Developing good habits is necessary if you want to make progress toward living in a God-honoring way with your finances. There are five foundational habits that we highlight in this journey. They are profoundly simple to understand and will work whether you have a very small or very large income. As you reflect on how consistently you apply the following five habits, ask yourself how you can make a few small changes to your current habits to bring yourself more in line with living in step with these five foundational habits.
Spend less than you earn
This habit is the bedrock of all the other habits. If you aren’t spending less than you earn, then you will struggle in every other habit. Literally nothing in your financial life will work if you cannot consistently follow this habit. If you struggle with this habit, let us encourage you to take seriously the actions listed below.
Do I consistently spend less than I earn?
Your Answer: never
You indicated that you never spend less than you earn. As you know, this is a big problem. Regularly spending more money than you earn is a recipe for taking on large amounts of consumer debt. And large amounts of debt leads to further constriction of future available funds. This tends to lead people into a cycle of financial distress. The only way out of a cycle like this is to get a handle on where your money is going and to develop a plan for how you are going to live within your income. Most of the time this can be accomplished by making different spending and lifestyle decisions, but sometimes the only way out of a hole like this is by selling assets or getting another job. If you aren’t in this position yet, the good news is that you can turn things around. If you are in this situation, there is hope, but you’re going to need to make some big changes. Let us encourage you to make this habit a non-negotiable and do everything within your power to figure out how to spend less than you earn.
Actions to take:
- Create a budget. Begin tracking your expenses to figure out where you are spending your money and then create a budget that reflects a reasonable allocation of your income.
- Consider what the inability to live within your income says about your level of contentment. Ask yourself if your spending habits are a reflection of a spirit of discontentment. If it is, spend some time praying and confessing this attitude to God and asking Him to help you be content in who He is.
- Cut up your credit cards and only spend with cash.
Scripture to study: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: rarely
You indicated that you rarely spend less than you earn. As you know, this is a big problem. Regularly spending more money than you earn is a recipe for taking on large amounts of consumer debt. And large amounts of debt leads to further constriction of future available funds. This tends to lead people into a cycle of financial distress. The only way out of a cycle like this is to get a handle on where your money is going and to develop a plan for how you are going to live within your income. Most of the time this can be accomplished by making different spending and lifestyle decisions, but sometimes the only way out of a hole like this is by selling assets or getting another/additional job. If you aren’t in this position yet, the good news is that you can turn things around. If you are in this situation, there is hope, but you’re going to need to make some big changes. Let us encourage you to make this habit a non-negotiable and do everything within your power to figure out how to spend less than you earn.
Actions to take:
- Create a budget. Begin tracking your expenses to figure out where you are spending your money and then create a budget that reflects a reasonable allocation of your income.
- Consider what the inability to live within your income says about your level of contentment. Ask yourself if your spending habits are a reflection of a spirit of discontentment. If it is, spend some time praying and confessing this attitude to God and asking Him to help you be content in who He is.
- Cut up your credit cards and only spend with cash.
Scripture to study: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: sometimes
You indicated that you sometimes spend less than you earn. Most people struggle to regularly spend less than they earn. Regularly spending more money than you earn is a recipe for taking on large amounts of consumer debt. And large amounts of debt leads to further constriction of future available funds. This tends to lead people into a cycle of financial distress. The only way out of a cycle like this is to get a handle on where your money is going and to develop a plan for how you are going to live within your income. The best way to develop the habit of spending less than you earn is to create a written plan and refer to it regularly. Lack of awareness is one of the biggest reasons that people overspend. Another big reason people overspend is an inability to say no to their wants and desires. When you overspend because of this inability, it is a marker that most likely demonstrates a lack of contentment. This is as much of a spiritual issue as it is a practical one. Let us encourage you to try to understand why you’re having a hard time regularly spending less than you earn and then determine to make this habit non-negotiable and do everything within your power to figure out how to spend less than you earn.
