Monday, January 11, 2010

Count the Cost

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 14:28-30
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The New Year brings with it a desire to start over where we have failed or to turn away from a bad habit. Most of these resolutions or goals deal with weight on our bodies. How about dealing with the weight of debt in our personal lives?
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We are all aghast at the amount of money our government leaders spend and the huge debt they are accumulating for all of us in this country. Yes, even those of us who are debt free in our personal lives. We need to be very careful in our criticism, however, and honestly evaluate if we are doing the very same thing in our personal life. As Mathew 7:3 points out: And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
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What are we teaching our children by example? Is it to live within the means that God has provided for us? Or is it, “If you want it, charge it!”? Just as we are responsible for voting for our government leaders, we are also responsible for the message we are giving to our children regarding our finances.
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I understand most of us cannot save enough to buy a house, but we can save enough for a substantial down payment before we buy. This keeps our mortgage payments within our income. Maybe a good used car will suffice as well as a brand new one with all the bells and whistles. Especially one only driven to church and back by a little old granny like me!
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If there is a will not to be greedy, God will provide a way for us to have what we need at a price we can afford. This is a blessing I experience every time I shop for something I need. There is such freedom in being debt free and that freedom is priceless!
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Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
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Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that you have taught me, and are still teaching me, that as a believer in Your word You expect my complete obedience. I thank You for the many blessings you send my way each day, even when You show me the plank in my eye. Amen.
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Challenge:
I challenge you this year to get in on God’s Economy. Obviously the economy of our government has really gone astray. Let God be the Secretary of the Treasury! There maybe some of you whose husbands do not follow God’s financial guidelines. But, there are ways you can follow and put into practice some of God’s principles with the money you have to spend. Be a smart grocery shopper, a thrifty meal planner and cook. Avoid boxed or frozen prepared meals. Ask the Lord to show you how to stretch the dollars He has given you to oversee as manager of your home. Have a happy, debt free, blessed New Year!
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Granny Witt 2010
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