Idolatry is not just worshipping statues (Isaiah 44:9).

It looks different for each of us. For one, it may mean worshipping themselves.

For someone else, it may mean putting their family’s desires before God.

And for another, it may mean worshipping money. But Colossians 3:5 tells us to put our ways to death.

We can overcome greed if we choose to desire our Lord Almighty, instead.

If we desire Him, He will take away our desires for earthly things (Psalm 73:25). None of the things we acquire here on earth can buy our way into Heaven (Ephesians 5:5).

 So, don’t allow falseteachers to convince you otherwise (2 Peter 2:1, 3).

The riches will never make you happy. Neither will you ever be satisfied.

The more you get, the more you’ll want to take (Proverbs 30:15). And it will not save you any more than it saves them.

It’s okay not to gain all the treasures of this world. It’s okay if you don’t feel like you have enough money saved.

We’re human, and we do have fears. But God did not design us to have a spirit of fear.

Being fearful means we’re not trusting Him to provide for us. He designed us with a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

A power that assures us we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

 A sound mind that trusts him with every aspect of our lives to provide for our needs and give us our heart’s desire.

A love that transcendslimitations, lends a helping hand, and gives freely and openly to others.

For God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Budgeting

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

Proverbs 21:5 There have been so many times that we’ve stumbled over our words, because our thoughts were not clear.

 We couldn’t see them on paper, because we never took the time to write it down (Habakkuk 2:2).

Can you think back to your wastefulmoments?

Simply because you did not take the time to lay out what needed to get accomplished during the day.

There was no plan. The same concept goes for money.

Without a plan, we can find ourselves wasting the resources God has given us.

Because we weren’t paying attention, we weren’t reflecting and we weren’t planning.

Before going any further, don’t let the word “budget” scare you away.

All a budget does is account for the money that comes in and the money that goes out.

It’s not so much a math thing as it is a behavioral thing. How we handle money is 20% knowledge and 80% behavior.

You control your budget. Your budget does not control you.

It is a roadmap, a guide, a plan. When we think back to the times we had no sense of direction… being all over the place with no order, we realize it was probably because we did not first sit down and count the cost.

Our God is not a god of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

 Sometimes, you have to tell yourself: “You will never get to where you’re going, if you don’t first know where you are” (Luke 14:28-29).

A budget helps us stay the course. See, when we operate without being intentional, we become empty.

When we bring our tithe and offering to the Lord without thanksgiving, without praise, without taking hold of the promises He made to us, then it’s just another ritual leaving us hungry.

 As followers of Christ, every step we take must be intentional.

Our diligence leads to outcomes and abundance. But our impulse and lack of planning leads to loss (Proverbs 21:5).

And it’s no different when it comes to our personalfinances.

Be intentional about what you’re bringing in.

Be intentional about what you’re spending and why you’re spending it.

Because the times of abundance will not last forever.

What we do while we prosper, will dictate how we get through the tryingtimes.