1 Timothy 6:6-9
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One of my former Sunday-school students posted on Facebook this morning that she and her husband are four major bills away from being totally debt-free. She just paid off another credit card balance, and all of her medical bills have been paid. This mother of 2 toddlers is using Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” course as her guide, but many have accomplished this successfully with other methods, as well. What makes this achievement so important is that this young couple – and others like them – are putting money in its place! They are managing money instead of money managing them!
I am only remotely familiar with Dave Ramsey’s course. I do know several people who have utilized it successfully to become totally debt-free very early in life…and I commend them for it. Countless folks suffer all kinds of stress on a daily basis because of bills and upcoming payments that loom over them. Let’s be honest, it is inevitable that such strain keeps us from giving our full focus and attention to our family, our studies or our job, and our walk with God.
This passage is about more than paying off your bills and living debt-free. The Apostle Paul is reminding us that everything we have comes from God. Our focus should not be on acquiring more “stuff”…we should be concentrating on using what we have to serve God. There are two points to consider: 1) it’s hard to stay focused on serving when we are mired in bills and debt; and 2) many of us are busy acquiring more “things”, when we cannot adequately manage what we already have.
What does all of this have to do with showing compassion for one another? Here’s the thing…knowing that we are all human – and vulnerable to the devil’s temptations – we can assume that most of us are enticed on some level by “the next new thing”. It may be the latest electronic gadget, a shiny new toy for our kids, the spring fashions now filling the store, another pair of sneakers, or a new house, car or piece of jewelry. We may desire to “keep up with the Joneses” and eat out…go to movies, concerts and sporting events…dress a certain way…participate in extra-curricular activities at school and church…and even go on mission trips with friends and fellow believers (which costs money).
As we interact with others, recognize that their inner struggles with money may be very similar to yours. Also realize that those who cannot afford to “keep up” with others may be struggling with their emotions and temptations. What can you do to “level the playing field”? How can you find ways to interact – and serve others – that are less costly in terms of actual dollars…yet effective in terms of time, energy, and sharing the love of Christ? By learning to be content with less…to live within our own means…can we actually demonstrate to others that it is truly acceptable and okay to be “wealthy” in ways other than actual money and possessions?
My challenge to you today is to get your own “house” in order. This may mean working to conquer your debts and pay your bills as quickly as possible. Or if you are “debt-free”, you may need to do a little “spring cleaning” and survey your “stuff”. Maybe you need to pare down…to “share the wealth” with those less fortunate…or to use what you have before you buy something else. Or maybe you simply need to shift your focus from “What can I acquire next” to “How can I better serve out of my blessings and abundance?”.
Spend some time in prayer and communication with God and see where He leads you. The Apostle Paul is telling us in these verses that there is great peace and satisfaction in being able to truly say, “I have everything I need”…and to live in the contentment of focusing on God instead of things. There is room for all of us to do some work in this area. Will this be the day that you get started?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label managing money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label managing money. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 19, 2011
Proverbs 22:1-2
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.
At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.
I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.
Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!
My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.
My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.
Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?
©2011 Debbie Robus
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.
At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.
I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.
Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!
My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.
My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.
Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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