus name,
AMEN.


**This week I have been reading in Exodus. This morning I read chapters 9-12, which ended with the Lord freeing the Israelites out of Egypt. What are you reading?**

3 comments:

Katie said...

I am just finishing up "Your Money Counts" - written by the fine folks who founded the Crown Financial Ministries and it sounds like it is just what you are looking for. My fav is when they discussed how to give over everything you own to the Lord - sure you still have it but it is not yours to own, only to be a steward over. Also - how to tithe and how to worship, pray and make your tithe a matter of the heart.

I would really recommend it. It also has practical advise for standard of living, a biblical perspective of needs vs wants, and teaching children about money.

missabbaleigh said...

Hello! I think I found your blog through the nest, but anyways I love your posts. Would you want to share your menu/grocery list template with me? my email is missabbaleigh@yahoo.com

Jessica said...

Hi missabbaleigh:)
Yes I will send them to you. I was actually just working on a couple improvements so as soon as I finish that I will get them to you. They aren't anything overally fancy but they have still been helpful to me!