When I worked in public accounting, a substantial number of our clients were not for profit agencies, churches and other religious groups. We prepared income taxes for some of the individuals who were church members and leaders. This was during the time when interest on credit cards and other debt was a deductible item. I realized there was not much difference between the way people in the church handled their finances and those who were not. This was puzzling to me, and I realized that when people give to the church, that it is assumed that God no longer cares about the rest of their money. That is as far as it goes. 

I am the youngest of five children, and raised by my loving mother and grandparents. My mother worked very hard to support our family, and tried to teach us not to be frivolous in our spending habits. Of course, when I grew up, many of the principles that my mother practiced, related to money, somehow escaped my memory, especially after I was married. I thought that because my husband and I were earning a good amount of money, the principles of not spending every dollar were for her, not us. I was clearly wrong. 

One day, I realized that I had a bad relationship with money, and it did not feel good. We had stuff, but “no money,” and a lot of debt.  Just because you have a lot of money does not mean that we need to spend it all. Money problems will keep us stuck in jobs that we do not want to be in, it will keep us arguing with our spouses about money, it can ruin relationships, and keep us from being faithful to God, the owner of all that we have. I am glad that I realized that it is never too late to take the first step to changing how we handle money, and the desire not to live pay check to pay check. 

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