Actions to take:
- Create a budget. Begin tracking your expenses to figure out where you are spending your money and then create a budget that reflects a reasonable allocation of your income.
- Consider what the inability to live within your income says about your level of contentment. Ask yourself if your spending habits are a reflection of a spirit of discontentment. If it is, spend some time praying and confessing this attitude to God and asking Him to help you be content in who He is.
Scripture to study: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: usually
You indicated that you usually spend less than you earn. This is a wonderful habit to have. Great job. Continue to pursue this habit with intentionality and purpose. Ask yourself the question, “what does God want me to do with the surplus I have at the end of the month?” Consider how you might engage even more with your excess in the work that God is doing all over the world. You are to be commended for having developed this habit!! Keep up the good work!
Actions to take:
- Set goals for how much surplus you want to create each month and then prayerfully put that excess before God and ask Him where He wants you to use it. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and step out in faith!
- Review your budget and put everything on the table before God. Ask Him to lead you to make any changes that He wants you to make. Step out in faith and trust Him in His leading.
Scripture to study: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: always
You indicated that you always spend less than you earn. This is a wonderful habit to have. Great job. Continue to pursue this habit with intentionality and purpose. Ask yourself the question, “what does God want me to do with the surplus I have at the end of the month?” Consider how you might engage even more with your excess in the work that God is doing all over the world. You are to be commended for having developed this habit!! Keep up the good work!
Actions to take:
- Set goals for how much surplus you want to create each month and then prayerfully put that excess before God and ask Him where He wants you to use it. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and step out in faith!
- Review your budget and put everything on the table before God. Ask Him to lead you to make any changes that He wants you to make. Step out in faith and trust Him in His leading.
Scripture to study: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 John 2:15-17
Resources to go deeper:
Give Generously
While it is true that without the first habit, spend less than you earn, nothing will work well in your financial life, this second habit is the most important for a follower of Jesus. Without this habit, your spiritual life will stagnate and flounder. Generosity is a characteristic of every follower of Jesus, without exception. Giving generously reflects the character, command, and heart of God. It is one of the primary markers of His people. So take this habit as seriously as you take the first one and commit to becoming a person who gives generously.
Do I feel like I am a generous giver?
Your Answer: never
You indicated that you never give generously. There’s a lot of nuance possible in that admission. You may be someone who gives nothing or very little or you may be someone who gives regularly but doesn’t consider it generous. If you belong to the first category, we encourage you to start giving. Giving is a habit that transforms our lives and connects us deeper into the unfolding story of God. God has given us resources as a means to participate in His work. If you’re not participating by giving, we’d encourage you to jump in with both feet. If you belong to the second category, let us encourage you to examine what you think it would mean for you to begin giving generously. Is that an amount or a step of faith? Generosity isn’t something that is easily defined, but it is a posture of open handedness that causes us to enter stories that we wouldn’t otherwise encounter. Cultivate this habit and watch as your faith grows!
Actions to take:
- Set out a path to move toward the habit of generous giving. Journal specific actions you intend to take and when you intend to take them.
- Spend time praying and asking God to give you a heart that longs to be generous. Ask for opportunities to give. Watch for the opportunities and be quick to say yes.
- Go through a Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving (www.Generousgiving.org).
Scripture to study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 4; Isaiah 58:6-10
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: rarely
You indicated that you rarely give generously. There’s a lot of nuance possible in that admission. You may be someone who gives nothing or very little or you may be someone who gives regularly but doesn’t consider it generous. If you belong to the first category, we encourage you to start giving regularly. Giving is a habit that transforms our lives and connects us deeper into the unfolding story of God. God has given us resources as a means to participate in His work. If you’re not participating by giving, we’d encourage you to jump in with both feet. If you belong to the second category, let us encourage you to examine what you think it would mean for you to begin giving generously regularly. Is that an amount or a step of faith? Generosity isn’t something that is easily defined, but it is a posture of open handedness that causes us to enter stories that we wouldn’t otherwise encounter. Cultivate this habit and watch as your faith grows!
