DAY 17 Being Responsible

BE STILL Spend 2 minutes in stillness and silence with God

SCRIPTURE The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. Proverbs 21:20 (NLT)

DEVOTION

Being financially responsible requires us to be aware of our past, act in the present, and think about our future. As we look at our past, we become aware of our own money habits. This may look like reviewing our bank statements to see what we spend the most on, identifying cycles of irresponsible spending, or evaluating what we were taught (or not taught) about money to see how it aligns with what God says about handling money.

Thriving in financial responsibility means we think about our future to guide our current actions. As we ponder on our future lives, we answer questions like:

· What are my financial goals?

· Am I saving up for anything important?

· What kind of life do I want to live?

· What kind of life do I want generations after me to live?

Our answers to these questions help us navigate our finances with wisdom in the present.

A financially responsible person is also one who master’s these three things: self-control, delayed gratification, and humility. Self-control in the present will keep us from ending up like the fool in today’s scripture. Remember that it is not something we have to seek externally, but it is internally within us (see day 12 for a refresher). One outcome of our self-control is delayed gratification. While we may not use our money the way we are tempted to in the present, our future selves will thank us when we’ve reached our financial goal and/or are living the lives we desire.

Finally, a person who lives a financially responsible life has mastered humility. In our lives, we often spend more money than we need to because of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. We don't want to miss out on trips, lunch dates, fashionable Instagram feeds, or other great experiences. FOMO is real, and we've all experienced it at one point or another! Humility partners with self-control to fight FOMO. It takes our pride captive and we

become less concerned with what we miss out on and more focused on what we are working towards.

As we end today's devotion, I want to note that there is nothing evil about money except idolizing it. Having an abundance of wealth is not a sin; in fact, God wants to bless us abundantly! Spending our money on ourselves is not a sin. God wants us to enjoy what we have worked hard for. Desiring nice things or fun experiences is not a sin. God did not put us on this earth to live in misery and lack. With all that being said, God does desire us to live financially responsible lives. Whether we have $100 or $1,000,000 in the bank, He wants us to be good stewards of what He has given us.

Would you say you are a financially responsible person? Why or why not?

How have your perceptions of financial responsibility been shaped by your childhood experiences/teachings? Are they in alignment with what God says about money?

PRAY IT OUT

God, your word says that those who can be trusted with little will be trusted with much, and those who are dishonest with little will be dishonest with much. Help me to be more financially responsible with what You have placed in my hands so that I can be trusted with much. I know that You want to bless me abundantly so that I will always have what I need to fulfill the works You have set out for me. Please reveal to me any ways that I can be a better steward of the finances You have blessed me with.

I confess that there are times I have not been a good steward of my finances. My fleshly desires, FOMO, and lack of self-control have had me spending more than I should have. I turn away from moving with haste and ask that You help me to have diligent hands and plans towards money. Holy Spirit show me patterns from my past and current money behaviors that will keep me from obtaining the future goals and life I desire to live. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Thank You for the money that You have blessed me with because You didn’t have to. I love You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Scripture References

Proverbs 10:4 Proverbs 21:5

Luke 16:10-12 2 Corinthians 9:8