What do you usually do after receiving your monthly salary?

Some would allot an amount for their monthly bills. Some would divide it into half: 50% goes to savings account, and the rest covers daily expenses. Some would invest in the stock market. Me? I religiously do my payday vice and that is…to shop.

I confess I was a shopaholic. I used to withdraw all my salary every payday and head straight to the mall to go on a shopping spree and pay my bills. Not a day goes by without paper bags hanging in my arms or until my wallet feels light.  

In spite of my addiction, I still tried to give to the church (if there’s anything left).

One Sunday at the Feast, while preparing for the love offering, I pulled out a P200 bill from my wallet. I then quietly talked to God and said, “Lord, sorry. Siguro naman di ka magagalit. Eto lang muna ang maibibigay ko. Bawi na lang ako next time.”

Two weeks later, I noticed that I’m approaching the “petsa de peligro” or the week before the next payday. I started cutting down on meals and transportation expenses. I kept a tight budget for my daily expenses so I can overcome my temporary poverty until the next payday.

Five days before the most awaited payday, I had been praying for my fish and bread to multiply. My financial plan had failed, and I'd have to live within a hundred bucks per day. Probably not bad for a high school student, but for someone who’s working and spending at least P200/day, that was going to be insanely tough.

I prayed a lot for daily survival. Indeed, God showered me with surprises during the “weeklong drought,” and I still managed to live on a P100-per-day shoestring.

On the night before payday, I checked my wallet, and guess what I found? A crisp P200 bill, which was almost the same amount as my love offering.

What did I learn? It’s not actually giving an additional amount so I can survive my “petsa de peligro” days. It’s putting God first. It’s putting my responsibility to Him first before my bills or shopping compulsion. It’s setting aside His share of my income, so He can bless me more.

Friends, regardless of how much we earn, let’s all remember to give Him back what He deserves to receive from us. Because our God is a loving and generous God. Whatever it is that you give to Him will be returned to you a hundredfold. He can’t wait to shower you with a rainstorm of blessings.

In the succeeding paydays, I gave him what is rightfully His, and guess what? Never again did I end up with ONLY P200 bill in my wallet.