Trying to stay on a budget without a foundation of good character is like trying to stick to a weight loss plan without addressing the inner reasons why I’m fat to begin with.  I’ll end up sitting on the sofa in 3 days with an open bag of Doritos.

When I’ve been out of control with money, it’s because something was off in my character.

This list of character qualities was one of those things that came to me while I was sitting in church thinking about my kids.

These are the things I want them to catch along the way while they are under my roof, so it will just be part of them wen they are grown and supporting themselves.

1.  Stewardship:  When I think of my money and things I own as God’s instead of my own, it changes everything.

2.  Patience:  When I’ve committed to never borrowing money, the right time is when I have the money to pay for it.

3. Generosity: We reap what we sow.  If we sow generosity, we will reap abundance.  Since my money is God’s I’m careful that who or what  I give to is something He would want me to give to.

4. Honesty: Means telling the truth even if I’m telling someone the item I’m selling isn’t perfect, or if I wouldn’t personally buy it.

5.  Servant Heart: Serving for the sake of serving, not for what I will get out of it.  Choosing a job where my income is tied to how many people I can help.

6. Depth: Not judging a person by their income or quality of clothing, but knowing their true value comes from being created in the image of God. Similarly not thinking an item is higher quality just because it’s higher priced, or that a gift was not given with as much love, just because it cost less.

7. Gratefulness: When I appreciate what I already have, I’m not looking for the next thing to buy to bring me happiness.

8.  Contentment: This is the opposite of entitlement.  It’s knowing that I deserve nothing, and whatever I receive is more than I deserved.

What do you think?  What would you add to the list?