- Do I need it? Am I at peace in my spirit about this purchase? (Colossians 3:15; Proverbs 1:5,7; 20:27; 22:4.)
- Is my spouse in agreement? How will it affect my wife? husband? children? (Amos 3:3; Proverbs 11:5; 12:15; Matthew 18:19.)
- Have I compared prices? Will its value rapidly increase or decrease? Does it matter? Can I get along without all the bells and whistles? Would a less expensive unit do as well? (Proverbs 13:16 AMP, 20:14; 27:23.)
- Will I want this item as much next week, next month, next year, as I do today? Delay does not mean denial. (Proverbs 27:12,20; Ecclesiastes 3:1.)
- Will this purchase improve the quality of my life or that of my family? How often will I use it? Am I buying this for appearances or to meet a need? (Proverbs 11:2; 12:9, 26; 13:7,10; 16:18.)
- Do I have a plan to repay this debt rapidly? Is the plan written out with timetables? Can I wait and pay all or part of it in cash? (Proverbs 12:11, 27; 13:12; 21:5; 22:7; Hebrews 6:12.)
- Is this affordable in my present financial situation? Am I buying this only because it is on sale? Remember: if you really don't need it, it's not a good deal. (Proverbs 16:2,3; 21:20.)
- Have I considered the cost of owning this after I have paid the price for getting it? For instance, what will upkeep and maintenance cost? (Luke 14:28; Proverbs 31:16.)
- Will this purchase help me in achieving God's goals for my life? Is there another way this goal could be met? (Proverbs 13:19; 19:21; 20:18.)
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
Avoid the Five Enemies of Planned Spending
- Don't be a penny pincher. If there is no allowance for pleasure, the plan is doomed from the start. Plan a family reward when the goal is met or schedule a pleasurable time together. Without a planned reward, a splurge will bring guilt and make the spending plan look like a failure.
- Have the entire family help in the plan. Children old enough to spend money should have their say. Otherwise the family feels controlled by the deciding parent.
- Avoid the gratification syndrome. Realize people sometimes use money as a cure for feeling low or a reward for a job well done. Keep sight of your goal.
- Don't allow money to replace self-esteem. When times are tight, some people "pick up the tab" or do other things not in their budget to "appear" in good shape.
- It's foolish to give unless God is in it. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom (Luke 6:38). If we give, we shall receive, but giving should be God-directed. If you need to know where to sow, ask. If you are directed by the Spirit of God, you can fully expect a miracle in your finances.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
John Avanzini was born in Surinam, South America in 1936. He preaches the message of financial prosperity and teaches that God wants believers to be wealthy. He speaks in conferences and seminars worldwide about biblical economics.
