If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
–1 Timothy 5:8
Work, making a living, and providing for one’s immediate family and extended family is commanded by God. It is out of our Love of God that sacrificial support is given. In this love God is honored and glorified. In this love not only are we blessed but others others are blessed too.
Wisdom is needed in all giving.
If you have a family member, extended family member, or member of your congregation who is able to work but chooses not to, it is not wise to support them in this laziness. In this case, we can offer a job or help them find a job, but not give them money.
If a family member is living outside their means and is spending money foolishly without regard for tomorrow, it is not wise to support them in this foolishness. We can counsel and give advice on how to live within means, but not give them money.
If a family member is spending money to support an addiction, it is not wise to support the addiction in any form other than rehabilitation.
It is easy to see laziness and addiction support are foolish for a person to consider. Yet, I think too often the worldly view of “Needs” and what it deems as worthwhile cloud the judgments and spending habits of far too many people. We live in a time when “credit score” means I can borrow more money because I am a good risk for paying it back. I don’t know how all of this “credit score” stuff came about but it is driving people to spend borrowed money in ways that are we are not intended to live for. What drives this spending other than “you can borrow money” to buy something you cannot afford by saving for it? Instead of saving for it and then purchasing what we can afford, we are enticed to buy “Now” and pay back later. We have a good credit score. You can get a credit card or multiple cards because you have a good credit score. You can buy now and pay back later, you’re a good risk. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when something comes up that requires us to find a way to pay for a repair or medical procedure or something along those lines. However, spending because I can borrow is being driven by those who make money off of convincing you to spend now and pay back later.
The world says this is the way to live and enjoy worldly pleasures now rather than not. Search engines and pop-up adds and the easy way to purchase on-line have made spending so easy and foolish. First, they say you need it, it is easy to get it, and just point and click your way to satisfaction and it will be delivered to your door. You did not even know you wanted it but they have convinced you of not only the need but you really need to buy it to be satisfied. You are worth it after all.
How many people can come up with $500 to $1,000 per month for 5 years to buy a car but cannot discipline themselves to save the money first and then buy it? It looks a lot different when you pull $50,000 out of your bank account in one lump sum to buy a car than $500 to $1,000 per month. What kind of car would you buy if you had to pay cash? How much would you truly buy if it were not for the internet enticing, convincing, and stimulating you to buy?
What kind of example are we as “Christians” being when we, like the rest of the world, are living like this? How much help can we be to those in need when we are spending money from the future to support our whims now? How much looking will I do those in need when I strap myself to debt? How can I help family members in need when I have consumed all I make on myself? What kind of love is it that thinks of self first? What kind of love is it that limits their ability to give because of self-worthy spending? How is God honored in self-spending? How is God glorified in being indebted to others? The world sees nothing wrong with this because it is consumed with self-interest, self-worthiness, and giving no thought to honoring or glorifying God.
There is much that could be said about self-spending, budgeting, and living within means, but let us leave it at this – God expects us to be cheerful givers, provide for our families, and be generous with what He has blessed us with. When our blessings are being used only for self, how is God honored or glorified? Do we think that a new boat, new car, new home, new kitchen, new furniture, exciting vacation, latest fashion clothes, etc…. gets us closer to serving those in need or becoming more and more generous?
Take a look at how your money is being spent.
The world wants you to spend and think of self.
God wants you to give and be prepared to give with a generous heart and mind.
