As a child, I saw my mother always doing what it took to make ends meet and to provide a comfortable life for me (her only child). Sometimes, this meant taking loans, pulling on savings, using credit cards or paying from the salary she earned at her 9-5 job. Mom did her best to shield me from experiencing lack or struggle. 

Yet, when I began working full-time at age 21, earning a meaningful salary, I thought, "This is my time to experience all I missed growing up - the vacations, the luxuries, reserves, all of it!". And splurge I did!

But why? Truth is, I bought into the belief that my life as-is wasn't good enough in comparison to the lifestyles I heard about on the job. I was also convinced that I had to spend like my co-workers to be accepted into the fold. 

My mindset was WRONG! My focus was in the wrong place and on the wrong things. While having experiences is great, my motivation came out of insecurity and pride, not from a genuine need for rest and rejuvenation. 

As I was saved by Jesus Christ and began to mature, I submitted my spending habits, and my finances overall, to Him. Here are some of the lessons I learned on the journey:

1. We do what we believe. If you believe that you didn't have enough growing up, you are likely to overcompensate when you're able to. If you believe that financial status makes you more likeable, then you are likely to spend to be liked, taking you outside of what is considered good stewardship. My wrong beliefs led me to overspending and poor money management overall.  

• The Scripture: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
• The Action: Assess your belief system for the root cause of your spending habits. Where you identify wrong beliefs, submit them to the Lord and seek His guidance to get you on the path to godly beliefs in that area. When your beliefs line up with God's will, your actions will reveal a more powerful testimony.

2. As believers, we have the mind of Christ. Following on from #1, it is important to know that God has provided a way for us to shift our mindset about all things, including money. In 1 Corinthians 2:16b, it says "we have the mind of Christ". The renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2) lines up with us having the mind of Christ. We, therefore, should think according to the Spirit, and not according to the flesh. This means, we focus on doing the godly thing, not just the "feel-good" thing. 

• The Scripture: "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8)
• The Action: Commit yourself to prayer about the mindset shift that is needed for you to see and handle money in a way that honours God. Trust that He will reveal the areas in your life that require correction. He will also enable the correction. 

3. True success comes from living according to God's Word. There is a worldly view of success that many times leads us to veer away from God's intention for our lives and the money He has entrusted to us (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10). However, we can have confidence that we will prosper, according to God's Word, if we study, meditate on and obey His Word. Financial principles about saving, investing, debt management, tithing, generosity and more all reside between the covers of the Bible. 

• The Scripture: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8)
• The Action: Study what the Bible says about money and learn the principles therein. Allow the teachings to penetrate your mind and replace the wrong beliefs you once had. Reflect on the teaching and do it.  

4. Guard our hearts from greed. Simply put, greed is a strong desire for excess, especially as it relates to money, power and food. Greed can lead to an ungodly focus on money, making money into an idol (making it more important to you than obedience to God). 

• The Scripture: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
• The Action: Consistently submit yourself to God for examination in this area. In your prayer time, ask Him if there is greed in your heart. When you have decisions regarding money to make, take a moment to check if your choices align with God's will and plan. Afterall, it is His money and we are the stewards.

5. Refrain from worrying about money. This is a hard one because it often feels like second-nature to worry when we can't see the path in front of us. However, Jesus's instruction to us are clear in Matthew 6 as it pertains to worrying about our provisions. God is our source and our provider and He knows what we need. He will, therefore, provide for His children. 

• The Scripture: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
• The Action: When worry comes knocking, confront it and remind yourself of the biblical truth. Seek God's guidance on how to approach the situation and leave no room for worry and anxiety to reside in your heart. 

6. Seek wisdom over wealth. This one really blew me away when I first understood it. Godly wisdom far surpasses any earthly possession. It allows you see beyond just the physical reality or the facts presented to you. Godly wisdom breaks the mold and enables you to make decisions that others may not understand but ones that ultimately set you up for God's best. God's interaction with Solomon in 1 Kings was the epitome of this truth.

• The Scripture: "And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies,... behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor..." (1 Kings 3:11-13)
• The Action: Keep money in its rightful place. Seek God first in all things. Use your God-given wisdom to create and optimize the means He has given you to produce wealth (see Deuteronomy 8:18) while always remembering and honouring Him above the wealth He enabled you to produce.

7. Be diligent in stewardship. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." (Psalm 24:1) - it all belongs to Him but He chose to create us as stewards, managers. Our responsibility is to be diligent in managing what He has given us, enabling us to give a good account for what we did on this earth with the money we had. 

• The Scripture: "Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?" (Proverbs 27:23-24)
• The Action: Take some time to identify what you own and what you owe. Learn where your money is; how and when it comes in and goes out; plan your expenses, savings and investments; and identify and pursue additional sources of income where needed. Take these first steps in managing your money then see where the Lord leads you next. 

8. Be content in every season. Contentment in this context is referring to having a joyful heart whether money is overflowing, just enough or too little. Our joy should not be dependent on the state of our finances. Seasons change but God doesn't. He remains faithful to His Word and we should hold fast to that. 

• The Scripture: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13)
• The Action: Stay in the Word. Keep reminders of biblical truth as you navigate each season - abundance or lack - so that you may remain level-headed, always remembering to give God His rightful place in your life - front and centre!

These lessons have been pivotal in my life, enabling me to move from a mindset of lack and scarcity to one of dependence on God for my every need, trusting Him as provider - the One who owns it all. Does the temptation still come to worry and give in to anxiety? It surely does! And sometimes, it sneaks in before I even realize BUT when I do identify it, I can submit it all to God and get back on track...and so can you!

I pray these lessons have been helpful for you. Let me know which one(s) have helped you the most!