Prov1:20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. NLT
Reading through the bible, I have seen that the lessons in it are applicable to all areas of our lives, finance inclusive. Jesus talked about "counting the cost". In finance, they call it planning and budgeting. He said, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?", Luke 14:28. We can infer that Jesus was an advocate of proper planning and budgeting in financial matters.
One of the things you need do to shape your finances this year is to plan and budget properly for your income and expenses. He that fails to plan has planned fail. Avoid buying on impulse no matter how good it seems. Sometimes, one of the reasons for lack isn't lack of good income but improper planning and lack of discipline on spending. One of the ways to know a man that lacks financial discipline is impulsive buying. Marketers are trained to compel you to buy what you don't need. They can create an artificial hunger or thirst in you for their products only for you to realize later that you've wasted your money.
Further, the trap of buy now pay later puts people under financial slavery. Avoid it. Some salary earners buy clothes, shoes and other items on credit. When salary is paid, the sales representative is on ground to collect his/her share. In some cases, nothing is left to cater for the family. "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender", Prov 22:7. Do not enter into a financial commitment that is beyond your financial capacity. Live in a house you can afford, put your children in a school you can afford, buy the car you can maintain and wear what you can afford. Trying to keep up with the Joneses makes one to be broke. Be wise.
Father, I receive the grace to be wise in my finances in Jesus name.