Break the Bondage of Money

 

·        “Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways.  You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it” (Haggai 1:5-7).

 

o       This is what the LORD God Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways.  Look at what you’re doing.  Are you really accomplishing anything?  Are you really being smart with your money or are you spending it impulsively? [Paraphrased]

 

·        Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

 

 

Principles To Consider:

1)      GIVING is important in life because if you never give, you will never receive (not to mention, no one will ever want to be around you).

 

2)      SAVING for a longer term investment (a wise person saves his money).

1. The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work (Proverbs 21:25 25).

 

3)      SPENDING with wisdom (a foolish person spends everything he has).

                                                               i.      “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has” (Proverbs 21:20).

 

 

Different Types of Spenders:

1)      IMPULSIVE SPENDERS spend money all the time (they try to medicate any pain they feel).

 

2)      BUY EVERYTHING ON SALE SPENDERS say, “I have to buy this item because it’s on sale” (it doesn’t matter if they actually need it… they think they need it because it’s on sale).

 

3)      REVENGE SPENDERS use the checkbook as a weapon.  They say to their spouse, “If you hurt me, I’ll spend all your money!”

 

4)      SPECIAL INTEREST SPENDERS always buy the newest and most popular fishing tackle because they are fisherman.  They justify all of their spending because they use it on a product they will really enjoy.  They say, “Fishing is my hobby, so I have to buy all of the fishing tackle possible.”

 

5)      STATUS SPENDERS think they have to stay ahead of their neighbors.  They think just because Jake, next door, bought a new lawn mower, they have to buy a new lawn mower too (they think they need everything other people have).

 

Step outside of your comfort zone and do something nice for someone.  Maybe, you want to buy them a cup of coffee or call them on the phone, just to say “Hi.”  You decide what you want to do… but do something.  Giving to the needy is important.  Please determine who is in need and help their need.  They may be rich or they may be poor.  Bottom line, all people are in need of something.  Some people are in need of money, while other people are in need of love.  God does expect us to give to those who are less fortunate.