President Calvin Coolidge said, “There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means.” Hi, I’m Tom Ellsworth from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message.
I suspect we Americans will be a bit more money conscious this week since federal and state taxes are due on the 18th. Did you know Jesus had more to say about money and materialism than nearly any other subject? The New Testament contains 215 verses pertaining to faith, but over 2000 verses dealing with the use of, sharing of, and accountability of one’s money. Sixteen of Christ’s thirty-eight parables deal with financial concerns. Why so much emphasis on the monetary? Because Jesus knew that few things are more personal than our possessions.
Used properly, money is a tool that accomplishes much good, but if not controlled it quickly becomes an idol to which we bow. If we statistically remove those who pay off their credit card balance monthly, the average American household is burdened with more than 16,000 dollars in credit card debt. Don’t be enslaved by your money; stay in control, live within your means and trust God’s promise that when you put him first, he will take care of you.