Budget Specific Finances to Help Others
Create a budget line in your personal finances that you keep
available to assist people who are in need. A budget is nothing more
than a plan for saving and spending money. It includes where the money
will come from and how much to expect, as well as what expenses that
same money will be used to meet. A good budget takes care of all the
regular and important bills like rent or mortgage, utilities, and food
and allows for the unexpected or occasional expenses. At the same time,
Scripture is crystal clear that Christians should be cheerful givers. It
is important that you budget so that you are a good steward of what God
has given you, and budgeting also allows you to use His money to help
others who are in need.
Scripture:
Proverbs 19:17
"One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed."
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Details:
Here are some simple steps to budget specific finances to help others.
- Budget together as a family. It is important that you and your family are on the same page as to where your money will be going.
- List all your expenses. In order to understand your budget, you need
to know exactly what you are spending. This will help you save and have
dollars left over to give.
- Prioritize your needs. After specifically itemizing the expenses,
you need to decide which expenses are the most important and the first
to be paid. You must not forget to give to God what belongs to Him.
- Pray for opportunities to give. If you have been diligent about
saving money that you can use toward others, ask God where He wants you
to spend your money.
- Give cheerfully. Giving is a reward, and God wants you to give selflessly and sacrificially.
For more Thrive Pathway activities on this top:
#14 Give offerings
#15 Pray for non-believers
#33 Know your neighbors
#38 Live out random acts of kindness
#42 Develop a financial budget
#55 Tithe regularly