Winter is fading. Spring is springing. Hope is in the air.

We can even smell the hope of returning to good financial habits.

Well, okay, maybe not exactly. But spring does bring hope. And at More Than Enough it is always spring; spring that leads to the summer of freedom – financial freedom.

 

At More Than Enough our mission, our calling, our passion  is “bringing hope for today and freedom for tomorrow.”

 

Bringing hope. Not always easy, but in the case of creating and restoring good financial habits, this is what we love to do.

 

So when you fall off the wagon of good financial habits,  how do you get back on? You have overspent. Had emergencies. Had extra dental bills. Sometimes it is not your fault for falling off into overspending and debt. In the case of David and I, we had unexpected dental bills for a root canal, a new car to buy, and a well pump that started pumping dirt and sediment into our house. And that is all since Christmas. While we had funds for some of these expenses, the timing of all these at once leaves us spinning.

 

But here is what I hear.

Retrieved from: http://www.hickerphoto.com/picture/flowering-trees-9847.htm

First Things First!

In the book of Revelation, God speaks to the church of Ephesus and tells them they have forsaken their first love. His answer? “Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first.” (See Revelation 2:5) While God is not giving us this directive in relation to our finances specifically, the principles remain the same.

Remember the Height

In the past you have done things “right”. You have had an emergency cushion in place. You had some savings. You spent less than you made. You invested money and time in eternal rewards – family, friends, the poor, the needy. Remember what that was like. Less stress. More stability. Joy in giving. Remember the intentional choices that you needed to make so you were prepared for the expected and the unexpected.

Repent

Spend time with God your loving, good Father. Turn back to Him. If there are choices, attitudes or decisions you have made that have not been in line with the principles of the Father, turn away from them, and turn to God. Talk to Him about them. Don’t stay in guilt but receive His forgiveness and favour. Remember his mercies are new every morning and they are for you.

Return the First Things

What have you done in the past that has worked financially for you? What intentional decisions were you making? What envelopes were you creating? When did you say “no”? When did you say “yes”? Remember what you did and return to them. You may find that some of those things don’t work in the same way, but look at the principles, and put them into action.

 

God’s word does not lie. His principles are effective.

Remember.

Repent.

Return to the first things.

You will find not only your finances restored, but your relationship with the Father and the Hope and freedom that permeates all of your life.

 

Do me a favour as you consider these thoughts this week. Go and listen to Rend Collective’s song “Finally Free”.  You can find it on You Tube. Close your eyes. Get quiet. Put the music on. Put your earbuds in and focus on Christ. Worship. Remember. Repent. Return. “My soul cries out, Holy, Holy, my heart is lost in your beauty. My hope is found in your mercy. You paid the price and now I am finally free.”

Hope for today and freedom for tomorrow. You have more than enough.

 

Rebecca van Noppen is a teacher, home educator, writer, intercessor, and More Than Enough blogger, who happens to be married to a financial coach. A lover of Jesus, she is on a journey of surrender, kindness, and generosity.