As God-appointed managers, we acknowledge that our money (and the skills God gave us to earn money) is the Lord’s, and our first question is, Lord, how can I use this in a way that pleases You? If we ask that question often enough, we may change some of our spending habits, and we might devote more of our resources to the things that matter most to God.

When I discipline myself to eat properly, live morally, exercise regularly, grow mentally and spiritually, and not put any drugs or alcohol in my body, I have given myself the freedom to be at my best, perform at my best, and reap all the rewards that go along with it.

GROUNDED. UNFLAPPABLE. Got it together. A few people among us seem to have learned the secret of life. When others around them are losing their cool, these people remain calm, think clearly, and make good choices. No, they aren’t supermen and superwomen, and no, they aren’t on drugs. They’ve learned to tap into God’s wisdom.

God has made Himself abundantly clear, but like Eve in the Garden, we question His motives, His authority, and His purposes. Satan came to Eve and asked, “Did God really say not to eat of that tree?” (see Genesis 3:1). The correct answer, of course, was, “Yes, but He gave us all the rest of these, and that’s plenty!” But the subtle questioning of God’s authority and goodness was enough to drive a wedge into Eve’s heart. Doubt grew, and she walked away from God.