“We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

What comes to mind when you think of your network? Maybe it is easier to think of your village? Your support system?

Whatever term you use, it is important to have a group of people who support you and whom you support in return. As individuals or even a family, it is impossible to have all the knowledge and resources we need to accomplish every task. We need others to provide essential resources to help us reach our goals and hold us accountable.

Building authentic relationships gives us the opportunity to have a vast network of people to ask for help and guidance. It also opens us to the people they know, allowing our resources to multiply.

Too often these days, we feel isolated. It is hard to know our neighbors. Many of us are consumed by screens. We can look up how to do almost anything on YouTube, and with all the resources we can access online, we sometimes forget the importance of asking another person to teach us. When you learn from another person, they can customize their advice to you, as an individual. Just because a video explains how something works most of the time does not mean that it will work in your particular situation.

How Do We Build These Relationships? 

First, we have to put ourselves out there and be open to meeting new people. As an introvert, this is sometimes the hardest part for me. I feel awkward starting a conversation with another parent when I pick up my kids from school. However, those conversations lead to new friends, new resources, and new experts in my life.

God calls us to community: “It is not right for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). I propose that this verse also applies to family: It is not right for a family to be alone. Living in community helps us grow our strengths and lean on the strengths of others. How much stronger are we when we are a unit committed to helping one another than when we are a single person or group trying to do it all?

I know I feel stretched thin at times. I think it is because I am trying to do more than I am actually called to do. Feeling like I have to do it all never leaves me with time to excel in the gifts and talents God has blessed me with. It takes discernment and courage to improve and use the gifts and talents He’s given me and let go of what He is calling me to ask for help with.

How Can We Help Our Community Thrive?

As I think about successful communities I am a part of, there are a few components that seem to help them thrive.

Commitment

Having trusting relationships allows us to let go and ask for help more easily. Essential to building this trust are regular interactions to get to know one another, to hold one another accountable, and to understand one another’s goals.

Alignment

The second component of a strong community is aligned goals or values. You do not need to agree on everything (in fact, different perspectives help us grow too), but some common values will help relationships to grow more easily. They also foster trust and authenticity.

Clear Expectations

In order for community members to trust each other and help each other, everyone needs to know the expectations. What tasks is each person doing? Is money being exchanged, or is it a work-for-work agreement? Is there urgency or a deadline for the task?

Creating an Accountability Group

We can take these connections to the next level by creating accountability groups. As 2025 starts, it is natural to have new goals or resolutions. An accountability group can help us stay motivated to achieve these goals. If this is something on your heart, I encourage you to reach out to the community you already have and see if there are a few others who would meet regularly with you so you can all hold one another accountable. 

Often, our goals are related to our finances in some way. A financial accountability group is a group of people with similar financial goals who agree to meet regularly and support one another in hitting those goals. Because finances relate to most parts of your life, I would argue that this group needs to have more in common than financial goals.

How we use our money (whether we are talking about giving, spending, or saving) speaks to what is important to us. When you look at where your money is going, you can tell what you value. Having a financial accountability group with others who share your values and Catholic faith is ideal. This common ground will allow you to discuss topics like tithing, ethical investing, supporting a large family, having faith in God’s providence, and so much more, without feeling ostracized. It will also help you trust the advice of others and have a more open mind. You’ll still need to discern if the advice is right for you and your family, but there will be built-in trust and authenticity.

It is also important to be open to critique by other group members. Part of the beauty of a network is all the different experiences that others have had. Sometimes, this will mean allowing others to tell us we are wrong about something or that we need to consider something from a different angle. Because finances can be so personal, it can be difficult to separate these critiques from our emotions. With the right group, they are meant to make us stronger and help us become better people. If we take them personally, they can harm our relationships and make us feel personally attacked.

A group that meets regularly to support one another in these ways can also bring us the resources we need to hit some of these goals. Within the group, there is a good chance someone is or knows a professional you might need to consult in order to accomplish your goals. Whether it is sticking to your budget, saving a specific amount, getting out of debt, teaching your children how to be financially responsible or something else, having a group of people hold you accountable to progressing and meeting these goals will help you accomplish them sooner.

Where is God calling you in this new year? Are you allowing others to help you on your journey? Take time to discern what He wants your year to look like, and be open to letting others help. May God bring many blessings to your 2025.

Erica Mathews is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with Financial Counseling Associates, a small, family-owned, independent financial planning and investment management firm. She is passionate about helping families and individuals build their wealth so they can live out the calls God has placed on their hearts. As a wife, mom of four, and businesswoman, Erica understands the complexities of family life and helps relieve the burden of financial stress with organization, a plan, and automation so her clients hit their goals. Erica lives in Colorado with her husband and four kids. They love everything outdoors, including gardening, hiking, biking, and simply exploring nature. If you would like to reach out to Erica, her email is erica@fca-inc.com.