Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Last May, WomenBiz Director Alpha Allanigui invited me to speak to the Super Moms group on money and finance, a topic I'd like to share here.

Money deeply affects our emotions. We feel happy when we have it and worried when we don't. Yet, money itself is actually powerless and neutral. It only does what its holder directs it to do.

God is the ultimate owner of everything, including our lives, resources, and possessions. We are not owners but rather stewards, entrusted to manage these resources with wisdom and integrity.

How can we achieve financial confidence?

A common pitfall is attempting to “keep up with the Santos’s.” We must resist this urge. Evaluate your lifestyle. Are your purchases driven by wants rather than needs? Before any purchase, ask yourself if you truly need it. Avoid impulse buying. Remember, when you buy something costing ₱1,000 on sale for 30% off, you haven't saved ₱300; you've spent ₱700. Spend wisely. I highly recommend reading “The Millionaire Next Door”; it illustrates how truly wealthy individuals live simply and don’t flaunt their money. As the saying goes, “Acting rich is how you go broke; acting broke is how you become rich.”

* Provide a weekly allowance rather than a daily one to teach them money management.

* Open a bank account for them so they can watch their money grow.

* Consider matching their savings!

* Talk openly about money.

Save Consistently, Like a Habit and a Lifestyle. Have a clear goal. Just because you can afford something doesn't mean you should buy it.

Still feel like you don't have enough? Do you truly know how much money you earn? What's your spending pattern? Do you keep records?

* Income Statement: Track your revenue (how much you made) and expenses (how much you spent); the difference is your income.

* Cash Flow: Monitor what cash comes in versus what goes out. Your salary may arrive monthly, but expenses are daily. What cash came in? How was it spent? How much of your income is regular versus non-recurring? What about expenses—how much is fixed and how much is variable? Crucially, what comes in should always be greater than what goes out; otherwise, that’s deficit spending, which you must guard against.

* Balance Sheet: Assets are what you own (cash, house and lot, etc.), and liabilities are what you owe (credit card debt, loans, etc.). The difference is your net worth. It's vital that your assets exceed your liabilities, or your net worth becomes negative.

Our greatest weapon is our mind; train it to see opportunities, not obstacles. Examine your personal assets and liabilities, your unique qualities. Are you a self-starter or a procrastinator? Are you personable with an excellent network, or are you aloof? What is your passion? Your strengths? Know your God-given talents and use your gifts well. Tutoring, gardening, baking, cooking, crafts—these are all potential income streams to add to your current sources.

God is the creator of all wealth, a God of ideas. He knows where the gold is. Let's allow Him to show us! Dream big—it's free. Set a timeline and action steps to make your dreams a reality. In life, we will encounter setbacks and failures; use these as learning experiences and start again.

Investing means putting money to use in something that offers profitable returns, accepting some risk with the prospect of earning more. This is distinct from gambling or speculation, as the safety of the principal is paramount. You can put your money in a bank, invest in bonds, shares of stocks, real estate, and so on. You must understand your risk profile: higher returns often mean higher risk. Find a balance that aligns your financial goals with your risk tolerance. Learn the beauty of compounding interest (where you earn interest on top of interest earned from prior periods) and let it work for you. It's not so much what you have, but what you do with what you have, that truly counts.

To give is to share our blessings and acknowledge that God will provide. The act of giving invites God’s supernatural intervention into our lives and finances—that kind of power is too awesome to miss. However, guard against giving indiscriminately. Always pray for discernment.

Live within your means. Spend wisely. Save regularly. Invest carefully. And GIVE, for we cannot outgive God. He owns everything and is in control. Philippians 4:19 reminds us: “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Finally, money isn’t everything. Health is wealth. True wealth lies in peace, joy, contentment, and strong family relationships. Count your blessings, and in everything, give thanks.