Why Waiting to Live Could Be the Worst Financial Plan
Plan for tomorrow without starving today.
The Tension Every Pastor Feels
A few years ago, I sat with a pastor who was worn out. His church was growing. His calendar was full. His financial plan was airtight. Every extra dollar went toward debt. Every decision was filtered through the lens of “someday.”
When I asked him how he and his wife were doing, he paused. He could not remember the last time the two of them had gone out for a simple date night. And when I asked about vacations, he admitted every trip they had ever taken as a family was tied to ministry: General Council, a conference, or a missions trip. “We have never actually gone away just for us,” he said.
Then he looked down and admitted quietly, “Our bills are paid. We are saving. We are giving. But I feel like we are missing life right now.”
That conversation captures the tension so many pastors feel when it comes to money. On one hand, we know discipline matters. On the other hand, what is the point of building a future if you are losing the joy of the present?
Why This Matters
Most financial advice focuses on long-term goals like retirement, college savings, or investing. Those are important. But real life is happening right now.
Your evenings and weekends are full. Emergencies come without warning. Your family often gives as much as you do. If every joy is pushed into the future, your spouse and children may feel as if they never got the best of you. And if you live under constant financial pressure with no room for joy, you may run out of energy before you ever reach those long-term goals.
Financial planning cannot only be about someday. It also has to make space for today.
The Balance Most People Miss
Good money management is not either/or. It is both/and.
Yes, pay down debt. Getting free from financial burdens brings peace.
Yes, save and invest for retirement. Preparing for the future is wise.
But also, live today. Plan for date nights. Schedule family vacations that are not connected to ministry events. Celebrate milestones. Give generously in ways that make you smile. Those moments are not a threat to your future. They are what give you the strength to keep moving forward.
The goal is not to spend recklessly. The goal is to live with balance, making steady progress toward tomorrow while still building meaningful memories today.
What People Often Overlook
Here are three blind spots I see most often:
Believing it has to be all or nothing. Many people think if they are not attacking debt with every spare dollar, they are failing. The truth is, balanced progress is still progress.
Ignoring the cost of burnout. Intensity without rest does not last. Burnout drains your energy, your relationships, and eventually your finances.
Defining legacy too narrowly. Your children will not only remember your bank account. They will remember if you were present. They will remember laughter, family trips, and the way you showed up in their lives.
A Better Way to Think About Money
So how do you hold on to long-term wisdom without losing today?
Set dual-track goals. Write down your long-term goals like retirement savings, debt elimination, and insurance coverage. Then write down your short-term goals like a vacation, a date-night fund, or a generosity project. For example, you may save $300 a month for retirement while also setting aside $50 for monthly date nights. Both matter.
Budget by values, not just numbers. A budget should reflect what matters most, not just cover the bills. If family connection is a top value, then make sure your spending reflects that priority through intentional time and dollars.
Build margin. Margin gives you breathing room. Without it, the plan will eventually collapse. With it, you can enjoy life and still move forward financially. Even setting aside a small “fun fund” can help keep you motivated to stay the course.
Redefine what success looks like. Success is not only reaching retirement with a strong balance sheet. It is also looking back and knowing you made the most of the years along the way.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is not only about preparing for the future. It is about recognizing that today is a gift. True wisdom is learning how to honor both the days ahead and the day you are living right now.
Financial planning is not about choosing between today and tomorrow. It is about holding them together. Pay down debt. Save and invest for retirement. Protect your family with insurance. But also make room for joy, for rest, and for the kind of memories your family will treasure long after the numbers fade.
It is not selfish to make space for life along the way. In fact, it may be the very thing that helps you stay faithful to the calling God has given you.
What is one small way you can make space for life this month, even while planning wisely for the future?
If this tension between today and tomorrow resonates with you, my book Legacy Together explores how couples can live with purpose and joy right now while still preparing for what lies ahead. You can find it here.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not individualized financial advice.
