Proverbs 21:20,  "...Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it."

Think

"We live for an audience of One." Can you identify with any of the following types of spenders?

• The Impulse Spender: See it. Want it. Buy it.
• The In-Your-Face Spender: Having an anger-produced urge to splurge.
• The Image Spender: You must "look the part," no matter the cost.
• The Vacuum Spender: Shopping to fill a void.

If you can relate to one of these, you may be suffering from the "Stupid Spender Syndrome." With that comes the question of why you are spending money in that way. Is it a lack of self-control, anger issues, insecurity, or emptiness? While each of these has a unique reason behind it, they all have one solution – a solid relationship with God. He sent his son, Jesus, to pay the ultimate price for our freedom so that we could experience self-control, peace, value, and wholeness. That includes freedom in how we handle money. When we realize that we live for an audience of one-God-then we begin to understand that he truly loves us and wants his best for us. We can trust him in every aspect of our lives, especially our finances. Think about why you are spending your money the way you do, and how you can adjust that spending to better reflect your relationship with God.

Act

Make an honest evaluation of your expenditures and why you have made those purchases.  Were they truly essential? Or were they reflections of what could be the Stupid Spender Syndrome?  Ask God to reveal areas in your finances where you can trust him more.

Pray

Heavenly Father, please give me fresh eyes on why I am spending what I am spending.  Help me to be honest with myself and give me the discipline to refrain from spending for the wrong reasons.  In Jesus' name, Amen!