8 Habits of Wise Women Managing Money with Miriam Neff

FaithFi: Faith & Finance | Feb 28, 2025

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Show Notes

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

That teaching is true for everyone, and yet men and women have different perspectives on money. So how do wise women manage the resources God entrusts to them? Miriam Neff is here to talk about that today.

Miriam Neff is the founder of Widow Connection, the author of 11 books, a counselor, a Bible teacher, and a speaker. She supports widows through sewing and bakery projects and is the co-author of Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More with her daughter. Her radio features New Beginnings and Starting Over Financially air nationwide.

Managing money wisely is a critical skill, and for many women, the responsibility of financial stewardship comes unexpectedly. Whether due to widowhood, divorce, or simply taking on a more active role in household finances, women today oversee 51% of the wealth in the United States, a figure that continues to grow.

However, with the right mindset and practical steps, women can confidently manage those resources. Here are eight key habits that wise women adopt to steward their finances well.

1. Acknowledge That All We Have Belongs to God

The foundation of wise money management begins with recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. Whether it's a paycheck, a home, or an investment portfolio, God has entrusted our financial resources to us for stewardship.

Some may think of their 401(k) or IRA as ‘theirs,’ but biblically speaking, all of our resources—income, spending habits, even our possessions—belong to God. This means we must steward everything wisely, from the big decisions to the small ones.

2. Take Responsibility for Knowing Your Finances

Many women suddenly find themselves responsible for managing their finances after years of leaving it to a spouse or financial professional. Miriam emphasizes that understanding one's financial situation is crucial, whether through spreadsheets, budgeting apps, or simple pen and paper.

We cannot make excuses, such as “My parents never taught me this” or “My teenagers demand too much.” We are accountable to God for how we manage our resources.Taking responsibility also means seeking help. Resources like Widow Connection, Faith & Finance, and local church financial ministries provide guidance and support.

3. Create a Spending Plan Based on Income and Values

The world encourages spending beyond our means—bigger houses, new cars, and credit card debt. However, wise financial management requires a spending plan that aligns with both our income and values.

Cultural messages tell us to spend first and hope our income will catch up. Biblically, we must prioritize contentment and stewardship. A budget is a tool to help us live within our means and honor God.

A values-based spending plan includes giving to God first, meeting needs before wants, and saving wisely.

4. Recognize That Every Spending Decision Is a Spiritual Decision

Larry Burkett famously said, “Every spending decision is a spiritual decision.” Where we allocate our money reflects our priorities and our hearts.

What do you check first thing in the morning—your bank account or social media? If we want to understand our hearts, we should examine our calendars and bank statements. They reveal our true priorities.

If our spending habits don’t align with our faith, it’s time to make changes, even if they start small.

5. Eliminate Excuses and Avoid Emotional Spending

Excuses can be a major roadblock to financial wisdom. Many justify poor financial decisions with statements like:

“My spouse is a big spender.”
“My children need expensive gadgets to fit in.”
“I was feeling down, so I indulged in some ‘retail therapy.’”

Fear and emotions should not drive our financial decisions. The Bible warns about fear-based financial mistakes, as seen in the parable of the servant who buried his talent instead of investing it (Matthew 25).

Owning our financial decisions, rather than blaming circumstances or emotions, is key to stewardship.

6. Take Personal Responsibility for Financial Actions

Financial wisdom requires discipline and self-control. Some common financial missteps include:

Overindulging children to compensate for a difficult divorce or personal guilt.
Hoarding money to fill an emotional void rather than stewarding it wisely.
Making impulsive purchases out of fear rather than planning wisely.

When we take a small step toward honoring God with our finances, He steps in and provides in ways we never expected.

7. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Financial Plan

Financial plans aren’t static—they must evolve with life’s changes. With inflation, rising costs, and unexpected expenses, a budget from last year may no longer be effective.

A core principle of financial wisdom is having three to six months of emergency savings. We can’t predict when financial challenges will come, but we can prepare for them.

Adjustments may involve cutting unnecessary expenses, increasing savings, or shifting spending priorities.

8. Invest for Kingdom Purposes

The ultimate goal of financial wisdom isn’t just security—it’s Kingdom impact. Everyone's calling is different, but we should all invest in eternity. Whether it's giving to your church, supporting missionaries, or helping those in need, prioritizing God's Kingdom brings the greatest return on investment.

Accountability partners, financial mentors, and small group discussions can also help reinforce wise financial habits.

Take the Next Step in Your Financial Journey

These eight habits provide a roadmap for women navigating financial responsibilities. Whether you're newly managing money or looking to refine your financial approach, the key is to start today.

For more insights and practical steps, pick up a copy of Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More by Miriam Neff and Valerie Neff Hogan. And if you're a widow looking for financial support, check out Widow Connection for resources and encouragement.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

If I want to do a reverse mortgage, does that mean the house no longer belongs to me?
I'm 36 years old and want to know whether I should keep $1,000 in my emergency fund or save 3 to 6 months' worth of my emergency fund income.

Resources Mentioned:

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