$$$ Influences

Read Luke 12:15, 34
This scripture explains that when we spend our money on something, its value and importance tend to grow in our minds. Since we can become blind to our own materialism and we can live in denial - Jesus says, “Watch out!” Are you on alert to any subtle ways money influences or directs your use of time? Relationships?

I'd say I tend to be almost too controlling when it comes to budgeting or spending.  Full disclosure here: to keep track of our spending, I use Quicken, a spreadsheet AND an iPhone app that acts like Dave Ramsey's envelope system.  Yes, you read that right - three different tools to track spending. Tracking our expenses in all three of these means I spend a LOT of time looking at our money.  Probably to a fault.  And I completely stress about it, too, which in turn sometimes puts a strain on Ron and I's relationship.  Then we usually sit down for an hour or longer conversation in which I lament about how we don't save as much, and Ron talks me off the ledge by showing me exactly how much we have in savings and investments, and I feel a little better - for a little while.

I need to realize that God is in control, God will provide, and as long as we do our best to be good stewards of all of the money He's given us, then He will take care of us.  But by being anxious and trying to control it all myself, I'm basically telling God, "I can handle this better than You can."  Which is SO not true!