Wisdom is key in Handling Family Challenges PT 2

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the concluding part of this edition. In the previous edition, I lighted on wisdom, the builder of every successful home and how to acquire and apply it. This week, I will examine some practical examples of challenges in the home and how to solve them.

One of the pronounced challenges in the home is associated with finance. It is important to understand how to handle money in your marriage to avoid tension at home. Handling finances is a very sensitive area in the family; therefore, it is crucial to say a few things about how wisdom can handle it. 

Planning

Planning is a vital force in the finance of your home. It is important to plan your family expenses into weekly or monthly expenditures, depending on your income. The Bible says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it (Luke 14:28). A man of God once said, “Any army general that wants to go to war must win the battle on paper first before he takes his men to the battlefield, or else they will be slaughtered.” If you want to be free from financial crises in your family, you must first sit down and draw up a plan. It is good to have a sound financial plan for your family so that you can live happily within your income. 

Budgeting

This is the process of creating a plan to spend your money. This spending plan is called a budget. Creating this spending plan allows you to determine in advance whether you will have enough money for the things you want to buy or do. Budgeting is balancing your expenses with your income. 

For example, a man just started his family; he has one child, and his income is 40 thousand naira. He must know what God expects of him by paying his tithe, which is four thousand naira. He is left with 36 thousand naira, which he must budget wisely by taking out some amount for housekeeping and his offerings. So, whatever is left is marked as miscellaneous. That is wisdom! It is important to note that your expenditure must not outgrow your income, or else you become subject to borrowing. The Bible says: The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).

Place Priority on Spending 

In spending money, discipline is a major requirement. Placing priority on spending means you can ascertain the things needed and buy them first before other items. Not all expenditure is right. If you place priority on spending, you will be free from debt. Please note that debt is not the will of God for you, whether you entered into it because you were pressured by your legitimate needs or lack of contentment with your present position or possession. Stay clear of indebtedness! The Bible says: Owe no man anything… (Romans 13:8). Mix prudence with contentment and enjoy great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Please live your size per time. Cut off from friends who drive you to live above your present level and start placing priority on spending per time (John 6:12).

Investment and Savings

Spending money foolishly is one major cause of borrowing and lack. To avoid such, occasional investments should be engaged in. Set aside some amount of your income in case of emergency needs or for investment purposes. The Lord Jesus Himself admonishes … Why didn’t you deposit the money in the bank so that I could at least get some interest on it (Luke 19:23 TLB). Why don’t you invest small amounts today in lucrative business so you don’t engage in begging or borrowing tomorrow? 

However, God’s wisdom can only be revealed to you by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. So, if you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.

Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.

For more insight, these books, authored by me, are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a Successful Home, Making Marriage Work,and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).