God calls people of all ages and backgrounds to prepare for ministry at seminary. Some have just graduated from college and some have come from a career in business. However, all who accept a call to seminary must adjust their finances and live on limited resources. Here are a few ideas on how to make it on your budget.

Determine what is available. You may plan to fund your seminary expenses with savings, loans or with help from family. However, most people must work. As you make your plans, determine what funds are available from all sources.

Develop a spending plan. Write down your planned expenditures. Some expenses would be once or twice a year like tuition, books or fees. Other expenses come monthly like housing and utilities. Other expenses come weekly like your tithe and gasoline. Don’t forget to build in money for recreation. Also, add in money for miscellaneous expenses that always seem to come up.

Work your plan. Some people say budgets don’t work for them. If that is your situation, try the envelope method. Write checks for your large fixed expenses like tuition, housing or car payments. These expenses don’t change from month to month. But use envelopes for your variable expenses like groceries, gasoline, recreation and eating out. At the beginning of the week put cash in your envelopes for the various budget categories. Spend from the envelopes. When money for eating out for the week is gone — eat something at home. When money for gasoline is gone — walk or ride your bike. This method doesn’t restrict you. It lets you know what you can spend without getting into trouble.

Ask for God’s help. God knows your situation and your needs. He would not have called you to seminary without having some plan to provide for your needs. Pray that God will give you wisdom and discipline in your finances. Tell others of your needs and struggles. God may use your friends, family or church to meet a need or to help you find the right job while you are in school. Finally, don’t forget to thank God for meeting your needs.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6, NKJV)