Actions to take:
- Set out a path to move toward the habit of regular generous giving. Journal specific actions you intend to take and when you intend to take them.
- Spend time praying and asking God to give you a heart that longs to be generous. Ask for opportunities to give. Watch for the opportunities and be quick to say yes.
- Go through a Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving (www.Generousgiving.org).
Scripture to study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 4; Isaiah 58:6-10
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: sometimes
You indicated that you sometimes give generously. That’s a wonderful habit to have in your life. Generous giving is a habit that brings joy and peace unlike any other habit. We encourage you to continue to cultivate this habit. Giving has a unique way of breaking the power of money in your life. As you consider how you might move even further in this habit, remember that the only things that are safe are those that you give to God. The things you cling to are the things that you will ultimately lose. Hold your things lightly and move toward even more generous giving!
Actions to take:
- Set out a path to move toward the habit of even more regular generous giving. Journal specific actions you intend to take and when you intend to take them.
- Spend time praying and asking God to give you a heart that longs to be generous. Ask for opportunities to give. Watch for the opportunities and be quick to say yes.
- Go through a Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving (www.Generousgiving.org).
Scripture to study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 4; Isaiah 58:6-10
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: usually
You indicated that you usually give generously. That’s a wonderful habit to have in your life. Generous giving is a habit that brings joy and peace unlike any other habit. We encourage you to continue to cultivate this habit. Giving has a unique way of breaking the power of money in your life. As you consider how you might move even further in this habit, remember that the only things that are safe are those that you give to God. The things you cling to are the things that you will ultimately lose. Hold your things lightly and move toward even more generous giving!
Actions to take:
- Spend time praying and asking God to give you a heart that longs to be generous. Ask for opportunities to give. Watch for the opportunities and be quick to say yes.
- Go through a Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving (www.Generousgiving.org).
- Invite some friends into a giving opportunity.
Scripture to study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 4; Isaiah 58:6-10
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: always
You indicated that you always give generously. That’s a wonderful habit to have in your life. Generous giving is a habit that brings joy and peace unlike any other habit. We encourage you to continue to cultivate this habit. Do not grow weary in doing good!! As you know, giving has a unique way of breaking the power of money in your life. As you continue to give, remember that the only things that are safe are those that you give to God. The things you cling to are the things that you will ultimately lose. Hold your things lightly and move toward even more generous giving!
Actions to take:
- Spend time praying and asking God to give you a heart that longs to be generous. Ask for opportunities to give. Watch for the opportunities and be quick to say yes.
- Go through a Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving (www.Generousgiving.org).
- Invite some friends into a giving opportunity.
Scripture to study: 2 Corinthians 8-9; Matthew 6:19-24; Philippians 4; Isaiah 58:6-10
Resources to go deeper:
Avoid the use of debt
This habit is intimately linked to the habit of spending less than we earn. For people who struggle to spend less than they earn, it is practically inevitable that they will end up accumulating a good amount of debt. Once debt begins to build it becomes harder and harder to get out from under. The best habit to develop is one of debt avoidance in almost all circumstances. Debt is nothing more than spending tomorrow’s dollars for today’s things. Let’s begin to cultivate a habit of only spending today’s dollars for today’s things and diligently seek to repay any debt that we have.
Do I feel like I do a pretty good job of avoiding debt?
Your Answer: never
You indicated that you never avoid the use of debt. Debt should only be used in very limited circumstances and only for things where the economic return is greater than the economic cost. If you are regularly using debt to fund your lifestyle, then you are living a life that you cannot really afford. Whatever debt decision you make today, you are predetermining how you must spend money in the future. As a result, you have quite literally mortgaged your future and sentenced yourself to work in a certain way to be able to pay off your prior debt decisions. If you are deep in debt, you need to make a choice to stop going into further debt. Once you do this, you need to begin to systematically pay off your debt. Debt is really easy to get into and really hard to get out of. Make a determination today that you are going to get out of debt and then begin to make choices that will enable you to do this. Be vigilant in this pursuit.
