Pr. 28:25: “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.”
The NLV translates it this way: “Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.” This verse is pretty self explanatory. What else do we really need? We are so consumed with consuming that we have trouble distinguishing wants from needs.
Do we really need shoes to match that outfit or will another pair of shoes we already own actually be fine? Do we really need a new boat or does the boat we currently own get the job done just fine? Do we really need that food we saw in the food magazine or will the food in our cabinets suffice? The truth is that in our society the lines get easily blurred. We can justify all the reasons we “need” something that we want, but at the end of the day most of us have all we need and more. Certainly the Lord provides.
If you’ve ever had a time when you actually had no food or a bill you truly couldn’t pay, then you’ve probably seen the Lord provide. When we get caught up in greed we can truly trouble our own houses and spend our money unwisely. We have to find the courage and faith to be good stewards of the money and possessions God provides us. When we do that, we will not only have all we need, but we will be grateful children and have enough to help others. God gives to us not for our own greed and gain, but to reach out, as His hands, and give to those around us with true needs.
The believers in Acts 2:45-47, “sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
When we create our budget, spend our money, or decide on purchases, let’s keep in mind the fact that there are some around us that truly have needs. “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”…He is the same God today. Let’s make our decisions about money based on the knowledge that the way we use our money can be the tool God uses for someone else’s salvation. Now that’s a good reason to pinch a penny!
Frugally,
jamie
considering the word 