Last Sunday we talked about the importance of gaining financial margin. I explained the first step in getting financial margin is finding contentment in your relationship with Jesus (Heb. 13:5). Here I will share with you some practical steps that will help lead you to a place of financial margin.
1. Learn Contentment.
This contentment can only come from Jesus. If you do not learn to be content with what you have - you will never have margin. Focus on Him. Think about what He has given you. Remember & believe that ‘He became poor so we could be come rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9)
2. Give Generously
This is counter-intuitive. Most of us think “once I have margin, then I will start to give generously.” The reverse is true. The more money people make, the less generous we become. Americans were much more generous during the great depression than we were in the booming economy of the 90’s. The more you make, the more you want, the less you give. Give generously now. Give sacrificially now. Then you will begin to experience the joys of generous giving. Additionally, as you give, the firm grip which ‘desire-for-more’ has on our hearts will slowly loosen its hold.
3. Distinguish Between Your NEEDS And Your WANTS
We have convinced ourselves that we need way more than we really do. You don’t need a brand new car, you don’t need 1800 square feet of living space, you don’t need a full data plan, you don’t need to pay $80 bucks for a pair of jeans, you don’t need to eat out, you don’t need to go to the theater, you don’t need to buy the jumbo value pack with a one gallon soda and drywall bucket of popcorn, you don’t need the full cable package... you don’t really need cable at all.
We tell ourselves we need these things (and many more) or we are convinced we deserve them. “I work hard” you say. That’s good. We should all work hard to earn a living - but no one deserves to live beyond their means. Remember Prov. 21:20? “the foolish man devours all he has.” Ouch!
Getting margin in any area of life means putting first things first. To gain financial margin follow this order - Find contentment in Jesus, Give generously, Save, Pay your bills (needs) - then with the remainder enjoy the good things God gives you (wants).
This contentment can only come from Jesus. If you do not learn to be content with what you have - you will never have margin. Focus on Him. Think about what He has given you. Remember & believe that ‘He became poor so we could be come rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9)
2. Give Generously
This is counter-intuitive. Most of us think “once I have margin, then I will start to give generously.” The reverse is true. The more money people make, the less generous we become. Americans were much more generous during the great depression than we were in the booming economy of the 90’s. The more you make, the more you want, the less you give. Give generously now. Give sacrificially now. Then you will begin to experience the joys of generous giving. Additionally, as you give, the firm grip which ‘desire-for-more’ has on our hearts will slowly loosen its hold.
3. Distinguish Between Your NEEDS And Your WANTS
We have convinced ourselves that we need way more than we really do. You don’t need a brand new car, you don’t need 1800 square feet of living space, you don’t need a full data plan, you don’t need to pay $80 bucks for a pair of jeans, you don’t need to eat out, you don’t need to go to the theater, you don’t need to buy the jumbo value pack with a one gallon soda and drywall bucket of popcorn, you don’t need the full cable package... you don’t really need cable at all.
We tell ourselves we need these things (and many more) or we are convinced we deserve them. “I work hard” you say. That’s good. We should all work hard to earn a living - but no one deserves to live beyond their means. Remember Prov. 21:20? “the foolish man devours all he has.” Ouch!
Getting margin in any area of life means putting first things first. To gain financial margin follow this order - Find contentment in Jesus, Give generously, Save, Pay your bills (needs) - then with the remainder enjoy the good things God gives you (wants).
