 I. Introduction A. Stewardship
B. Purpose of stewardship. (Matthew 7:11)
II. Budgeting A. Definition-A plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures. (Lk 14:38-30 & 16:12) B. Purpose
C. Problems
D. Pre-budget preparation
E. Preparation
Is it necessary?  There is more to life than keeping up with the Joneses. Most of us do not realize this until something dramatically threatening comes into our lives. First of all, what is important to you? I started really thinking about this several years back, and when it comes right down to it, PEOPLE are the only non-temporal we can "invest" in. Our family, our friends, even strangers we are accountable to God for our interaction with! "BUT THAT'S WHY I NEED MONEY!!!!" Oh, I can hear you saying that because I've heard myself say it *_* But really, would you rather a neighbor give you a gift certificate or cash, or would you rather they offer to share their cookout yummies with you? THUS sharing their TIME with you?? Okay, bring it closer to home. Would your children rather have a $100 gift certificate to WORLD'S FINEST TOYZ, or would they rather have Mommy and Daddy home with them when they're home...reading, playing games, fellowshipping? Ut oh. Yes, I know if we're trying to "keep up with the Joneses" we NEED our new whammadine, showroom-scented vehicle every year or two. We NEED the latest, greatest wardrobe. We NEED.... But do we really? Evaluate...prioritize. What is REALLY important? Do you NEED a beeper? Do you NEED 2 cell phones? Do you NEED cable tv? Do you NEED 2 brand new vehicles? Maybe if only one of you had a paying job, we wouldn't need all of the technology to find eachother during the day *_* Just a thought! I remember Daniel & I talking about whether or not I should be a stay-at-home Mommy. That decision was QUICK! But what about the financial considerations? Well, if I stayed home and raised our child or children, I wouldn't need to have a business woman's wardrobe (including nylons, shoes, jewelry, hairstyle, nails...). I wouldn't need to buy my lunch every working day. I would have time to cook meals for my family, saving on eat-out costs. I wouldn't need to worry about transportation costs to and from work. But the biggie was, I wouldn't need to pay for CHILD CARE!!!! Hello? How much is child care a week? And really, do you want someone else teaching your children their values?? Not me. I don't even allow a "tv babysitter" to teach our children. My 3 year old was saying "Darn it" yesterday. She didn't learn it from Mommy & Daddy! Nope. She learned it from a very popular kids educational program!!!!! One of the FEW, I might add, that we still let them watch since so many of them were teaching things we did not agree with. Then of course there is the NECESSITY of beepers and cell phones to consider, and doubtless a LOT more that I just can't think of since I've been out of that "circuit" for a while. But I would have to make $50,000 a year to pay for all this junk...and to pay for someone else to raise my children. NO. Not gonna happen! Now, when my children are both school age, if there is a good Christian school within a reasonable driving distance, I will allow myself to consider having a paying job again. Right now, I have one in school and one at home, and I'm working as a web-page editor and graphics designer! I'm doing what I LOVE, but honestly, I would NEVER have known I could make money working at home doing this were it not for actually making the sacrifice. A verse that has been branded into my memory is I Corinthians 10:31 -- Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. That is my focus...in what I eat (ask me about that some time *_*), what I drink, and what I do...and DON'T DO. No, I do not have a Lexxus. No, I do not have the latest styles in clothing. No, I do not have my nails "filled" *_* But just now when my 3 year old woke up from her nap, she came to me and said she wanted to be held. And you know what? I was here for her.... I would challenge you to sit down and prioritize your bills...your LIFE. What is important? When all is said and done, and your experiencing a 20/20 hindsight, don't have regrets that you can do something about right now. Spend more time doing for others, for the Lord's glory. Back to the other Devotionals |
