A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned

Ill-gotten gain has no lasting value,but right living can save your life.

Proverbs 10:2

The economic crises of recent years left our entire nation reeling. What happened? How could such a rich and prosperous nation as ours be bankrupt? Then we looked at the rich and long-standing companies. How could they be bankrupt? Then we looked at people, really, really rich and powerful people. How could they go bankrupt? Something went wrong. Why? Because something wasn’t right.

In Luke 12:15 Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (NIV).

So, ladies, children of God, we need to go back to the basics. Our proverb today says, “Right living can save your life.” Financially we don’t need a bailout. We need to straighten out.

Here are some suggestions:

• Did you know that if you packed your lunch every day, in one year you could save $2500?
• My friend told me that ladies at her church brought together their good, used clothes and they had a swap day; lots of fun and lots of money saved.
• Look at the flyers at the grocery store and shop specials only. Plan your menus for the week according to only what is on sale.
• Instead of going out to lunch with friends, I often make a good soup or salad, and we have lunch at my house.

As Ben Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

God is very interested in our being good stewards of our resources, and the Bible has more sound financial advice than any book ever written. Debt is a bondage and burden. It is time to break the grip by getting serious and proactive. You can make it a game. Enlist your kids. Keep a notebook to keep record of your savings. Instead of stopping at the coffee shop, make your own coffee and put it in a to-go cup. Then calculate the amount saved over a month and apply it directly to a specific bill. One taste of victory will motivate you to look for other places to save.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 4:1–5:19; Mark 2:13–3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2