The Blessing Budget

The Blessing Budget

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

James 2:14

A few years ago, my husband and I went through a budgeting course and got our financial house in order. It felt good to know where our money was going each month, what we were paying off, and what we could afford. One area that has been a priority since the very beginning of our marriage is being generous with our finances, and it was with that idea in mind that my husband came up with the “blessing budget.”

On a practical level, our blessing budget is a sinking fund, meaning we add to it each month and it builds up over time so that we’re prepared for opportunities that arise to help those in need. It’s a separate category from other giving, such as tithing, and is specifically designated for blessing others.

Of course, it’s possible to help others in ways that don’t cost any money at all. But for us, having a blessing budget gives us the freedom to help as needs arise without wondering if we really have the funds to do so. Living out our faith means that we’re willing to live it out in our actions, and sometimes that means helping in areas of need by providing material goods or services. And, honestly, it’s fun.

I keep an ongoing list of what we give, and every once in a while we read through it. Each time we do, we are amazed at the ways God has been able to use that little seed money, and we marvel at how it always seems to go further than we’d imagined. Through it, we’ve been able to pay for appliances for people who need them, plane tickets for folks who haven’t seen their loved ones in way too long, car repairs, medical bills, supplies for newborns, food for the homeless, rent, electric bills, and more.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Put together a plan of action for building your own blessing budget. Begin to set aside funds, even small amounts, that you can use to help others in their time of need.