Your money’s God’s. You’ve tracked every dollar (or almost — I wasn’t born yesterday). Now what?
If tracking didn’t feel like a gut punch, budgeting will.
Income must exceed expenses, bills, and discretionary spending. You control the discretionary part. I can’t dictate your choices, but I can tell you hard choices get easier the more you make them without caving.
Waiting until you’re spending to decide is a losing game — same as waiting until you’re home from work to plan Bible time, or staring in the fridge to decide on healthy eating. It won’t happen without prior planning.
The hardest choice is committing to track (last post) then building a plan.
Don’t copy my system blindly — be persuaded in your own mind. Adapt it.
I use a free Google Sheets spreadsheet with tabs:
Current Month — All regular bills, credit cards due, balances, payment dates. Green fill when paid/confirmed.
Budget — Income at top, bills below tied to paychecks. Basic Income vs. Expenses summary.
Credit Cards — Each card listed with cycles (current/next/next-next month). Gives 5–6 weeks float interest-free if managed tightly.
Mimicking this without tracking first and owning the process is worthless.
Ownership is the missing piece in American Church discipleship — Bible reading, prayer, finances, family leadership, fitness. When you truly own these, you adapt, evaluate, reflect, and succeed.
Step 1: Track.
Step 2: Make hard choices — budget.
Step 3: Implement — between you and God.
Future posts will cover obstacles and strategies, plus character issues in handling God’s finances His way.
I can give tools — you have to wield them.
Who’s getting God’s finances in order to live as a complete disciple?
Pete is Out.