A PENNY SAVED
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.” Proverbs 21:20, NIV
Theme: Save: Make a plan for a rainy day. Don’t live on every penny you earn.
EVERY PENNY SPENT
In the early days of our marriage, Mike and I were university students, living on a $6000 student loan and two small work/study jobs. We literally walked a mile (uphill both ways) to campus every day. We had a vehicle and saved our gas for trips to the grocery store, church, or into town. We split a pound of hamburger into fourths, using only a quarter pound per meal to season spaghetti, chili, or such. We went to movies or McDonald’s only when we received an extra $10 for a birthday or other gift. Every penny mattered, but every penny was also spent. We were frugal, but not savers.
EVERY PENNY EARNED
As we progressed in our careers and our incomes grew, so did our expenses. We had children. We had jobs which were no longer within walking distance—and we had to also drop off the children at daycare. We tithed, but that was the extent of our “budgeting.” Every paycheck was spent and the last few days before the next payday were really spent counting out pennies and other change to buy a bit more gas. Every hiccup in our expenses became a crisis. I spent many nights finagling what to pay and when.
GOD’S WORD
If you look in Proverbs, you find many verses that say, “Save,” such as our verse of the day. You’ll also find verses that tell the rich not to trust in their money (Proverbs 11:28), both in Proverbs and in James. I look at the Israelites in the desert. God provided daily manna, enough for one day, and chastised them when they tried to collect and store more. The day before the Sabbath, however, God provided two days' worth, and they were to collect and save it.
So, which is it?
MARGIN
As I have matured, and frankly, as I face retirement and a different income, I have learned that saving is a necessary thing. It’s not only important for the rest of the years of my life, but it is important now, for my daily walk. Not living to the edge of my income means I am open, available, and with the resources to drop my “nets” just as the disciples did, and follow Jesus, wherever He is calling. Not spending every penny means I can live within my means, with much gratitude to God for His provision and without worry and a (rather sinful) distrust that He may not provide. It means we give our tithe cheerfully, not begrudgingly, because we know not only that God uses it, but how we are blessed for giving it.
Make It Personal: When God called us to start dreaming of The Cove Church, the first thing He asked us to do was streamline our finances. We got rid of new cars; we downsized our activity and entertainment budget; we sold all the fun stuff we had been accumulating. In fact, when Mike sold his new truck for an older work truck, I saw it as a shift in priorities and purpose. Our mission was seeking God, not doing our own thing. And our finances and worldly possessions reflected that. Take a look at your checkbook and your accumulated stuff. Are you living at the edge of your means, or are you saving and streamlining in preparation for the next great adventure God has for you?
Pray: Dear Father, I am willing to spend less on myself to invest my resources for You. I am willing to save, not because I am afraid You won't’ provide, but out of gratitude. I have more than enough to be content. I want to live in that place of contentment so that You can use me in whatever way You desire: to go, to give, to care for, and to proclaim Your Name. Help me to not trust in or consider it “my” savings, but to thank You for the margin and the resources You have asked me to steward. Give me wisdom as I use them for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:10; Proverbs 21:5, 30:24-25; 1 Timothy 5:8; Matthew 4:18-20
Weekly Memory Verse: "Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce." Proverbs 3:9, ESV