Actions to take:
- Begin doing the debt snowball to pay off your debt (www.ronblueinstitute.com/tools)
- Journal your convictions about what type of debt you are comfortable having and how you want to make future debt decisions.
- If you struggle with controlling your impulses on spending, get rid of your credit cards. Literally cut them up and cancel them.
Scripture to study: James 4:13-16; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Psalm 37:21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: rarely
You indicated that you rarely avoid the use of debt. Debt should only be used in very limited circumstances and only for things where the economic return is greater than the economic cost. If you are regularly using debt to fund your lifestyle, then you are living a life that you cannot really afford. Whatever debt decision you make today, you are predetermining how you must spend money in the future. As a result, you have quite literally mortgaged your future and sentenced yourself to work in a certain way to be able to pay off your prior debt decisions. If you are deep in debt, you need to make a choice to stop going into further debt. Once you do this, you need to begin to systematically pay off your debt. Debt is really easy to get into and really hard to get out of. Make a determination today that you are going to get out of debt and then begin to make choices that will enable you to do this. Be vigilant in this pursuit.
Actions to take:
- Begin doing the debt snowball to pay off your debt (www.ronblueinstitute.com/tools)
- Journal your convictions about what type of debt you are comfortable having and how you want to make future debt decisions.
- If you struggle with controlling your impulses on spending, get rid of your credit cards. Literally cut them up and cancel them.
Scripture to study: James 4:13-16; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Psalm 37:21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: sometimes
You indicated that you sometimes avoid the use of debt. Debt should only be used in very limited circumstances and only for things where the economic return is greater than the economic cost. If you are regularly using debt to fund your lifestyle, then you are living a life that you cannot really afford. Whatever debt decision you make today, you are predetermining how you must spend money in the future. As a result, you have quite literally mortgaged your future and sentenced yourself to work in a certain way to be able to pay off your prior debt decisions. If you are deep in debt, you need to make a choice to stop going into further debt. Once you do this, you need to begin to systematically pay off your debt. Debt is really easy to get into and really hard to get out of. Make a determination today that you are going to get out of debt and then begin to make choices that will enable you to do this. Be vigilant in this pursuit.
Actions to take:
- Begin doing the debt snowball to pay off your debt (www.ronblueinstitute.com/tools)
- Journal your convictions about what type of debt you are comfortable having and how you want to make future debt decisions.
- If you struggle with controlling your impulses on spending, get rid of your credit cards. Literally cut them up and cancel them.
Scripture to study: James 4:13-16; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Psalm 37:21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: usually
You indicated that you usually avoid the use of debt. This is a very good habit to have. As you most likely believe, debt should only be used in very limited circumstances and only for things where the economic return is greater than the economic cost. Staying out of debt is one of the most important habits for people who are financially healthy and financially nimble. Debt makes you a slave to the lender and you quite literally become obligated to work to repay your lender. Let us encourage you to continue to avoid debt and seek to repay any debts you do have with diligence.
Actions to take:
- Journal your convictions about what type of debt you are comfortable having and how you want to make future debt decisions.
- If you have some debt, determine when you would like to repay it and how you plan on doing that. Record your goals and keep them visible.
Scripture to study: James 4:13-16; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Psalm 37:21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: always
You indicated that you always avoid the use of debt. This is a very good habit to have. Staying out of debt is one of the most important habits for people who are financially healthy and financially nimble. Debt makes you a slave to the lender and you quite literally become obligated to work to repay your lender. Let us encourage you to continue to avoid debt and seek to repay any debts you do have with diligence. Great job!!
