The Wealth God Gave You Workbook

Start with one decision you’ll make today. Maybe it’s a $60 grocery trip, a $35 meal out, a $200 tool purchase, or a $500 payment toward debt. The amount matters less than the direction. A faithful choice is not always the cheapest choice. It’s the choice that fits your values and responsibilities.

Your Purpose-to-Purchase Map

Materials needed: A notebook or printed workbook page, a pen, and your bank app or a recent account statement. Time required: 15 minutes. Expected outcome: You will name three money purposes and use them to evaluate one real spending decision.

Your Turn

1. Write three money purposes that matter to you right now. Choose purposes you can act on, not broad wishes. Examples include “provide stable housing,” “give $25 each month,” “save for reliable transportation,” or “reduce credit card debt by $100 monthly.”

• My first money purpose: ________________________________________ - My second money purpose: _____________________________________ - My third money purpose: ________________________________________

2. Beside each purpose, write the faith value connected to it. For example, providing stable housing may connect with responsibility. Giving may connect with generosity. Paying debt may connect with honesty and freedom.

• Purpose 1 faith value: __________________________________________ - Purpose 2 faith value: ________________________________________ - Purpose 3 faith value: __________________________________________

3. Choose one upcoming money decision within the next seven days. Write the exact decision and amount. Avoid writing “spend less.” Write “decide whether to buy the $48 kitchen appliance” or “choose how to use Friday’s $150 leftover.”

• Decision: ______________________________________________________ - Amount: $____________________________________________________ - Date I expect to make it: _______________________________________

4. Test the decision with these three questions. Answer each one in a complete sentence.

Does this choice honor God and reflect my faith? _________________________________________________________________

Does this choice meet a real responsibility or support a named purpose? _________________________________________________________________

What will this money make possible after I spend it? _________________________________________________________________

5. Choose one action. Mark the statement that fits:

• [ ] I will make the purchase as planned. - [ ] I will wait 24 hours before deciding. - [ ] I will choose a lower-cost option. - [ ] I will redirect the money to a higher-priority purpose. - [ ] I will ask for wise counsel before deciding.

6. Put a reminder where you’ll see it before making the decision. Set a phone reminder, write a note in your wallet, or add a label in your banking app. Use this sentence: “This money has a purpose.”

Completed example:

> Money purposes: > 1. Keep our household current on bills. > 2. Give $25 each month. > 3. Save $100 monthly for a dependable work vehicle. > > Upcoming decision: Buy a $180 upgraded pressure washer this Saturday. > > Does it honor God and reflect my faith? > It could support honest work, but I need to check whether the purchase is wise right now. > > Does it meet a responsibility or support a purpose? > It may help my business, but my electric bill is due first, and I’m short $75. > > What will this money make possible? > Buying it now may improve my work, but paying the bill protects my household from a late fee. > > Action: Wait 24 hours, pay the electric bill, and compare a used model before buying.

You’re finished when you have written three purposes, connected each to a faith value, evaluated one real decision, and chosen one specific action. Don’t leave the final action floating around in your head. Schedule it or write it where you’ll see it.

Practice Purpose in Everyday Money Decisions

Purpose becomes useful when it shows up in ordinary moments. At the grocery store, faith and responsibility may lead you to buy the food your household needs before adding convenience items. That doesn’t mean every treat is wrong. It means your choices serve the plan instead of quietly replacing it.

At work, purpose can guide a purchase. A plumber may need a replacement tool to complete jobs safely. A gym owner may need equipment that improves service. A parent may need dependable transportation to get to work and care for children. Ask whether the purchase supports a real need, earns its place, and fits the money already available. The expected outcome is a decision based on purpose rather than urgency or image.

Purpose also helps when money comes in unexpectedly. If you receive a $300 bonus, you might divide it before spending: $150 toward an overdue bill, $75 toward giving or helping someone, and $75 toward a needed repair. The exact amounts will differ, but the practice is the same. Give every dollar a job before the money disappears.

Use a short pause whenever a decision feels emotionally charged. Say a brief prayer, name the purpose, and check the numbers. If a $90 online purchase appears after a difficult day, waiting until tomorrow may protect both your budget and your peace. If a friend asks to borrow $200, purpose can help you respond honestly. You may choose to give $25 instead, or say no because your current responsibility comes first.

For the next seven days, use this three-part sentence before three money decisions: “God, help me use this money wisely. My responsibility is __. My purpose is __.” Record whether you followed through. You’ll know the practice is working when you can name the purpose before spending and make at least two decisions that match it.

Reflect and Choose Your Next Faithful Step

1. Which of your current money decisions is most influenced by pressure, habit, or emotion instead of a clear purpose? What specific change will you make before your next payday?

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2. Which responsibility must receive attention first this week, and what dollar amount will you assign to it?

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3. What is one way you will use money to express generosity or service during the next 30 days? Include the amount, person or cause, and date.

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Your money doesn’t have to be large to be meaningful. A grocery choice, a paid bill, a saved dollar, or a thoughtful gift can all reflect faithful stewardship. When you give your money a clear purpose, you make room for wiser decisions - and for peace that isn’t controlled by the next purchase.

End of chapter one. 6 more chapters in the full book.