Proverbs
14 reminds me of a Christian Financial Concepts budgeting class that
my wife and I took in the early days of our marriage. This course
was offered through our church and focused on creating a budget and
eliminating debt. Larry Burkett, the author, believed that debt is a
form of bondage that literally prevents us from the freedom to use
our resources to honor God. We learned together how frequently the
Bible spoke about money, and our responsibility for stewardship of
what ultimately belongs to Him anyway. I believe this is exactly
what Solomon means as he begins, “The
wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one
tears hers down“. We
quickly learned that after housing and cars, most of the variable
spending was in my wife’s hands. Prior to our marriage, her
friends had encouraged her to run up credit card debt because “Your
husband will pay for it after you get married”. While creating our
budget was a battle, once set, my beautiful bride was fully on board.
“Whoever
fears
the Lord walks uprightly“.
We had to scrimp to clean up our financial house, but it made us
even more united. We bought sturdy, dependable used cars rather than
that new Mustang, “from
the strength of an ox come abundant harvests“.
We mutually submitted to God’s authority, “Knowledge
comes easily to the discerning“.
We planned every purchase, “the
prudent is to give thought to their ways”
and we have always been able to continue to give, “goodwill
is found among the upright“.
We placed our confidence in God’s Word rather than Dotcoms. Has
your bubble burst?
They
say that most divorces cite financial problems as the main cause.
Solomon wrote, “There
is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death…
Even in laughter the heart may ache“.
I’m sure we have not done everything right, but we have been able
to avoid some rash decisions created by the stress of debt. “A
fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
A
quick-tempered person does foolish things… the prudent are crowned
with knowledge“. We
have found that we now have the freedom to respond to needs around
us. “It
is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but
blessed is the one who is kind to the needy“.
Contrary
to popular thought, studies show most millionaires in the US work
very long hours and simply spend much less than they make for a long
period of time. “All
hard work brings a profit“.
They do not spend extravagantly for others to see, “The
wealth of the wise is their crown“.
But what about those who have made mistakes, are in debt, and under
stress? Solomon tells us it is not too late. “The
fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the
snares of death“.
Please listen to these words of hope, “A
heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones“.
Do you desire peace? Maybe it is time for a change. Matthew
chapter 6 discusses the concerns and fears that we all have for food,
shelter and protection. Jesus taught not to focus exclusively on
getting rich, or wealth will become your master, “No
one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love
the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the
other“. Instead, He
said, we need to change our priority. “But
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you“.
Solomon closes with two points, “Whoever
oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever
is kind to the needy honors God“.
If financial security is your only focus, economic change can steal
your hope, “When
calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the
righteous seek refuge in God“.
This lesson is true for nations as well as individuals,
“Righteousness
exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people“.
How do we begin to get out of bondage? My coin says “In God We
Trust”.