Your Country Needs a Budget and So Do You!

As you are aware, every country in the world sets a budget each year on how much tax they expect their citizens to pay to ensure that there is enough money coming in to ensure that the country can run efficiently. 

When it comes to budgeting, a country will ensure that the various areas and needs within the country receive enough money to function efficiently. 

Funds need to be allocated to various sectors that include…

• Infrastructure 
• Building and road maintenance,
• Healthcare,
• Education, 
• Defence, 
• Government administration,
• Debt repayments (unfortunately, many countries have way too much debt!), 
• Social grants, and 
• Many of the other services that are so crucial to helping the country function efficiently. 

A budget helps to ensure good cash flow. Without a budget, a country would be left in trouble.

Just like a country needs a budget, so do you.

Having a budget is all about planning and managing your finances. Without a budget, both your country and you will be in trouble. It is, therefore, important to set up a BUDGET and stick to it. This will ensure that you have enough income to cover your expenses.

A budget is a delicate balancing act: Within a budget, you need to weigh up your expected INCOME against anticipated EXPENSES. You need to set funds aside for unexpected EMERGENCIES and have funds available for CONTINGENCY NEEDS. You also need to LIMIT DEBT as debt can erode future cash flow, and PLAN AHEAD by building up provisions for FUTURE NEEDS. 

A budget needs to be REVIEWED regularly. 

You also need to MONITOR your spending and make changes from time to time, if for example, your income takes a knock over a season, or if another important area arises that needs to be added to your budget. 

You may need to put a certain project off for the year to cover a more pressing need. Your budget can, therefore, be a bit of a JUGGLING ACT, but you need to do your best to STAY DISCIPLINED, and STICK TO YOUR PLANS.

Look at these Bible verses on money management and budgeting…

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

Jesus said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” (Matthew 14:28)

“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” (Proverbs 21:20)

“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16)

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” (Proverbs 27:12)

So, I want to encourage you to…

• Create a budget.
• Know what is coming IN and know what is flowing OUT.
• Review your expenses.
• Manage your money well.
• Try to eliminate wasting money.
• Be disciplined.
• Keep tight control of your money.
• Avoid bad debt.
• Live within your means.
• Save.
• And lastly, I implore you to put God first in your budget.

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

“Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)

If a country budgets its money well, it will prosper, and the citizens will benefit. Likewise, if you budget effectively and manage your money efficiently, you can set yourself and your family up for a brighter tomorrow!