Facing the Giant of Money 2
FIVE benefits of managing your money with wisdom.
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold. .they will be life to your soul Prov 3:13-14; 21-22
A. GENEROSITY - You are generous with what God gives you and do not withhold good
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. Prov 11:24-25
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Prov 3:27
CARE FOR THOSE AROUND YOU -- During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
B. EXPECTATIONS - You don't expect finances to bring you happiness.
A minister was speaking about all the things money can't buy. "Money can't buy happiness, it can't buy laughter and money can't buy love" he told the congregation.
Driving his point home he said, "What would you do if I offered you $1,000 not to love your mother and father?" A hush fell over the congregation. Finally a small voice near the front, raised an important question, "How much would you give me not to love my big sister?"
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Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, an attractive young woman said, "I want to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?" "Only one kiss per yard," replied the smirking male clerk.
Not to be taken back by the harassment, the woman said, "That's fine! I'll take ten yards." With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk hurriedly measured out and wrapped the cloth, then held it out teasingly, leaning forward to receive his "payment."
The woman snapped up the package and pointed to a little old man standing beside her. "Grandpa will pay the bill," she smiled.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. Prov 11:28, 30
"Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching."
Having a super day in a large part depends upon the attitude of your heart.
C. SATISFACTION - You seek to be happy with what you already have
A typical market in the United States in 1976 stocked 9,000 items; today that same market carries 30,000 different items. And why is that? Because we have an obsessive compulsion to possess more and more things, thinking they will bring satisfaction in our lives.
Prov 15: 13, 15-17, 30; 17:1
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it. V16
A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. V13
All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. V15
Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred. V17
Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones. V30
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife. V1
Too many times we want immediate satisfaction and miss the long term satisfaction our Heavenly Father has in mind for us!
There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.
He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.
The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn't work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveller." The man refilled the jug and added to the note: " Please prime the pump, believe me it works"!
We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don't believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything.
Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, "Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works"!
D. ACCOMPLISHMENT - You are careful about pursuing things that don't waste your time and effort
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. Prov 12:11
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
E. STABILITY - You commit your works to the Lord
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established. Prov 16:3
"It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
"I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (Jn 3:16 & 3:34)
"I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Cor 12:9 & Ps 91:15)
"I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Prv 3:5-6)
"I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Phil 4:13)
"I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Cor 9:8)
"It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Rom 8:28)
"I can't forgive myself" God says: I Forgive you (I Jn 1:9; Rom 8:1)
"I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Phil 4:19)
"I'm afraid" God says: Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God" (Jn 14:1)
"I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Pet 5:7)
"I don't have enough faith" God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Rom 12:3)
"I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Cor 1:30)
"I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5)
