For many families, money is a major source of stress, fueled by social media comparison and economic pressures.
Crystal Paine, a financial expert and author, says on American Family Radio (AFR)’s “The Dr. Nurse Mama Show” that true financial health starts with a proper spiritual perspective.
“I just truly believe if the people of God can get their finances in order, we can do such amazing things for the kingdom of God, and that is really my heartbeat and my hope,” Paine says.
Paine, founder of MoneySavingMom.com, shares that she and her husband learned this firsthand while living on a tight budget during law school. Rather than feeling defeated, they learned to build character and trust God.
She encourages listeners to stop leaning on negative self-talk like “I’m not good with money” and instead focus on intentionality.
"I'm becoming a person who is learning to be more intentional with my finances. When we speak that kind of truth and that kind of life over us, it's going to change the way that we live,” Paine says.
Paine’s mother is the one who taught her how to coupon, a skill she used when grocery shopping and menu-planning for her nine-person household and later when she was married. In 2006, Paine shared bargain-shopping tips on her blog, to which she began receiving multiple questions on living on a small budget.
That grew into MoneySavingMom.com as more emails and requests came in, despite the different content she put up on saving.
Ultimately, Paine reminds believers that wealth isn’t about hoarding or chasing instant gratification, but about living with open hands and keeping a long-term focus.
“Everything we have is God’s. When we live with our hands open to just let him flow through us, there’s so much blessing that comes from that,” Paine says.
