Managing money or being managed by money

For the longest time, I struggled with managing money. I was like a human bank with no security system—anyone who came asking got a “yes.” Then one day, I had a revelation: the problem wasn’t that I didn’t know why I needed money; it was that I hadn’t given my money names. Yep, labels. You see, when money has a name, it has a job. And when it has a job, you suddenly have a reason to say “no” to people who want to take it from you. “Sorry, but this money is labeled ‘rent.’” I couldn’t believe how effective it was! Turns out, people just move on to the next person who doesn’t label their money—and spoiler alert, that person will soon be broke.

Here’s the kicker: when you say “no,” they’re not even mad! They just walk away like, “Alright, let me find someone whose money isn’t on lockdown.” And it hit me—Psalm 1:3 talks about being like a tree planted by streams of water, whose leaves do not wither. The leaves? That’s your mind. If your mind is well-watered with God’s wisdom, it doesn’t wither, and you bear fruit in season. Not every day is a harvest day. You have to manage what you’ve got wisely, knowing that prosperity comes when you stay connected to the vine (John 15:5).

I realized that saying no isn’t just about keeping my bank account from going into hiding—it’s about staying grounded in God’s Word. When your roots are deep, you know exactly where your strength (and your financial decisions) come from. Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” It’s not just about slapping labels on your money but being diligent and intentional with it. God has given me what I need, and it’s my job to steward it well.

So, now I’ve labeled my money, said a few “no’s,” and guess what? The leaves are still green, the fruit is coming, and I’m finally learning what it means to prosper in all I do. Stay connected to the source, folks—both spiritually and financially!