Smart Buying

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

1 Timothy 6:6

IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING, there are many services today offering deep discounts to restaurants we like, services we want, and trips we want to take. These services can be a great way to save money, but we need to make sure we’re using them wisely. We can tell ourselves that we’re only buying coupons to places we would go anyway, but it can be easy to overestimate just how often we would normally go to those businesses and how much we would spend while we’re there. If we’re not careful, we may end up spending more than we would otherwise and may have to adjust our plans to use a coupon before it expires. All the while, we think we’re being smart and saving all kinds of money as we take advantage of the great deals that keep coming and coming and coming.

Keep in mind that businesses offer great sales in order to make money, not to do consumers any favors. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we need to make sure that we’re being good stewards of our finances and making wise purchases. So before you automatically take advantage of the next great deal, stop and think and pray. Ask yourself if you really need what’s being offered. Ask God to give you wisdom. Then make the best decision you can.

BOTTOM LINE

Beware of the ways that coupons and special offers may be feeding your desire for more. Ask God for the wisdom to know what’s a wise purchase for you.

Moment of Strength: John 6:32-35