A Glorious Beginning (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: A Glorious Beginning (Part 3)
Dear Reader,
I count it a great privilege to bring God’s Word your way again. Today, I shall be talking on budgeting. Do you have a financial budget?
It is a fact that those who fail in life do so because they failed to plan. As you begin a new year, planning is a vital requirement if you desire financial stability. Plan your expenditure pattern. If you don’t, impulsive spending can rob you of a glorious financial future.
Many families do not see the need for a budget. If you take time to survey how many families have financial budgets, you will discover that only two, out of 10 families sampled, have for their families. A family that desires to prosper financially should have a laid down rule for spending money. So, plan out your family’s weekly and monthly expenditures especially in this new year. The Bible says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?… Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:28-31).
Also Read: Thanksgiving & Praise Secure God’s Presence in Your Home (Part 4) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
‘Sitteth down first’ means to map out a plan. One man of God said, any army general that wants to go to war must win the battle on paper first, before he takes his men to the battle-field or else they will be slaughtered. He must first sit down and draw a strategy of attack on paper. He should also have alternatives in case of a surprise attack. The same thing applies if you desire to have a financial future. You need to plan how you are going to spend your money on paper first.
What is planning? Someone said, “Planning is thinking plus writing. Think about the things you need to spend money on during the month, list them out and calculate so when the money comes you know where to put it. This also involves projecting into the future because as you think, “What do I need money for this month?” you are thinking ahead. For the believer in Christ Jesus, this is the essence of “the gift of a sound mind.” But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Planning and budgeting are necessary for proper financial management. How will you know how much you need per month if you have not sat down to write out what your expenditures for the month are. Also, if you find out that what you earn is not enough, sitting down to plan will help you tailor your expenditure. As a child of God, you ought to cut your coat according to your cloth. You must therefore:
Beware of waste
A waster is a person who uses resources wrongly. To waste what you have is an offence to the Lord. The Lord Jesus gave us this example when He said, “gather the fragments that nothing be wasted” (John 6:12). The scripture says: I created the waster to destroy (Isaiah 54:16). This means a waster is also a destroyer. He destroys good things without knowing.
Spend wisely
In spending money, DISCIPLINE is a major requirement. Engage in priority spending. It is being able to ascertain the things needed and buying them first before other items. Not all spending is right. If you’re indebted, understand that debt is not the will of God for you, whether you entered into it as a result of pressure from legitimate needs or lack of contentment with your present position or possession. So, stay clear of indebtedness for God hates it. The scripture says: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8). You can be free from debt. Mix prudence with contentment and enjoy great gain. Learn to order your priorities right. There are certain things you collect on credit that could wait till later. Please live your size per time. Cut off from friends who drive you to live above your means. The Word of God says: All things are lawful but not all are expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12). Expedient means suitable and necessary. Engage in buying things that are necessary and vital per time; if not, you may end up selling the things that you need, that will not be your portion in Jesus name! Remember God hates waste (John6:12).
You need the grace of God to do what is required to enjoy a glorious financial future. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)
“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