Actions to take:
- Journal your convictions about what type of debt you are comfortable having and how you want to make future debt decisions.
- If you have some debt, determine when you would like to repay it and how you plan on doing that. Record your goals and keep them visible.
Scripture to study: James 4:13-16; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Psalm 37:21
Resources to go deeper:
Plan for financial margin
Planning for financial margin is a necessary habit because the unexpected will always occur. If you’ve lived on a budget before you know that nearly every month some unexpected expense comes up and threatens to derail your plans. Having financial margin means that you have planned to have money saved for emergencies and you have some room in your budget for the unexpected. This habit works hand in hand with the habit of spending less than you earn. Margin enables you to prepare for the unexpected and creates flexibility to meet the needs of others as they arise.
Do I consistently build enough room in my budget for financial margin?
Your Answer: never
You indicated that you never plan for financial margin. The lack of financial margin usually leads to emotional and financial stress. If you don’t plan for financial margin, the chances of having enough margin to deal with the unexpected or to care for others is almost non-existent. Just like with time, a failure to leave margin in your financial life inevitably leads to trouble. While we shy away from giving prescriptive answers to people, we would encourage you to consider determining to set aside some moderate amount of money to help cover the unexpected expenses that arise in any given month. Once you have done this, seek to establish spending habits and patterns that allow for margin to exist in your budget each month. At the end of the month, if there is money left over, you can prayerfully determine what God is asking you to do with it. Without planning for margin, you will never get to this point in your financial and spiritual maturity.
Actions to take:
- Set aside $1,000-$2,000 as an emergency fund to deal with emergencies.
- Seek to modify your budget so that you have some margin each month. When you have extra at the end of the month, prayerfully journal how God might be leading you to use that money.
- Journal thoughts about how you might more deeply engage with God’s work in the world if you were able to create more margin (financially and time) in your life. Seek to develop habits to create this margin.
Scripture to study: Proverbs 27:23-27; Luke 12:16-21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: rarely
You indicated that you rarely plan for financial margin. The lack of financial margin usually leads to emotional and financial stress. If you don’t plan for financial margin, the chances of having enough margin to deal with the unexpected or to care for others is almost non-existent. Just like with time, a failure to leave margin in your financial life inevitably leads to trouble. While we shy away from giving prescriptive answers to people, we would encourage you to consider determining to set aside some moderate amount of money to help cover the unexpected expenses that arise in any given month. Once you have done this, seek to establish spending habits and patterns that allow for margin to exist in your budget each month. At the end of the month, if there is money left over, you can prayerfully determine what God is asking you to do with it. Without planning for margin, you will never get to this point in your financial and spiritual maturity.
Actions to take:
- Set aside $1,000-$2,000 as an emergency fund to deal with emergencies.
- Seek to modify your budget so that you have some margin each month. When you have extra at the end of the month, prayerfully journal how God might be leading you to use that money.
- Journal thoughts about how you might more deeply engage with God’s work in the world if you were able to create more margin (financially and time) in your life. Seek to develop habits to create this margin.
Scripture to study: Proverbs 27:23-27; Luke 12:16-21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: sometimes
You indicated that you sometimes plan for financial margin. This is a good first step in developing this habit. If you don’t plan for financial margin, the chances of having enough margin to deal with the unexpected or to care for others is almost non-existent. Just like with time, a failure to leave margin in your financial life inevitably leads to trouble. Building regular margin into your life will lead to a healthier ability to weather the unexpected storms of life and will create the space necessary for you to more regularly engage with others in their seasons of need. Whenever you have margin let us encourage you to prayerfully ask God how He wants you to use that margin. Without planning for margin or seeking His direction, you will never get to this point in your financial and spiritual maturity.
Actions to take:
- Set aside $1,000-$2,000 as an emergency fund to deal with emergencies.
- Seek to modify your budget so that you have some margin each month. When you have extra at the end of the month, prayerfully journal how God might be leading you to use that money.
