Thanks to Tim Challies, I came across this humorous look at a little something that plagues our society. Sadly, it even has gained a stronghold in our churches and among those who really are trying their best to obey Romans 12:2. So, what can we do about it? I think it’s beneficial for us to spend some time over the coming days trying to help each other along on the path to God-honoring economics. Here are some extremely simple starting points, some of which I’ve learned the hard way:
1. We are stewards of all that God has given us. (1 Corinthians 4:2) I think it really begins with a realization that all that we have has been given to us and has not merely come by our own hands. Imagine a great king or leader asking you to care for something of great value to him and in fact to use it for the purposes that he has in mind. That is your paycheck. The more we assume it is something we deserve, the quicker we can fall into our own selfish and, let’s be honest about it, sinful thinking.
2. A little order please (Proverbs 21:5) OK, it’s time for the b-word. That’s right, a budget is your friend. Especially when it really is a budget and not just a listing of where your money has gone or is going. Think ahead. What do I need to do with the money that is entrusted to my family and I? If the answer is ‘spend hundreds of dollars each month on eating out, stopping for a little something at the coffee shop, and buying stuff that I may potentially need/want at some point in time’, then more power to you. Make it happen. It shouldn’t be hard. But putting on paper what you have prayerfully thought through as right and honoring, and then sticking to it, will give you a weapon that can be used over and over again in the vicious war for not only the dollars, but your heart as well.
3. Little IS more (Luke 12:13-21) I can testify mightily to this truth. YOU DON’T NEED THAT MUCH STUFF! You can get by with much less. Trust me. This very evening, I went through some of what I would consider my ‘prized possessions’ and noted a few more of them for our yard sale for this coming weekend. You CAN get by with less. You CAN live in a smaller place. You CAN say ‘no’ to that tempting thing-a-ma-bob that everybody else seems to have. You CAN alter the very focus of what it is you desire. No, by yourself you can’t. But God can change our sinful and selfish hearts. Be willing to ask Him to do it. And then ask for the strength of obedience.
Well, this list is embarrassingly short and simple. It truly is only a start. As the days unfold, let’s see if we can’t make progress in this area. I’d love to hear how that is happening in your life.
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