But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it. Luke 14:28

Lately, I have become aware that some of the young people with whom I come in contact struggle with the mastery of our American currency system. Our current generation has and still is growing up with a totally electronic shopping experience. Whether it be buying new clothes, eating at restaurants, listening to music, or watching their favorite streaming entertainment, the transaction is accomplished electronically.

As an example, our granddaughter recently spent a few days with us. Before leaving home, her parents had exchanged her Apple Cash account for actual money so she’d be able to shop at flea markets and garage sales while with us. During one of our outings, we decided to purchase a bag of kettle corn, but she also wanted some pork rinds. The price was $6 each or two for $10. I said, “Let me pay for it, and you can pay me back.” She said she only had a twenty-dollar bill. I told her we’d break it when she found something else she wanted to buy, and we’d ask the cashier for the correct change to take care of it. I may as well have been speaking Greek. She had no knowledge of making change. So began our discourse regarding combinations of paper bills that totaled twenty dollars. In the end, I paid for the pork rinds, and I’m unsure how much she understood of our little lesson. Since then, Ken had a conversation with a young neighbor who also didn’t understand the concept of making change.

A few years ago, we had quite a discussion with a young clerk in a fast-food restaurant who told us the wrong amount for our purchase, and we informed her that it was more than it should be. She argued that whatever her register said was correct, and we were wrong. The discussion became loud enough that the manager appeared, asking what he could do to help. She explained her claim, the manager looked at the register, told her to close it down immediately because it was incorrect, and to re-ring our purchase on a different register. She was not happy, but she learned that machines can make errors.

Perhaps our kids no longer really need to know how to make change or balance a checkbook. There is talk of eliminating currency completely, meaning no money would ever change hands. Our personal finances would all be handled electronically, and cash would be another dinosaur of our past. But, even if cash and checkbooks are going the way of two-dollar bills and cursive writing, we still need to know how to make and stay on a budget, and that’s a real challenge for many people. Disagreements over money rank high on the list of reasons why relationships go astray.

God knew that the management of our financial resources would be difficult for us, and he provided lots of Biblical instruction as to how we should view our personal wealth, no matter how large or small it happens to be. He also instructed us to be content with what we have. He didn’t want us to over-extend ourselves.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

One more quick little story. When our youngest was in her senior year at college, her roommate came home distraught one day. The bank had bounced a check, and she didn’t understand why. Our daughter asked if she had money in the bank, and she answered, “I still have checks, so I guess I still have money in the bank.” Fourth-year college student, and she didn’t understand the principles of a checking account. Today, she’d have a refillable credit card or an electronic cash account. If she tried to purchase something that exceeded her account balance, she’d be told she needed a refill or a new funding source. Maybe there’s merit in this new system. At least, we can’t bounce a check.

My point is that we all need to know how to deal with our money responsibly, whether we pay in cold, hard cash, credit cards, or online payment services. If you don’t feel confident in your spending habits, have trouble setting a budget and sticking to it, or know someone who does, find a reliable program and get started on the road to fiscal responsibility.

The most important thing to remember is that the first line item in your budget is to return to God the portion that is His and to do it cheerfully, for God loves a cheerful giver. From there, let God guide your financial decisions, and you’ll find a peace and contentment you’ve not known before.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. II Corinthians 9:7