Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- November 16, 2012
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11).
Is there a method to your money management? Do you have a process in place to steadily save over time? If not, it is never too late to set up a system for saving. Some of us struggle with this because we bet on big returns, only to suffer loss. Steadily saving is not sexy but secure. Finances can be an elusive enemy or a friend who has our back.
Get-rich-quick schemes only feed greed. In God’s economy, it is those who diligently deposit smaller amounts in a secure place who reap rewards. It is wise wealth that makes the first ten percent of their income a gift offering in the form of a tithe to their heavenly Father and the second ten percent an investment in their future. Money obtained by vanity is spent on vanity, but money gained by hard work and honesty is retained for growth.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:1–2).
It does take discipline not to spend all our earnings in an instant. Commercials and our obligation as consumers exploit our emotions. Culture sucks us in to spend not all we have, but more than we have; so be on guard with a simple system for savings. For example, set up an automatic draft from each paycheck that goes straight into a savings account. Preserve this cash; one day your financial fruit tree will become an orchard.
Lastly, look to the Lord as your provider, seeing yourself as a steward of His stuff. The management of your Master’s money requires saving. God’s desire is growth in your financial security so you are free to give more and serve others. So we ask ourselves, “Am I frivolously spending just for today, or am I disciplined each day to deposit a dollar toward tomorrow?”
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
Prayer: Lord, how would you have me manage Your money today in preparation for tomorrow?
Related Readings: Psalm 128:2; Jeremiah 17:11; Ephesians 4:28; James 5:1–5
Post/Tweet this today: Wise stewards are disciplined to save dollars for tomorrow. #save
Pre-order sale: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, vol. II… http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Comments are closed.
This is so true.
May I ask what version of the bible do you use?
Look to The Lord as our provider First, not lastly. 🙂
Rich most of the time I refer to the NIV.
A fellow servant of Jesus,
Boyd