Keys to Wise Spending

God expects us to have faith, but also to use common sense and wise planning in allocating the resources He has given us. The best way to manage your money and stay out of debt is to have a strategy in place before the expenses or temptations arise.

BEGIN WITH A BUDGET. A budget is a road map that guides you and tells you when you are on course. Budgeting won't ensure prosperity, but it will keep you from overspending your resources and will help you avoid the debt trap.

DECIDE TO FOLLOW THE BUDGET. Most people understand the need for a good budget, but few follow through. Only 25% of American families operate on a budget. Fifty percent say they want to budget but never get around to it. Make your plan and stick to it.

PRIORITIZE YOUR EXPENDITURES. Make a list of what is most important to you. Start with the necessities (housing, food, car, utilities, insurance and taxes). Then list what you "should have" (clothing, furniture, etc.). Finally, list the things you'd like to have.

PAY THE LORD FIRST. If you get this first priority right, each step thereafter is easier. God makes it clear He is to receive the first fruits of your income, not the leftovers. The key to honoring God with your finances is remembering that your money is not your money. God owns it all and gives it to us as He pleases.

PAY BILLS ON TIME. Establish a budget that allows you to pay all your bills in full and on time each month. If you can't pay them all, pay something on all of them and communicate your intentions of paying everything to those you owe. If you can't pay your regular bills, it's time to move to a smaller house, drive an older model car, or make drastic cuts until your outgo matches your income.

GET OUT OF DEBT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Debt carries with it heavy responsibilities. Don't allow yourself to become a slave to creditors. Don't take on debt unless you have a clear plan for repaying it. Certainly stay away from debt if it is a habit out of control.

PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES. Small emergencies can eat at your budget every month unless you begin to set aside funds as part of your budget. For example, the dog gets sick, your car radiator dies, time for back-to-school clothes, etc.

HAVE SOME FUN. Use your resources for personal enjoyment. After you have managed your money wisely and given generously, there comes a time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY, INVOLVE THEM. When you create a list of priorities, it's important to involve your whole family so everyone understands the priorities and is focused on the goals.

IF YOU HAVE A SPOUSE, ASSIGN THE JOB OF PAYING THE BILLS. This isn't about control, since both should fully understand the financial situation and goals, but about the most capable person taking on the job.

上帝希望我們每個人都有信心，不過他希望我們每個人都能用上常識與精明計劃來分配他給予我們的資源。管理財富不欠債的最好方法就是在開支發生或誘惑出現時，能有一個適當的策略。

首先要有預算

預算就象一張給你指引的路線圖，它能告訴你什么時候你在規定過程中。預算不能保證你富裕，但能防止你過份消費自己的資源，幫助你避免掉進債務的陷阱。

決定要服從預算

許多人都理解需要有個好預算，但卻很少有人真正堅持到底。只在25%的美中家庭按照預算運轉。50%的人說到他們想按預算安排開支，卻從來做不到。所以，制定自己的計劃還要堅持！

改善優先順序排列

將對自己最重要的事項列個清單。從生活必需品開始（房子，食品，車，水電費，保險和稅金），然后列“應該購買”的東西（衣服，家具，等等）。最后，列出自己想要的東西。

PAY THE LORD FIRST

如果你排序正確了，后面的每一步操作起來就容易了！上帝很明確告訴我們了，他要收回你收入的第一藍果子的，而不是剩下的。用自己的財務來取悅上帝的關鍵就在于要記住，你的錢并不是你的錢！上帝全部擁有它，看上帝高興給我們多少。

及時支付帳單

建立一個預算，使自己能每個月按時全額支付帳單。如果你不能全部支付，那就把有些帳單全額付清，然后聯系對方，表達自己愿意對自己欠付的帳務支付所有可能的錢。如果你連定期帳單都付不起了，那是時候要搬到一所小房子住了，或者考慮開老款車，或者考慮大幅削減開支，下去自己支出與收入吻合。

盡快還清欠款

欠債是很重的責任。不要讓自己成為債務的奴隸。除非自己有清晰的還款計劃，否則不要欠債。如果欠債成了一種不可控制的習慣，那就一定要戒除了。

要有應急計劃

每個月一些小的應急事件也可以消耗掉你的預算，除非你另外設立了應急基金作為預算的一部分。例如，狗生病了，車子的雷達不行了，回學校聚會要買衣服了，等等。

一定的娛樂休閑

還要將資源用于個人休閑娛樂。在對自己的錢財精明管理和大方支出后，你享受自己勞動成果的時候就來了！

有家者讓全家都參與

在列優先順序清單時，有一點很重要，那就是讓你全家都參與進來，這樣每個人都能理解優先順序，可以集中在這些目標上。

如果有配偶，讓對方來付帳單

這并不是講控制，因為雙方都應該徹底理解財務狀況和財務目標，這講的是讓最有能力的人來擔當此任。

上帝希望我們忠誠，也希望我們在安排他賜予我們的東西時要動腦筋，做出明智的安排。管理好自己的錢，不欠債，最好的辦法是在花錢或想花錢之前先合理安排。

1.先做預算。預算就像地圖，它能指導你怎樣消費。預算并不能保證你有錢，但能讓你避免過度消費，陷入債務。

2.按照預算去做。大部分人都知道做預算，但很少有人會按預算去做。只有25%的美國家庭按預算去做。50%的家庭想按預算去做，但卻做不到。做好計劃，嚴格執行。

3.優先安排日常花費。把對自己來說最重要的東西寫下來。先寫必需的東西，如住房、食品、汽車、家庭用品、保險、稅收等，再寫應該有的東西，如衣服、家具等，最后寫想擁有的東西。

4.先要感謝上帝。先安排好必需的東西后，接下來的事就容易多了。上帝說得很清楚，他需要的是最初的收獲，而不是殘羹冷炙。感謝上帝的關鍵是要記住，你的錢并不是你的，而是上帝高興的時候賜予你的。

5.按時付清賬單。做一份能每月按時、足額付清賬單的預算。如果不能全部支付，先支付一部分，然后告訴對方你打算什么時候全部付清。如果你連日常的賬單都不能支付的話，就應該搬到更小的房屋，開舊車，或大幅削減開支，直到收支相抵。

6.盡快擺脫債務。債務像沉重的大山。不要讓自己成為卡奴。除非你有明確的還債計劃，否則不要欠債。如果欠債已經成為一種習慣，那么一定不要欠債。

7.為突發事件做準備。除非你每個月額外留出部分資金，否則一些小的突發事件會減少你的預算。比如，狗生病了，汽車的散熱器壞了，需要買衣服了等等。

8.要快樂。花錢要讓自己快樂。在明智消費、慷慨付出之后，你就可以享受勞動成果了。

9.全家總動員。要讓全家人知道并且按照你的支出計劃去做，這一點很重要。

10.讓妻子支付賬單。因為大家都了解收入狀況和消費情況，所以這不是支配，而是人人參與。