The following is a guest post from Amy of The Finer Things in Life.
Keeping the Kingdom First. If we kept that phrase at the forefront of our minds as we go about the business of our days, what might we do differently? Say differently? Think differently? Spend differently?
When it comes to our finances, there are many ways to Keep the Kingdom First. Here are a few to get the wheels a turnin’.
1. If you don’t have it, don’t spend it. Purpose to purchase with only the money you have, not the money you plan to have someday. Live within (or below!) your means. Debt negatively affects our relationships, our marriage, our ability to make decisions. Avoid debt like the plague.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
2. Give. Each and every one of us has something to give. Some of us can give much monetarily, others have talents to share. Still others, time. It’s true: “Tis better to give than to receive.” Even when you have little, don’t be afraid to give. Your generosity will be returned.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
3. Cultivate gratitude in your home. No one wants to raise a greedy, ungrateful child (or be around one). And the children… they learn from us! Give thanks – for your home, your food, the weather… for all of God’s provisions. The more you give thanks, the more you’ll realize what you have and what you don’t need.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In what other ways can we Keep the Kingdom First with our finances?
Amy is a Tiny-Town wife and mother, convinced that The Finer Things in Life provide more lasting joy than anything money can buy.
Great verses of bible wisdom.
This is my favorite as of late:
“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” ~ Proverbs 30:8-9
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What a great post! I agree – begin giving thanks for what you have and you will realize how much you have been blessed with!
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Amy,
I would like to request your permission to send this out to my ladies bible study group.
Thank you!
Lessie
Go for it, Leslie. Thanks for asking. 🙂
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Keeping the Kingdom First =-.
I like your list. I think it was number two or three about not being afraid to give. If I may, I like to give a testimony. I was walking out my door to go to church one Sunday Morning when the man from next door came running over to meet me. He said his wife had been wanting to go to church, but he couldn’t take her and would I. I told him yes, and he pulled out 5 dollar bills for gas. I told him he didn’t have to do that, but he said he wanted to and so it went. Anyway, we went to church and even though my gas tank was sitting on empty, when they passed the offering plate around, I gave 2 dollars. I thought at least I could put 3 dollars in my tank. Well, a little while later, they passed it around again for a “love offering” for a guest preacher. Now, I fought with myself over this one. I went back and forth cause I really needed the gas, but God provides….. on and on. Well, by the time the plate got to me, I had talked myself into giving the last 3 dollars. I told myself to put my money where my mouth was. So I did. Later that afternoon, I receive a call from our local United Super Market saying that I had won a $100.00 Shopping Spree! We got enough meat to last us for over 6 months! Of course this was back in the early 80’s but God still works that way. He has blessed my finances so many times I can’t count them. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO GIVE. YOU CAN NEVER OUTGIVE GOD. He will always provide.
PJ
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Patti, Your story is truely amazing. I got chills. I have a story…I was newly laid off (1995), we had already made out the tithe check, but I kept looking at it, cuz, I didn’t want to hand it in that Sunday. I mean, what if we need it to live off of. I wasn’t making a ton, but would probably be out of work for a while. After much debate and gut wrenching….I made the decision to just go with what we had already set aside. We still had enough to live off of (we were newly married and I was 19) for 2 weeks, we would be fine, right…. Well GOD saw too it that we were. Jerome had NEVER received a Christmas bonus EVER….and he has NEVER received one since…but that year, he goes into work and finds 10 – $100 bills (cash) in an envelope on his desk. That was 6 weeks salary. God is AWESOME and we SHOULD never second guess Him. We do….but we SHOULDN’T.
Great tips, Amy! Something I am constantly struggling with is needing less. I had no problem living below my means while I was working, but we’re still adjusting now that I’m staying home with the little one. Thanks for the food for thought!
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I’m thankful for you post too. My issue is that I feel i must purchas something. If a graet deal is there, I must get it. The only problem is I may just barely have the money. I would use a different accounts just to get the deal I wanted. (basically spending money I didn’t have.) Putting coupons in perspective is a challenge for me. I just started in May of 2009. I think I’m finally getting to a place where it doesn’t consume my every thought!
This is an excellent post.
.-= Petula´s last blog ..October already? =-.
Wonderful thoughts. Finances are the hot topic right now because of the economy but your point of living below you means is timeless and should be something we strive for regardless of economic circumstances. We want to be good stewards!
Thank you for the verses. I love to read and memorize verses to help me overcome challenges!
.-= Jenn @ Beautiful Calling´s last blog ..31 Day Challenge: No Spending = Savings! =-.
THis economy is terrible and many people are having a really hard time—I don’t want to make light of that fact. But, the truth is that compared to much of the rest of the world, most of us are materially very, very rich.
.-= Andrea´s last blog .. =-.