A Wise Investment

A Wise Investment

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

Here’s an interesting challenge: What if before we made a purchase, we asked God, “Should I buy this?” After all, bad financial decisions often start with making an impulsive purchase or giving in to the latest fad. We will also make wiser choices if we understand that fashion changes quickly and what is “in” today may look outdated tomorrow. (If you don’t believe me, just ask your Aunt Jean about the avocado green and bright orange shag carpet she displayed throughout her house in the mid-1970s.)

It may take a while to learn to resist the compulsion to spend, especially if we don’t accept the truth of Colossians 2:10: We are “complete” because of our union with Christ. While this Scripture verse is talking about spiritual completeness or fullness, we can readily apply it to material completeness, too. If we are aware of all we already have in Christ, we won’t be as prone to strive to fill our lives and hearts with more things. And that’s really what compulsive spending is trying to do—fill an emotional hole in the heart. One way to test whether you’re trying to fill such an invisible hole is to think of the times you’ve gone shopping and returned home empty-handed. Did you feel a little empty inside, too? If so, you may be trying to meet an emotional need that will never be satisfied with just things. The story is told of a reporter who asked the richest man in the world how much money would be enough. “Just a little more,” was the sad reply.

So if having more money than anyone else isn’t enough if our hearts are empty, shouldn’t we try to be content with what we do have? Our real security comes from the Lord, not from even the wisest of earthly investments. And if we do manage to accumulate great wealth, we are still only temporary stewards of God’s property. —SANDRA

Lord, although breathing a prayer to ask whether I should buy something sounds a little goofy, I’ll try it if that will help me to break impulsive buying habits. When I’m facing the temptation to buy, though, I need you to help me to remember to slow down long enough to ask.

We belong to a Redeemer God, and it is never too late for Him to redeem any part of our lives. —EUGENIA PRICE (1916–1996), AMERICAN AUTHOR