Live Debt Free

Pay off debt. Save. Give. Live your mission.

  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Credit Scores
  • Spending
  • Investing
  • Earn Money

Proverb About Saving For a Rainy Day

08.24.2012 by Kevin Mercadante //

Proverb About Saving For A Rainy DayWhen it comes to money, as Christians we might be tempted to write it all off to that saying, “money is the root of all evil”. After all, that saying itself comes from the Bible (1 Timothy) and warns us against the obsession with money. But even within the Bible, money has it’s proper uses, and one of them is saving it.

This is not the wanton saving of money in order to build an ever larger pile for its own sake, nor is it an attempt to build treasures here on Earth. But the Bible teaches us to be ready for what ever happens, and a big part of that preparation is with savings.

What does the Bible teach about saving for a rainy day?

”Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” – Proverbs 6:-6-8

This verse is both powerful and effective in convincing us of the need to save money, but like all Bible verses there are several things happening at once.

Saving involves sacrifice

Notice the passage uses the term “sluggard?” Maybe that’s a bit of a harsh word, but then again maybe it isn’t.

Sluggard means “lazy” or “inactive”, and the verse implies that such an attitude might exist when it comes to saving money. The implication is that we may need to do something more, something beyond ordinary if we are to save—the business-as-usual attitude won’t cut it. Translation: saving money requires active participation. It’s not something carried out by sluggards!

To put that into practical perspective it means:

  • We may have to work a little bit harder in order to have money to save
  • We may have to reduce current consumption to free up money to save
  • We need to have a plan of action to save and a willingness to carry it through
  • We need to accept that life today may not be as pleasant while we prepare for an uncertain future

Saving is a natural process

The same verse that uses sluggard also recommends looking to the ant for direction. Ants, as we know, are constantly moving, constantly working, constantly storing up. It’s that storing up process—or saving in our world—that enables the ant to survive. Ants are not alone in storing either. Most animals that have the capacity to save do. Rodents do it (think “squirreling away”), as do many birds. We can even say that many mammals “save” by overeating in summer in order to build up fat storage for the winter months when food is scarce.

Saving then is a part of the natural process. In reality, certainly in the human realm, it’s very much a survival skill. Ever notice how people who have relatively little income or unstable occupations are able to survive all the uncertainty? It’s possible if you’re a devoted saver.

There’s a need to save “in season”

The passage specifically references ”stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest”, and I think this may be the most relevant part of the passage.

As human beings, we’re not nearly as dependent on the seasons as animals are, yet we have “seasons” of life, that are longer and often deeper in scope than seasonal weather shifts. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 outlines this clearly, as do so many other passages and verses throughout the Bible.

Good times turn to bad, and bad times turn to good, but the takeaway is acknowledging the changes and preparing for them. In the human world, we do this by saving money. The time to do this is “in-season”, when our incomes are strong and our obligations are low, that way when “winter” comes—when life isn’t so good—we’ll have the benefit of all that we stored up from a better season.

We can think of this as playing out over various season cycles. In the near term, the cycle might include saving money in season against the possibility of a job loss—like building up an emergency fund. Over the long-term, this would involve saving money in season (during our working years) for the “winter of life”—old age and retirement.

The Bible teaches us about such seasons and tells us to prepare for them. We can think of that as scripture telling us to save for a rainy day.

How your savings can be a blessing

Moving beyond Proverbs 6, your savings can be a blessing in so many ways.

  1. By enabling you to take care of yourself in a time of trouble you’re not being a burden to others
  2. Having savings enables you to help others who are in a difficult time
  3. When you have savings you aren’t living paycheck-to-paycheck and will find it easier to be more generous
  4. Savings are a tangible way to reduce worry—and worry is one of our biggest false idols
  5. Having extra money saved can enable and embolden you to do more mission work, knowing that you’ll be in good shape even if the mission work costs you some time, money and income
  6. It’s always easier to be a good steward of your money when you have at least a little more of it than you need

Money itself isn’t the root of all evil—it’s the love of money that is. We can have it and use as long as we see it as a tool and not as something to be worshipped. Properly used, such as when we save for a rainy day, is just such a tool as well as a blessing. At a minimum, we can save for a rainy day and know that we’re doing the right thing.

After all—that’s what the Bible teaches us.

Have you ever had any sense of a conflict between your faith and saving money?

*******

Categories // Savings, Spirituality Tags // Savings, spiritual

Doing What You Want. With Purpose

02.20.2012 by Matt Jabs //

“Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.” – Henry David Thoreau

Hiking during the week

Now that Betsy and I write books and run websites full-time we’re able to work, serve, and leisure when we want. It’s a blessing from God and a result of hard work and preparation.

One key pursuit of Debt Free Adventure is living our mission and helping you learn to live yours. This means seeking purpose while doing what we love. I’m convinced the righteous desires of our hearts – no matter how frivolous they may seem – are part of a compass, bestowed by God, to help steer our lives. One of mine is hiking, I love it.

Having recently moved to Hendersonville, NC I’m endowed with enough hiking to make me sick. I joined a local hiking club and am going on my maiden hike this morning; I’m excited. It could be pure leisure, but could also present an opportunity to serve Christ, however small. Being sensitive to these opportunities is part of my purpose.

When I was first born-again I created my own opportunities. I would slam open doors and shove God in your face whether you liked it or not. No longer. Nowadays I aim to judge myself against His word and wait for Him to open the doors.

Long story short, regardless of what I’m doing I try to follow the righteous desires of my heart (like hiking), enjoy myself, and remain sensitive to any opportunity to share the glorious grace of my Lord Jesus.