- Journal thoughts about how you might more deeply engage with God’s work in the world if you were able to create more margin (financially and time) in your life. Seek to develop habits to create this margin.
Scripture to study: Proverbs 27:23-27; Luke 12:16-21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: usually
You indicated that you usually plan for financial margin. This is a great first step in developing this habit. Having some financial margin in your life helps you deal with the unexpected and care for others in their times of need. Just like with time, a failure to leave margin in your financial life inevitably leads to trouble. Building regular margin into your life leads to a healthier ability to weather the unexpected storms of life and creates the space necessary for you to more regularly engage with others in their seasons of need. Whenever you have margin let us encourage you to prayerfully ask God how He wants you to use that margin. Without planning for margin or seeking His direction, you will never get to this point in your financial and spiritual maturity.
Actions to take:
- Journal thoughts about how you might more deeply engage with God’s work in the world with your margin. Seek to deploy your margin in obedience to God’s leading.
- Prayerfully ask God to help you determine how much margin you should store away and what you should do with the extra. Seek to obey Him and always hold your extra with an open hand.
Scripture to study: Proverbs 27:23-27; Luke 12:16-21
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: always
You indicated that you always plan for financial margin. This is fantastic. Great job!! Having financial margin in your life helps you deal with the unexpected and care for others in their times of need. Just like with time, a failure to leave margin in your financial life inevitably leads to trouble. Building regular margin into your life leads to a healthier ability to weather the unexpected storms of life and creates the space necessary for you to more regularly engage with others in their seasons of need. Since you regularly have margin in your financial life, let us encourage you to prayerfully ask God how He wants you to use that margin. Seek to determine what He wants you to keep and what He wants you to deploy for His glory. Stay open handed and always keep what you have set aside available to Him for His purposes.
Actions to take:
- Journal thoughts about how you might more deeply engage with God’s work in the world with your margin. Seek to deploy your margin in obedience to God’s leading.
- Prayerfully ask God to help you determine how much margin you should store away and what you should do with the extra. Seek to obey Him and always hold your extra with an open hand.
Scripture to study: Proverbs 27:23-27; Luke 12:16-21
Resources to go deeper:
Set long-term goals
There’s always a balance between setting long-term goals and being open to God’s leading. We don’t think these two things are mutually exclusive. Setting long-term goals is a process where you ask God what He wants you to move toward. As you move toward these goals, you actively listen to God and discern when He tells you to head toward something else. Understood this way, long-term goals are simply statements of faith that you move toward in your life and they serve as means through which God directs and moves you into the plans He’s prepared in advance for you to do.
Do I set and stick with long-term goals until they are fulfilled?
Your Answer: never
You indicated that you never set long-term goals. Without some statement of where you’re heading, it’s very difficult to make daily decisions in your finances. Whether you are intentional or not in setting goals, there is always a trade-off between the short-term and the long-term. The only way to make a logical plan for your finances is to have some idea as to where you are heading. These stated intentions are simply known as long-term goals. Goals are intended to be written in sand and not in concrete, but they are intended to help us make decisions today with an eye toward tomorrow. Over time, as you mature in your faith, your long-term time horizon looks more into eternity than into retirement. Once you begin making long-term goals in light of eternity, all of your present decisions look different.
Actions to take:
- Set aside time to spend with God asking Him, “God, where do you want me headed over the next 1, 5, 10, 20 years.” Write down your answers.
- Take these statements from #1 and try to write 3-5 goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- Regularly revisit your goals and ask God to give you wisdom on which to keep and which to modify.
