It’s All About Faithful Stewardship

Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Perhaps you’re diligently hitting the gym, meal prepping, or organizing all aspects of your finances. In reality, all of these go hand-in-hand. Being a steward means faithfully managing everything that God has given you – your money, your talents, and your health! First Corinthians says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with how we use and treat them. Just like it takes time, effort, and discipline to build up physical muscles, your financial muscles need time to develop as well. In November, LendingClub reported that the number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck has increased to 63%. Even those considered high-income earners are feeling the pressure.

Everyday spending is negatively impacting America’s ability to save and plan. Inflation has definitely hurt us, but so has the ease of purchasing with credit cards and ‘buy now, pay later’ options. If you don’t know where to start, commit to just one financial goal. For example, save $1,000. Pay down your credit card debt. Or, give a larger percentage of your income to your church. Perhaps you already have a spending plan but just haven’t acted on it. Can I encourage you to step out in faith? The first step can be the hardest. So ask the Lord for strength, motivation, and perseverance. Then, take that first step. Take things one day at a time. With each day’s victories, you’ll be inspired to keep going, and if you develop healthy habits this year, imagine where you’ll be this time next year!

If your resolution is to pay off credit card debt, I recommend Christian Credit Counselors. They’ll create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or visit online at crown.org/ccc.