With that always in mind, the topic of today’s article is being able to do what you want; in this case, me hiking during the week.

Forgive me as I take a minute to lose myself in the details of preparing for my hike, being prepared and going over my gear is something I enjoy almost as much as the hike itself!

Being prepared on the hike

When I hiked in Michigan it was hard to get lost; I carried little more than water and a snack. That’s not the case here; Western North Carolina is home to millions of acres of mountain wilderness that can easily confuse an unprepared hiker. It deserves the respect of proper gear and a well thought out pack.

Tomorrow’s hike is a moderate 6.4 mile day hike that should take approximately 3 hours. Here is a picture and list of the contents in my pack. Am I properly prepared? You be the judge.

Starting horizontally from the top left:

  • mini binoculars
  • bowie knife and multi-function tool
  • signal mirror
  • mini survival kit with all sorts of goodies
  • reflective emergency blanket
  • bible
  • flashlight
  • compass
  • first-aid kit
  • rope
  • whistle
  • flint and steel
  • lighter
  • trail and road map of the surrounding wilderness area

I will also carry plenty of water and food, and be properly dressed in layers.

Note: My kit should include a good quality water filter, which I intend to add soon.

Doing what you love with purpose

I love to hike, but I also love to help others.

We’re blessed to be able to earn a living writing about holistic stewardship, but it took a lot of hard work to get there. For years I built this business on the side while working a full-time job I didn’t care for. Now rather than working a job I don’t like and living for the weekend, I’m doing the work I love and living every day to the fullest. Are you?

“I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” – Carl Sandburg

It’s okay if you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing, but it’s not okay if you’re not seeking. It took me the better part of 2 decades to find a road that feels right, so never stop searching.

Don’t be afraid to think – and live – outside the box, and don’t be afraid to go your own way.

Remember, if you’re always trying to fit in, you’ll never stand out.

*******

Categories // Earn Money, Spirituality Tags // dream, motivation, spiritual, Work

Gospel Hope In A Hurting World

09.17.2010 by Matt Jabs //

What follows is an email I wrote to my brother in response to his message which highlighted the hardness of this life and the tenebrous world to come.  Please read with an open mind and a heart bent toward Christ, His Word, and His message of hope in the gospel.

“If the world didn’t suck so much, we’d all fall off.”  – Unknown  🙂

There’s no doubt that, “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12.  Though many find this topic foolish, it would be most beneficial for each of us to meditate deeply on these considerations at regular intervals.

On topic, last night I watched the documentary, “America: Freedom to Fascism.”  The film chronicles the worldly view of what the bible previously prophesied regarding the coming doom of world government, united digital monetary systems, and implantable microchips; all as a system of global control and domination.  Check it out next time you have 2 hours to spare – better yet, make time for it.  The film will not serve as an agent to bring you out of depression (sorry ’bout that,) but it is well worth watching.  When viewed from a view point of biblical prophesy, you may likely be brought low with Godly repentance… in well-placed fear of God.  It is humanly amazing how world events are aligning with biblical prophesy, and how 99% of our world population seems fantastically duped… egotistically discounting the reality as a string of dismissible conspiracy theories.

Continuing on the positive note of God in control… it is required that we place our lives in His hands – as Stephen did in Acts chapters 6-7.  Stephen embodied the courage and faith of this verse, “…I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”  – Luke 12:4-5.  Spiritually, it is imperative we keep this powerful statement close at heart, striving to fully grasp its truth and depth, which cannot come to us of our own accord, but from God alone.  We cannot simply conjure Godly repentance… rather we must petition the Lord with tears of reverence and humility in hopes that he may grant us eyes to see and ears to hear.

I think it is of much value for us to consider our end as if it were to come upon us tomorrow… what would we do?  What would be the focus of our efforts in our last 24 hours?  Would we sleep?  Would we work through our budgets?  Would we go to work?  Or would we swiftly dash about our domain begging those within reach to repent and fear the God of the bible?  I have a mind to believe I would do the latter… so what holds me back from doing it today?  What is holding you back?  Undoubtedly, that is a question each of us need answer for ourselves.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”  – II Timothy 1:7-13

Praise the Lord for His patience and longsuffering that far exceed anything our human minds can begin to comprehend.  Now let us go out and serve God, according to his purpose for our lives.

Categories // Spirituality Tags // christ, fear, gospel, hope, new world order, spiritual, Spirituality

Popular Posts

  • Understanding & Improving your Cash Flow
  • Credit Card Debt Reduction Handbook
  • Our Monthly Debt Reduction and Savings Statements
  • Pay off Credit Cards VS Build Emergency Fund Savings - Me VS Suze Orman
  • Credit Cards - Close 'em Shred 'em & Forget 'em!
  • More Reasons to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
  • Wise Use of Paid off Credit Cards? You Decide.
  • The Whole Armor of Personal Finance
  • One World Currency - New World Order
  • Debt Testimonials - Encouraging Success Stories!

Disclaimer

Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

Popular Posts

  • Lending Club - My Review of Social Lending
  • Understanding & Improving your Cash Flow
  • Credit Card Debt Reduction Handbook
  • Our Monthly Debt Reduction and Savings Statements
  • Pay off Credit Cards VS Build Emergency Fund Savings - Me VS Suze Orman
  • Credit Cards - Close 'em Shred 'em & Forget 'em!
  • More Reasons to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
  • Wise Use of Paid off Credit Cards? You Decide.
  • The Whole Armor of Personal Finance
  • One World Currency - New World Order
  • Debt Testimonials - Encouraging Success Stories!

Disclaimer

Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

Copyright © 2023 · Modern Studio Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in