As a missionary kids growing up in Brasil, my dad taught my brother and me how to manage money. Every time we finished a jar of Hellman’s mayonnaise; mom would wash it out and dad would label the jars individually. Mine said, “Lisa Tithe,” “Lisa Savings” and “Lisa Spending.”

That simple method of managing money is the basis of the way I handle money to this day. “The Bible has more than 2,350 verses dealing with money and possessions. In fact, Jesus Christ said more about money than almost any other subject.” (Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money; Crown Financial Ministry) Obviously, money management is an important part of life on this planet!

For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11b

Father God, You say in Your Word that a person cannot love both You and money. He/she can only love one or the other. (Matthew 6:24) Please help me never to love money more than You. Help me to remember everything I have comes from You and my job is to manage it wisely. (Matthew 25:14-30) Help me to be faithful in the little things so I can be faithful in bigger things. (Luke 16:10) Help me to remember that what I do with what You’ve given me will impact me for eternity. Amen.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)