Living Under Stress: Trying To Impress Others

The average American is now labeled as a “consumer” because of our spending habits. When was the last time you went a day without spending any money? This chapter is in no way to take away from enjoying yourself financially, if God has blessed you abundantly enjoy yourself! Although I believe God still want us to be good stewards over what we have weather in much or little. I wrote this chapter with the mindset of being in position to be a blessing to others. My wife and I make it our business to make sure we are able to give to others without any strings attached and I’m talking about beyond tithes and offerings to the church, that’s automatic. Any person who asks God for wisdom in finances should automatically be tithers in their local church. God is so fair He only want a tenth out of your obedience. You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year –Deut. 14:22 giving is truly a blessing!

Why not have enough money to be able to give to others without breaking your savings account? If your lifestyle only allows you to break even every month, why not cut back on some expenses? Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return –Luke 6:38 some people have the misconception that hoarding money will make one wealthier in our dog eat dog society. I believe this is a selfish mentality coupled with the mindset of I will take my money to the grave with me. I’ve never seen a dead man spend money or wish they had more money when they are upon their deathbed. I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned –Eccl. 2:18

I remember the people in my neighborhood used to play a game called “big bank take little bank” and during this game, (which I might add was very violent) two people will go into their own pocket to see who had the most cash in their pocket. Whoever had the most money on hand would win and therefore take the person money that had less than them. At any given moment this game could be played in our neighborhood so people came prepared, only to try and impress those who were around. I said all that to say are we living to try and impress others although it will hurt us financially? Our neighbors get a new car and we want one too but are you willing to pay the car note? Our neighbors add space to their home and we want to add space to our home too, but are you willing to pay for the materials needed to increase your home square footage? Can we ever be truly content with what we have? Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content -Eccl. 1:8

I know we like to preach and teach the prosperity message and I am a believer in the prosperity message but sometimes our true blessings can come with downgrading. Who cares what others say about you, they aren’t sleeping with you at night or paying your bills. Do what’s best for your family in order to survive. True wisdom from God that is applied to our lives will protect us from disastrous events happening in our lives. Although life is real and things will arise in our lives using wisdom can be a bridge over troubled waters. Example: Got a five bedroom house and only your spouse and you live there? What are you going to do with the extra space? If finances are tight, why not get a smaller house and save what you were spending on the five bedroom house note? Using that wisdom can possibly prevent a couple from going into foreclosure. Why not payoff your car notes and then save what you were spending on the car note to pay off debt? I once saw an interview on Warren Buffet and he pay for his cars in cash, now here he is a millionaire with no car note…

For more information on this topic listen in to Doctor of Love Show on Maintaining Your Finances