Know where your money is going The First Step to Financial Peace is Awareness
2026 Financial Empowerment Sermon Series, Part 1
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?”
Luke 14:28
Nothing meaningful should be started without awareness. Planning is wisdom, not lack of faith. Small decisions NOW prevents big regrets LATER. Clarity determines completion. 4 Main Lessons from Luke 14:28
1 . Unused Subscriptions & Memberships
2 . Eating Out Too Frequently
3 . Impulsive Purchases (Amazon, etc.)
4 . Brand-Name Loyalty
5 . Emotional Spending
6 . Overpriced Phone Plans
6 Areas Where Most People Waste Money
Less than 45% of Americans could cover an unexpected $1,000 expense without borrowing. 22% of adults have no emergency savings at all, and only 30% can cover 3-5 months of expenses. Less than 50% of Americans save regularly each month. only 17% of Americans save for retirement consistently. The U.S household debt as of 2025 is $18.39 trillion (mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, etc.) The average American credit card debt is $8,300 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck 72% of Americans say they would be happier if they saved more
God has a lesson in the Scriptures for you on today!
WANTS
NEEDS
Rent or Mortgage Utilties (electric, gas, etc.) Groceries Basic Clothing Public Transportation Phone Service Medical & Life Insurance Childcare Debt Payments Other REQUIRED Expenses
Daily Coffee Runs (Starbucks) Multiple Streaming Services Upgrading Phones Lottery Tickets Gambling Apps Hookah, Cigarettes, and Weed Alcohol Beverages Hair, Nails, Eyelashes, etc. Attending Parties, Events, etc. Vacations with Credit Cards
Knowing the Difference Between WANTS vs. NEEDS...and Respecting Them
Your money is a tool and a blessing from the Lord, but if you don’t tell it where to go, it will decide for you.
WAY # 1 Slowing Down and Paying ATTENTION
Verse 28 “Does not sit down first and count the cost......”
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
Verse 28 “Does not sit down first and count the cost......” Jesus started with posture before process. Tracking your money begins by slowing your pace and becoming intentional. You cannot track money you rush past.
WAY # 1 Slowing Down and Paying ATTENTION
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
WAY # 1 Slowing Down and Paying ATTENTION
Stop guessing and start noticing what you are spending. Check your accounts weekly, not emotionally (only when you are financially stressing). Financial awareness will require more financial attention.
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
WAY # 2 Give Every Dollar a NAME
Verse 28 “Count the cost...”
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
WAY # 2 Give Every Dollar a NAME
LABEL CATEGORIES CLEARLY
Housing, food, transportation, child-support, subscriptions, personal spending, etc. If it has
a LABEL , make sure it has a LOCK !!!! CAN’T TOUCH THIS !!!!
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
WAY # 2 Give Every Dollar a NAME
SEPARATE NEEDS FROM WANTS
Tracking reveals patterns. You may discover you spend more on convience than your needs. This may not always be wrong, but it should always be acknowledged.
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
WAY # 2 Give Every Dollar a NAME
INCLUDE SMALL EXPENSES
Coffee, Apps, Snacks, and Quick Purchases. These are often the silent drain for our financial peace.
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
Verse 28 “Does not sit down...”
WAY # 3 Set Weekly & Monthly Check-In
Tracking money is not a one-time event. It is a habit. Check-ins prevent surprises and help you stay aligned before things get out of hand.
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
Pick a consistent time : Weekly, monthly, etc. Review, don’t criticize . The goal is to learn, not become guilty. Adjust as needed . Being aware gives you permission to make changes before you have to.
WAY # 3 Set Weekly & Monthly Check-In
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
Verse 28 “Whether he has enough to finish it..”
WAY # 4 Connect Spending to PURPOSE
Jesus connects counting to completion. Tracking your money is not about RESTRICTION , it’s about FINISHING what matters. When spending aligns with purpose, peace will follow.
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
What are you building? Security, freedom, generosity, or constant stress? Tracking helps answer this. Align money with values . When your spending reflects what you care about, you feel less regrets and more clarity.
WAY # 4 Connect Spending to PURPOSE
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
Use awareness to plan ahead . Tracking shows you what is possible, not just what is missing.
WAY # 4 Connect Spending to PURPOSE
4 Ways to Begin Tracking Your Money in 2026
6 Positive Outcomes of Knowing Where Your Money is Going
Your money begins to work in your FAVOR . You feel control instead of ANXIETY .
You make DECISIONS instead of REACTING to emergencies. You start UNDERSTANDING finances instead of FEARING them. You build CONFIDENCE because you know where your money is going. God is able to TRUST you with more because you MANAGE what you have.
The Benefits of Tracking Your Money and Knowing Where It is Going in 2026
Financial Awareness is Not PUNISHMENT Financial Awareness is POWER And Power Leads to PEACE 2026 is the year of better financial management for you and your family..... Join Us Next Sunday for PART 2 LIVE ON PURPOSE, NOT UNDER PRESSURE
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker