1. Get a Budget

We must know where our money is going. Most people get into trouble because they have know idea where it is going. A budget app on my phone has been very helpful and mint.com.

2. Pay off ALL debt

Most Americans live off debt. Pay off credit cards immediately. You do not need them, use an "emergency fund" instead. Pay off loans quickly and as soon as possible.

3. Live below Your Means

This means cutting down on eating out. It means not spending all your income when you receive it. It means saving 10% and giving to the Lord's Work.

4. Develop an Emergency Fund

Ramsey argues that $1000 needs to be put away for any unexpected event (medical, car accident, etc.). You can put this away in a drawer or hidden place. DO not touch unless there is an emergency.

5. Plan for 3-6 months of Income

After getting out of debt and developing an emergency fund, plan for 3-6 months of income in case of unexpected events (job loss, economy crisis, pregnancy). For a couple makeing $3000 month, this could mean $10000.

6. Trust God

Proverbs 3:3-5. Ultimately, everything we own comes from the Lord and we are simply his stewards to bless the nations by the preaching of the gospel through our lives and deeds (including financial contribution).

Immediate Goals:

1. Pay off my Wellsfargo Credit Card. Tear it in half.

2. Pay off my JCrew Credit Card ($50).

3. Pay off my school loans ($5000).

4. Pay off Helen's School Loans.

5. Pay off my Talbot Seminary Loans before completion of M.Div

6. Use Check Card and Cash Only

7. Have over $10000 in Emergency Fund

8. Give to my local church, neighboring churches, and Amazing Grace Missions Ministry.

9. Love the Lord God through all of His Blessings and thank Him no matter the circumstance (1 Thess 5:16-18).

"The Preacher's first, and the most important task is to prepare himself, not his sermon" (166)

Read a good book that warms your heart. Ignite your soul in worship.

2. Prepare through Prayer

The preacher must be a man of prayer.

"The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this-always obey such an impulse" (171)

3. Prepare through Bible-Reading

"I would say that all preachers should read through the whole Bible in its entirety at least once every year." (172)

"Do not read the Bible to find texts for sermons, read it because it is the food that God has provided for your soul, because it is the Word of God, because it is the means whereby you can get to know God." (172)

"If a verse stands out or hits you and arrests you, do not go on reading. Stop immediately, and listen to it. It is speaking to you, so listen to it and speak to it. Stop reading at once, and work on this statement that has struck you in this way." 173

4. Read and learn from Godly authors

Read Richard Sibbes, Lloyd Jones, Edwards sermons. Read theology, church history, apologetic reading.

"Read theology, as I say, but always balance it, not only with Church history but with biographies and the more devotional type of reading" 178

"That is why balanced reading is an absolute essential. If your heart is not as much engaged as your head in these matters, your theology is defective-apart from anything else" 179

5. Know Yourself

"Get to know yourself. You will find that there will be periods, perhaps of days, even weeks, when for some amazing reason your mind is working at its very best, and you are in a fecund condition finding ideas for sermons everywhere-'Tounges in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.' 184