Success is great, but it’s unhealthy when it dictates your happiness

We’re All Stewards—Especially When It Comes to Money

Let’s face it: money is supposed to work for you, not the other way around. God gives us resources to manage, but when we flip His plan on its head, we end up in a pickle—or worse, a financial pickle jar that’s been opened by someone who doesn’t know how to make a proper sandwich!

Here’s the kicker: if you’re chasing money like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party, guess who’s really pulling the strings? That’s right, Satan is the boss of the bucks, and let me tell you, you don’t want to work for him. Instead, focus on your God-given purpose, and watch how everything—including that elusive cash—follows you around like a loyal puppy.

We waste a lot, don’t we? We need to reuse, recycle, and reorder—let’s just say we need to embrace the “re” movement. But no, we’re not satisfied with living within our means. Oh no, that’s too boring! So, we dive headfirst into debt, just to keep up with the Joneses who are probably broke themselves!

Debt is like a bad relationship: it’s one of the main reasons financial freedom feels like a distant dream, but it shouldn’t be. Thanks to social media, the pressure is on to constantly compare what we have to what we could have. Society has this annoying habit of telling us that what we have now is never enough. Seriously, who made that rule?

Once we hit a certain income level, many of us decide to rack up debt just to maintain that oh-so-glamorous lifestyle. But stepping down to an affordable level? Oh, the horror! It’s like admitting you’ve lost a race in slow motion.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” If that’s not a reality check, I don’t know what is!

So, what’s the secret to contentment? Spoiler alert: it’s not about accumulating more stuff. It’s about realizing that God’s got a plan for your life, and it’s way better than any Instagram filter. Contentment is an attitude, not a destination!

Here’s the lowdown on how to make it work:

1. Get Out of Debt: Debt is like that clingy ex who just won’t let go. The Bible says the borrower is a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). You’re not meant to be financially whining; when you’re debt-free, you’ll feel lighter than a helium balloon at a birthday party!
2. Act Your Wage: Live on less than you make. It’s a simple formula, but trust me, it works. Proverbs 21:20 calls spending everything you earn foolish. Who wants to be known as “that person”?
3. Get on a Budget: Budgeting is like having a roadmap for your money. Luke 14:28 asks, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” If you’re not budgeting, you might as well be wandering in the financial wilderness!
4. Save Money: If you don’t save, you’ll be broke for life. Seriously, set up an emergency fund because, spoiler alert: life has emergencies. Proverbs 21:20 reminds us that wise folks store up while fools gulp it all down.
5. Give Generously: This is where the fun begins! Tithing to your local church is just the beginning. Giving changes lives—yours included! Malachi 3:10 encourages us to test God in this.

Success is great, but it’s unhealthy when it dictates your happiness. The real MVP? Contentment. It’s the key that unlocks the door to true financial success because it helps you think long and hard before you buy that third pair of shoes.

Remember Philippians 4:11-12: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Whether you’re dining at a five-star restaurant or eating instant noodles, true wealth comes from gratitude and joy in what you already have. So, let’s jumpstart this journey together—who’s with me?