It takes money to live, and sadly for many, money becomes their reason to live. “The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands” (Psalms 135:15). Food and procreation can have a similar hold on people’s lives becoming their joy, passion and primary purpose in life.

What really is your purpose with money? Is it to make you happy, to have fun, to eat, or …. is it a means that your Lord directs its use of to make a difference in the world? Everything is His, and He graciously extends the use of it to us for His purposes. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalms 24:1).

A good way to self-evaluate the place your money has in your life is to analyze your budget. (Don’t have one? Make one and use it. Not having one is a pretty good indication of a likely problem.)

As you look at each category that money is spent on and how much, ask yourself tough questions. Is the Lord pleased and the One ultimately directing in this area? Is this selfish or wasteful? What place does giving have in your budget?

Unless money has its correct position in our lives we will struggle to be content in Christ and debt-free. Growing up years will have had a significant impact on your attitude about money. We can’t ignore the impact of our choices on shaping our children’s attitude toward money.  Are you committed to your children being debt-free?