Day 9 – Accountability

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:29-30 NKJV

We are all very familiar with the parable of the talents and the many great teachings from it. But there is an underlaying message resonating with me every time I read it: accountability. An important spiritual discipline we need to practice and refine when it comes to the coins in our purses. Can you account for every cent spent after a trip to the shop? I know I can’t always.

The past year I had to train myself to stick to my shopping list and when I get home to thank God for what I was able to buy and help me use it for the good of His Kingdom and the well-being of my family. Each meal, coffee, or clothing item was bought with the intent of caring for my family’s physical needs because I am accountable for using what God gave me to provide and care for them. It’s simple mathematics sometimes complicated by the enemy luring us to spend on things we don’t need.

Becoming accountable with your finances soon becomes a healthy spiritual discipline teaching you not to overspend and using what you have in an accountable way to please God. I always advise that you sit down with your budget and have a financial meeting with God, asking Him for guidance on what to spend where and where you can help sow into the Kingdom. His guidance will always point you in the direction of doing more with what you have than what you think you can.

Prayer: Father, please forgive me for the times I spent unnecessarily and thoughtlessly buying things I do not need. Teach me to be accountable for what I have and help me to think differently about my budget. Teach me to make every sent work for the intent You provided it for. Amen.