Heart Posture Is Everything
Having a good heart posture with finances is imperative when it comes to how you are going to handle them. God shows us in His word that it's important to be content. Hebrews 13:5 says "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?" So, ask yourself, are you content with what you have? Or do you constantly find yourself needing more?
In 1 Timothy 6:10 God says "For the love of money is a root for all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
As homemakers, wives, mothers, God has entrusted us to be good stewards with our money. Not only to tithe, but to have self-control. It can be so easy to get caught up with the appearance of our home to others and keeping up with trends. But at what cost? We were created to be helpers, so what does this look like as a homemaker? Well, first we need to align our hearts with God's word when it comes to this matter, then we can go from there.
Your Action Plan
One of the most important ways we can be helpers with our finances is to be in submission and agreement with our husbands. This took some time for me to adjust to when we first got married. My husband is a saver and I've always been a spender. He in many ways has lead me to practice self-control. Our husbands, being the head of our family should lead us to see the value in making wise financial decisions and having self-control. If you are not married yet, whether it be still under your parents authority, or not yet under the covering of a husband, you can pray and ask God for wisdom for financial guidance.
The other way you can be a helper to your family, is to budget and track spending. This has been a very vital part in our ability to pay off debt, and buy our first home. This practice really put things in perspective for me. It is very easy to spend and not think twice. Especially when it is something we want. However, it is wise to plan for it, or at the very least have the "budget" for it. Set a goal or a limit stick to. Having a tracking sheet and budget for finances every month has taught us where we can improve as a whole and where we did well.
Every month I write down each bill, it's due date, how much the total cost is and repeat for each bill. This shows both me and my husband the total of all our bills combined and when they are coming out. It also ensures we don't forget anything and don't have any surprises. We also set a budget for various things that we know we are going to need throughout each month. Groceries, gas, etc. Another wise practice is to track your spending each day. I know it sounds tedious, but it also helps with accountability. If you have goals or even just want to practice more self control with spending this is a good way to help keep you accountable.
When I was a little girl, my mom used to balance her checkbook everyday. She really set the example for us to have wisdom with finances. I hope to set this example for my children. It also bring me a lot of peace keeping track of it all.
When it comes to finances, it can be tricky to balance it all. This where prayer and seeking God's word really brings us peace. Budgeting, tracking and setting goals are all good ways to handle finances. As homemakers it is natural for us to want to make our homes with latest trends and nice looking things. Within reason right? It takes time, patience, and honorable stewardship to build up our homes to our liking. You have probably heard of living within your means right? This is good advice. It is fun to set goals and have the financial stability for them without having to worry or choose between what you want and what the family needs.
~ Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
~ Proverbs 31:31 "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."
I hope this encourages you to make a financial plan and set some goals. This is one of the best ways you can serve your family and the Lord as a homemaker.
Happy Homemaking! ♥
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