Over-spending probably isn’t your problem. Debt probably isn’t your problem. The issue almost always lies in our hearts.
The truth is, there’s more than enough money in the world to meet our needs… but even if we had it all, “the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
We see this in the story of David and Bathsheba:
Here’s King David, who had everything, but he still wanted more. Enough to steal, lie, commit adultery, and kill to get it.
And God basically says to him, “Dude, if you wanted more, you could’ve just asked me!”
So, if even kings struggle with this, what hope do we have?
Well, there is one person who got it right: Jesus.
Even when He asked for something – like for the cup of suffering to pass from Him – He ended with a changed “thy will be done” outlook.
And you know what? He got what He really asked for – a changed heart.
That change of heart led Him to joyfully give His life for us… a model of our Father’s extreme generosity!
So here’s what we need to realize in all this:
If we’re just trying to budget better or spend less without addressing our hearts, we’re missing the point.
We’ll keep chasing after what we think will make us happy (spending) or provide safety and stability (hoarding).
But if we let Jesus speak to our hearts and change us, real transformation happens.
So, let’s get practical for a minute: What’s your big financial goal right now?
· Is it investing? What’s driving that desire – Security? Freedom? Status?
· Dreaming of a vacation? Is it about rest, adventure, or how you look on social media?
· Paying off debt? Is it about peace of mind or proving something to yourself or others?
· Eyeing a new house? Is it about comfort, space for family, or impressing the neighbors?
Take a moment to really dig into the ‘why’ behind your financial goals.
Don’t edit, don’t shame yourself, and don’t think about the nice Sunday school answer of what you should say…
Reshaping our hearts has to start with telling the truth about what we really want:
“Lord, I really want to go on this vacation because I wish I had more meaning and excitement in my life. Can you show me how to live a more meaningful and exciting life?”
Just like that.
When we can be honest with God, our spending patterns naturally change.
So let’s ask Him for a heart change!
To show us where our motives might be off and to give us His perspective on our finances.
I promise that kind of prayer will get you further than any budget ever will.
