Control Your Spending
 
Does money burn a hole in your pocket? Does buyer's remorse set in after you have spent your money?

If this sounds familiar, how can you manage your spending so you can buy the things you need now and also save for the things you need in the future? In order to change spending habits, we have to first understand how habits are shaped and the ways spending behavior can be changed. In essence, we must identify spending leaks that give immediate satisfaction but do not help reach financial goals and, instead, substitute desirable spending behavior that may not be immediately gratifying but will allow financial goals to be reached.

Luke 16:11 says, “If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches?” We must learn to handle things God has put under our authority. Like our money.

Establish self-discipline. Put all spending under God's control. When you do, we become managers of God's finances and all spending should then be from the vantage point of whether He would be pleased with the purchase. With God's guidance, any bad habit can be broken.

How far money goes usually depends on how badly we want something. As such, we need to be in control of the money, under God's direction, instead of having the money control us by limiting what we do.

Once spending has been brought under control, there should be a determination of how much needs to be spent each month in every area of an implemented budget; and, since the basic idea behind budgeting is to save money up front for both known and unknown expenses, there must be a commitment to stick to the budget.

Be accountable to others for a specified period of time for everything you spend. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says, “Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up”. If there is accountability, we are more inclined to be cautious in our spending habits, a look now, buy later attitude. So, shop around before buying and learn to say no. Keep a record of spending and purchases and share these with an accountability partner.

Establish a want-to-buy list. Whenever you feel the need to buy something that’s not budgeted, put it on the list. Wait several days and find two additional prices for the same item, to be sure you are are getting a good buy. If you still want the item after a week has passed, you will have thought about it and probably will be getting the best buy on the item. However, you still should not charge it.

Remember, we are managers of God's finances and all spending should be from the vantage point of whether He would be pleased with our purchases.

Ben Pitney :: lead pastor

Events for Children:

Kids Night Out

February 13 from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Cottonwood Elementary Gymnasium
Ages 3 - 12 · Cost: $5 per child

It's called "Kids Night Out", but it's really "Parents Night Out"! Drop off your kids at this fantastic community event and take advantage of the time to get some shopping done, clean the house, or better yet GO OUT!

Register for this event online or stop by the children's information table.

For more information, or to serve at this event, contact Julie Biagi at julie@vailchristian.com.

Crown's Biblical Financial Study is an in-depth look at what the Bible says about how we should handle our finances and material possessions. If you need some financial help, or just want to dig deeper into this topic, come to the Crown orientation on March 1st or register online.

February 13 from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Cottonwood Elementary Gymnasium
Ages 3 - 12 · Cost: $5 per child

It's called "Kids Night Out", but it's really "Parents Night Out"! Drop off your kids at this fantastic community event and take advantage of the time to get some shopping done, clean the house, or better yet GO OUT!

Register for this event online or stop by the children's information table.

For more information, or to serve at this event, contact Julie Biagi at julie@vailchristian.com.

Community Groups are simply groups of people who meet during the week to dive deeper in to the study of God's word, worship, and prayer. Whatever season of life you're in, there are people at VCC who want to know you, "do life" with you, and share the journey with you.

Community Groups meet during four nine-week quarters throughout the year. Contact tim@vailchristian.com for more information.

Starting February 1, 2009, Vail Christian Church will unveil it's third service with a new look and style. Vail UNPLUGGED is a warm, relaxed, coffee shop environment designed to connect people to God through powerful acoustic music, meditation on scripture, prayer and Biblical teaching.

In addition, our regular service time will shift starting Sunday, February 1st.

8:00 (Unplugged), 9:30 & 11:00a.m.