Living on a low income

GAINESVILLE (BP) — People with low incomes – or interrupted incomes – often feel like they are living hand-to-mouth, and there always seems to be more month left at the end of their money.

All Christians are to be good managers of what they have, especially if they’re living on limited incomes – and a budget helps them do that.

There is no question about it, it’s going to be difficult when you first try to live on a budget and make it work, because you’re playing catch-up and may not have funds set aside for the different budget categories. However, the important thing is that you do it – and don’t give up.

It might take a while to get on solid ground with a budget, but your discipline eventually will pay off. Chip away at debt, live on your budget and God will honor your obedience.

Luke 16:11 says, “So if you have not been faithful with the unrighteous money, who will trust you with what is genuine [riches]?”

You need to learn to handle the smallest thing God has put under your authority – your money. Establish self-discipline and put all spending under God’s control. Do so and you become a manager of God’s finances and all spending should then be from the vantage point of whether He would be pleased with the purchase.

Learn to recognize the drive that places you in a spending situation. Then when you shop, avoid the spending pitfalls produced by that drive by having a purpose for the shopping, a time limit and a written plan.

In addition, limit your number of trips to the store or mall and never shop when you’re hungry or depressed.

Consider this: Your money usually will go about as far as you want something. So you need to be in control of the money, under God’s direction always, instead of having the money control you by limiting what you do.

Once your spending is under control, determine how much needs to be spent each month in every area of an implemented budget. Since the basic idea behind budgeting is to save money up front for both known and unknown expenses, you must be committed to stick to the budget.

In the tough circumstances of today’s economy, low income is a serious difficulty for millions of people. That’s why we all need to adopt an “Apostle Paul attitude.” He said he knew “how to get along with humble means and how to live in prosperity.” The amazing fact is that this was written at a time in Paul’s life when, materially, he had nothing.

If you’re living on a low income, then you know it’s never an easy situation, but use these suggestions and do what you can. And remember that even when things appear darkest, and it may seem that we are incapable, God is always able.

Howard Dayton is CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. Copyright (c) 2004 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press.