Dollars & Sense - Part 3

February 22nd, 2026

Money touches almost every part of our lives—and for many of us, it’s a source of stress, guilt, or fear. Whether it’s debt, past mistakes, or pressure to keep up, the world’s way of handling money isn’t really working. We’re diving into Dollars & Sense, a four-week series on how to view and use money God’s way. This isn’t about getting something from you—it’s about giving you peace, freedom, and joy in an area of life that so often brings stress. We’ll explore big questions: Are we owners or stewards? What does it really mean to give? How can we live within our means? And ultimately, can we trust God with our finances like we trust Him with our eternity?

Takeaway: Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

Week 1: Owners or Stewards? How we view money shapes how we use it.

Week 2: Have To or Get To? Giving to God is a blessing, not a burden.

Week 3: Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

A recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association indicates that as many as 8 out of 10 Americans are stressed because of money concerns. (duke.edu/concerns/emotional/stress)

Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

Budget

Budget: a plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures; the amount of money that is available for, required for, or assigned to a particular purpose. (merriam-webster.com)

The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
– Proverbs 21:5 (CSB)

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

“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”
– Luke 14:28–30 (CSB)

Ron Blue – Blue Trust
Larry Burkett – Crown Financial Ministries
Dave Ramsey – Ramsey Solutions

Budget – a plan to give, save, and spend wisely

Give to God first

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
– Acts 20:35b (CSB)

Grey Matter Research & Consulting surveyed more than 1,100 charitable donors nationwide. On average, donors believed they gave about 4.6% of their household income to charity. In reality, the average donor gave just 1.22% (www.nonprofitpro.com)

Budget – a plan to give, save, and spend wisely

Give to God first
Save for the future

Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.
– Proverbs 6:6–8 (CSB)

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren.
– Proverbs 13:22a (CSB)

Budget – a plan to give, save, and spend wisely

Give to God first
Save for the future
Spend on needs (essential)

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
– 1 Timothy 6:8 (CSB)

“It is wise to clarify the distinction between needs and desires, and to be honest about it before God. Our true needs are few and basic: we need God, love, relationships, meaningful work, food, clothing, and shelter. Most of the rest of what we call needs are instead desires, relative to the age and location in which we live.”
– Dr. Richard Swenson, Margin

Budget – a plan to give, save, and spend wisely

Give to God first
Save for the future
Spend on needs (essential)
Spend on enjoyment (nonessential)

Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.
– Ecclesiastes 5:18 (CSB)

“I don’t think God limits us to only our needs. He is a generous, gracious God who allows us many of our desires.”
– Dr. Richard Swenson, Margin

Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

Budget
Discipline

“It is human nature to want it and want it now; it is also a sign of immaturity. Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity.”
– Dave Ramsey

The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.
– Proverbs 21:17, 20

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
– Galatians 5:22–23a (CSB)

Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

Budget
Discipline
Contentment

Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
– Exodus 20:17 (CSB)

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content –whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
– Philippians 4:10–13 (CSB)

Maxed Out or Margin? Living within our means means less stress and more peace.

Budget
Discipline
Contentment

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