Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Spending Money on Things that Don't Satisfy


We work and save up for our dream home. We buy it {with help from a bank} and fill it with stainless steel appliances, gorgeous flooring, fancy furniture and everything else that we've always desired. The new car we always wanted sits in our big garage. Our closets are spilling over with clothes. Every cupboard and closet is stuffed full. We have the latest iPhone and largest big screen TV. We've climbed to the top of the mountain: the American dream!

Most who have reached this mountain top are deep in debt. The mother and father have to both work long hours to make the payments. The children are shuffled to day care and this big, new, gorgeous home sits empty most of the day. Everyone comes home exhausted and wonders, "Is this all there is to life?'

God quietly speaks to you and says, "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance" {Isaiah 55:2}.

"Mmmmm," you think, "I thought all of these things I have worked so hard for would satisfy." And God speaks to you again saying, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" {Matthew 6:19-21}.

It's ALL going to burn, so what treasure is God speaking about and how should we live in this materialistic society? The greatest commandment is to love God and love others. Therefore, spend your time with God reading His Word and speaking Truth to others when the opportunity presents itself for He says about His Word "it shall not return unto me void" and go out and love and serve others whether you are at work or at home.

You should not go into deep debt and spend more than you earn. You should learn to save up for something you want to buy. Buy what you need. Yes, it's okay to buy what you want at times, if you can afford it, but always remember that it will NEVER satisfy you. NEVER. It's not worth the sacrifice of not being able to raise your children or having time to minister to others. Study to live simply and contently knowing that your true treasures are stored in heaven!

Comments (17)

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Amen! This is so true! Also, on the same note, kids observe and notice where their parents strive to obtain "happiness". If we are content, our children learn to be content with the things that the Lord blesses us with. Kids do not need all the entertainment that the world provides. Living simply definitely provides more quality to our lives.
4 replies · active 518 weeks ago
Lady Virtue's avatar

Lady Virtue · 518 weeks ago

"Kids do not need all the entertainment that the world provides."

Amen, and neither do adults! Great comment!
You're exactly right, Misty. Our children had very few toys and electronic toys. We wanted them outside playing a lot of the time or being creative in their play when they were inside. We watch our grandbabies often and we have no toys. It's fun to see how creative they can be!
I love this comment. So true!
" Kids do not need all the entertainment that the world provides." LOVE THIS

We have boys and they are outdoors men, but it is how they have been raised. We hunt,fish,hike,build forts etc etc. Sadly this is not the norm. We have their friends over, some 10 years of age and already have PHONES! Mine will not have their own till they have a job and buy their own. That goes for ipads etc.
And then when we need to go in a nursing home - we take our clothes and our pictures. All the stuff we worked for stays behind. I've always had more enjoyment fixing things up and paying little for them - satisfying and keeps debt away. It's all just stuff.
1 reply · active 518 weeks ago
You're right, Maria. Take a look at a dump; all stuff that people worked so hard to obtain.
Sometimes I do wonder if they sit back at all and think is this all there is to my life. Unless they read an article like this---where would they get the idea. Chances are they have the same kind of friends,keep working to get more--sometimes they need a unforgettable moment to make them stop and wonder what are they doing.
1 reply · active 518 weeks ago
I remember Tom Brady saying after winning one of his Superbowls and being on top of the world something like, "Is this all there is to life?" Those at the top financially and being famous probably realize this a lot sooner than others since they "have it all" yet are still so dissatisfied.
Yes, yes!!!! This is wonderful!!!! I couldn't agree more....but I must admit, at times, I struggle with wanting newer "this" and "that" but wouldn't trade it for what God has truly blessed me with. We don't want debt and we want to live simple, God-honoring lives. I always appreciate your posts!!! Thank-you! :)

Katy
1 reply · active 518 weeks ago
You're welcome, Katy. Yes, we must always remember that godliness with contentment is great gain!
I'm so excited that we just bought a house today, with cash! Now we have to sell our current home and pay back our savings but I CAN NOT WAIT to see what God does with the money we will be able to freely give to Him now.
1 reply · active 518 weeks ago
Congratulations, Blair! This must have taken a lot of patience, self-control and sacrifice but it was WELL worth the effort!
So much truth. Give me the simple life!
I saw this at the perfect time. Our current home is paid for and we are considering moving to a property that we would have to finance which means bigger financial commitments. It's not a fancy home, but it has lots of land that we can farm as well as hunt and fish. However my husband will have to work more hours to pay for it which means he won't be getting much hunting and fishing in. So I have been praying and studying my Bible daily trying to decide if it's the right choice.
"What is the modern super-woman supposed to be? Maybe something like this: she works, builds her own career, demands equal pay, refuses to submit to her husband, demanding equality with him in everything, has an affair or two, and a divorce or two. She exercises her independence, relies on her own resources, doesn’t want her husband or children to threaten her personal goals, has her own bank account. She hires a maid or a cleaning service, eats out at least 50 percent of the time with her family or without them, makes cold cereal and coffee, the standard breakfast for her family, quick frozen meals usual dinner fare, or she calls Domino’s Pizza, expects her husband to do his share of the housework. She is tanned, coiffured, aerobicized, into body-building shape, shops to keep up with the fashion trends, makes sure she can compete in the attention-getting contest, puts the kids in a day care center, makes sure each has a TV in his room, or a radio, or a CD player so they can be entertained. She is opinionated, demanding, wants to be heard, eager to fulfill all of her personal goals.

That is the modern woman of the ‘90s that is applauded by the culture. She can’t stay married, or for that matter happy, and her kids get into trouble, and sometimes drugs. She’s far from the woman God has called the excellent woman."

^^ This is taken from Gods pattern for wives by John McArthur which you posted about a while back. I feel we as women struggle here and it is keeping our eyes on God and not all the WORLDLY things is what we need to do. Which is exactly what this post is saying.

Always love your posts and I am constantly forwarding and sharing
I love your ministry! Not that seeking a simpler life doesn't have it's challenges, but I am fairly certain this is a better plan of action for my family. Thanks so much for pointing out those scriptures. I needed to read that today.

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