May 6, 2022
Live Below Your Means
My child, live below your means. The commandment that I believe goes along with this is (Exodus 20:14) Thou shalt not commit adultery. When you commit adultery – you are living above God’s provision and plan for your life, taking matters into your own hands. It is the same way when you live above your means. When you live above your means you are shaking your fist in the face of God, and you are telling God I am not content with You and Your provision for me. There are two reasons people live above their means:
1. They are not content.
2. They don’t count the cost first.
Paul said, ‘I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Paul was saying, ‘I have learned how to be content with much and with little.’ I have learned to be content, and you can learn it too! Don’t do anything without counting the cost first. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. Who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? (Luke 14:28)
Now for some, this is going to be a bad word, it’s not a bad word but to some, it is going to be: M-A-T-H! How many of you told your math teacher – I am not going to need math when I grow up? The problem is you just can’t count. If math is your strong suit great – but you are going to have to learn math or find someone who is good at it. We are not teaching our children to be content – when you are always giving your children what they want – you are teaching them not to be content, and even have an entitlement attitude.
Don’t try to keep up with the Jones. You will frustrate yourself and there will be strife in your marriage because you are not living below your means. Live within your means and God will bless you and increase you.