Scripture to study: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:12-21; James 4:13-16
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: rarely
You indicated that you rarely set long-term goals. Without some statement of where you’re heading, it’s very difficult to make daily decisions in your finances. Whether you are intentional or not in setting goals, there is always a trade-off between the short-term and the long-term. The only way to make a logical plan for your finances is to have some idea as to where you are heading. These stated intentions are simply known as long-term goals. Goals are intended to be written in sand and not in concrete, but they are intended to help us make decisions today with an eye toward tomorrow. Over time, as you mature in your faith, your long-term time horizon looks more into eternity than into retirement. Once you begin making long-term goals in light of eternity, all of your present decisions look different.
Actions to take:
- Set aside time to spend with God asking Him, “God, where do you want me headed over the next 1, 5, 10, 20 years.” Write down your answers.
- Take these statements from #1 and try to write 3-5 goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- Regularly revisit your goals and ask God to give you wisdom on which to keep and which to modify.
Scripture to study: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:12-21; James 4:13-16
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: sometimes
You indicated that you sometimes set long-term goals. This is a good habit to cultivate. When you set a long-term goal you are acknowledging that there are decisions you need to make today in order to prepare for something in the future. When you don’t know where you are heading, you don’t know how to make decisions today that will help you prepare for that destination. When you do state your goals, remember that goals are intended to be written in sand and not in concrete. Goals should never be thought of as unchangeable, but they should be used to help you keep a long-term perspective. Over time, as you mature in your faith, your long-term time horizon looks more into eternity than into retirement. Once you begin making long-term goals in light of eternity, all of your present decisions look different. As you set goals for your future begin considering how your decisions today could be directed toward making an eternal impact.
Actions to take:
- Set aside time to spend with God asking Him, “God, where do you want me headed over the next 1, 5, 10, 20 years.” Write down your answers.
- Take these statements from #1 and try to write 3-5 goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- Regularly revisit your goals and ask God to give you wisdom on which to keep and which to modify.
Scripture to study: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:12-21; James 4:13-16
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: usually
You indicated that you usually set long-term goals. This is a good habit to cultivate. When you set a long-term goal you are acknowledging that there are decisions you need to make today in order to prepare for something in the future. When you don’t know where you are heading, you don’t know how to make decisions today that will help you prepare for that destination. As a goal setter it will be important for you to remember that goals are intended to be written in sand and not in concrete. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your goals are unchangeable. Goals are meant to help you keep a long-term perspective, but always with the mind of pursuing wherever God is leading you. Over time, as you mature in your faith, your long-term time horizon looks more into eternity than into retirement. Once you begin making long-term goals in light of eternity, all of your present decisions look different. As you set goals for your future begin considering how your decisions today could be directed toward making an eternal impact.
Actions to take:
- Set aside time to spend with God asking Him, “God, where do you want me headed over the next 1, 5, 10, 20 years.” Write down your answers.
- Take these statements from #1 and try to write 3-5 goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- Regularly revisit your goals and ask God to give you wisdom on which to keep and which to modify.
Scripture to study: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:12-21; James 4:13-16
Resources to go deeper:
Your Answer: always
You indicated that you always set long-term goals. This is a good habit to cultivate. When you set a long-term goal you are acknowledging that there are decisions you need to make today in order to prepare for something in the future. When you don’t know where you are heading, you don’t know how to make decisions today that will help you prepare for that destination. As a goal setter it will be important for you to remember that goals are intended to be written in sand and not in concrete. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your goals are unchangeable. Goals are meant to help you keep a long-term perspective, but always with the mind of pursuing wherever God is leading you. Over time, as you mature in your faith, your long-term time horizon looks more into eternity than into retirement. Once you begin making long-term goals in light of eternity, all of your present decisions look different. As you set goals for your future begin considering how your decisions today could be directed toward making an eternal impact.
Actions to take:
- Set aside time to spend with God asking Him, “God, where do you want me headed over the next 1, 5, 10, 20 years.” Write down your answers.
- Take these statements from #1 and try to write 3-5 goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound.
- Regularly revisit your goals and ask God to give you wisdom on which to keep and which to modify.
Scripture to study: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:12-21; James 4:13-16
Resources to go deeper: