Debt stresses me out. I don't like to be in debt. (Car note and mortgage, even though they are also debt, don't stress me out. EXTRA debt stresses me out.) And here at Christmas it gets even harder.
The thing is, we have what we need. There are 6 days until payday and we still have meals we can make from last week's grocery trip. I don't even have to go on a big trip this week! That's amazing. So I'm making a list of what we really have to have.
It's just that I see what's waiting in the wings for us, and I fear for what might happen. What if someone needed dental work? What if the car or van broke down? Any one thing could cause us to be in a bad situation because we have so much going OUT right now and not enough padding for me to be comfortable.
But do I need to be comfortable? Do I need the assurance of a large bank account? Do I need "financial security"? Let's see what scripture has to say about it.
- We are told not to store up earthly treasure, but heavenly treasure. (Matt. 6:19-21)
- We are told not to store up riches, but rather good works. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
- We are told to store up as we have prospered, to help the church. (1 Cor. 16:2)
- We are told not to worry about what we will eat or wear. (Matt. 6:25-34)
There. A little eternal perspective does wonders. I will try to be a good steward of what we have been given. I will try to be frugal with my husband's paycheck.
But I will not worry.
I will trust in the Lord, Who is our Provider. And is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20)
Have a good weekend!
Totally know what you mean! We're jobless right now (DH was laid off 2 months ago) and have no insurance, and knowing that any injury or pregnancy would kill our already overstressed finances is... stressful! I too am trying to rest in God's provision.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog as always, though I don't usually have time to comment!
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ReplyDeletewell I am with you except i guess I feel I sometimes miss the boat on the "what is a good steward" thing. If we were better stewards wouldnt there be more padding! :0) does that mean cutting out cable? The Bible talks about hoarding money but down from it there is the story about sqaundering it too.. I guess it falls to the old adage everything in moderation.. saving for a distinct purpose is not hoarding... spending a modest amount of money on "good" things is not squandering!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish God would write a BIBLE 2.0 and just as He made many scriptures relevant to the "people and actions" of the biblcal days that He could do the same for us! I know it is all relevant to us but do you know what I mean????