Get Serious

My 7 year old son gets excited when he gets money. Before it is placed in his hands, this little guy has a plan for how he is going to spend it. My 9 year old daughter, on the other hand, has a plan to budget to save, spend and make more money. I am always amazed at the outcome because even when she spends she is looking for a deal while my son is looking for exactly what he wants, disregarding the price.

As a result she always has money and he is always trying to do more things around the house to make money but not to make or save money yet to spend it. My husband refers to this as “Saving to Spend.”

While seeking wisdom about finances I am reminded of the text, “Prepare your work outside and make it fit for thyself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house,” Proverbs 24:27.

In this text it cautions the leaders of the house to do three things to manage the household affairs. First it tells us to “prepare your work.” To prepare is to establish. We are advised to get settled and accomplished in our occupation first.

As leaders in the house we must desire necessaries before conveniences. If our budget says we can afford a ranch for our dwelling place we have to be content, rather than lust or go in debt for the three story house.

This is interesting because we see this exampled when God created Adam. Before he was given Eve and the children, he had a job and became established in his business affairs, Gen 2:18-25.

The second caution in this text is it says “make it fit for thyself in the field.” To make is to prepare, get it ready so that it can grow, develop in the field. In other words, prepare your finances so that they work for you and you are not working for it.

Building first, what we cannot afford is not wise. However, if we “first apply thyself to thy work” it will be wise. Many have gone in bankrupt and lost families by starting financial escapades they cannot finish. Families have been erupted by ditching out money that does not bring anything in.

This next caution is vital because it is one that many too often commit to executing out of sequence. It states, “afterwards, then, build your house.” The key word in this step is afterwards, this implies, the next step after you are set up, not before, but after you are established, then build your house.

To build your house is to establish a home containing a family. Solomon was successful in building the house of God because all was ready. His father initiated the development and Solomon was able to then build,(1 Kings 6:7).

My son is not ready to build a house. As I pray for his wife to be great at planning, I also pray for him to be wise in being content and not hasty to spend. God willing he will be attentive as he develops to a man. Many of the leaders within our world fall in managing the household because we lack knowing what the Word says about sustaining the management of the house.

Maybe you are managing fine and you feel you don’t need a budget. Perhaps you think well the money is flowing, so I don’t have to save. However, we never know when the tables will turn. As wise children of God we must want our necessities before our conveniences, and not go in debt.

Consider not rushing out to buy your self or children the $100 dress or suit at Macy’s for Easter, yet mull over shopping for less. Don’t leap to the stores to buy hasty because it is a special event. Pray to God to forgive you for spending thoughtlessly. Seek the Lord for wisdom before you go shopping and ask Him to help you get established to build. Let us strive to keep our manners, our lifestyle free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what we have, (Hebrews 13:5).