I have been running it for a little while now, but nowhere near as long as some older folks. I wake up in the morning, do a few chores, have lunch somewhere, then I volunteer at my church usually. I have a good group of friends, and I enjoy my volunteering and the other personal work I do. There is something different about me though. Even when I look at where I was a couple years ago.
I really did have a money goal. It was big, and obvious, and it weighed on me. I put it ahead of some other important things, like health and happiness, mainly because I had the goal my whole adult life I guess. It was not until I went about one year without a job, that I decided the money goal was not only somewhat unrealistic, but if I followed that particular path, it would not be tremendously enjoyable. Seems like people with really large pockets do a whole lot of changing, sometimes negative, and often can't even tell that it has happened.
My dad is a successful guy. He has done a lot of awesome things. Heck, right now he is supporting almost the entire family all by himself! But he is SOOO dedicated to Christ, that he is able to keep things in extremely sharp perspective. Not because someone is forcing him, but because he looks at it as a healthier way of thinking.
Jesus does not tell us all to be broke. In fact, the Bible usually guides you to be responsible with your money, but don't worship it. The catchphrase, "Money is the root of all evil", is not even correct. The real wording is "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil." That seems to make a lot more sense, wouldn't you say?
Listen, I realize that God has goals for us, and they are not in any way tied to accumulating lots of wealth. BUT...God does want us to be responsible, and to take care of ourselves. Legitimate success, kept in perspective, is more than okay in His eyes. Don't believe me? I'm sure your church pastor will confirm that. After all, he DOES receive a salary for minding his flock, right?
Folks, let's get together and improve everybody's life. Let's teach each other to be frugal at the right time, and to be generous at the right time. We should be passing along advice, not trying to take advantage. I recently received a message from a group member who thought I trumpeted financial topics too much. Well, my reply was, "This seems to be necessary right now. If there is some other type of crisis next year, you can bet I'll be advising on how to deal with THAT!"
I really did have a money goal. It was big, and obvious, and it weighed on me. I put it ahead of some other important things, like health and happiness, mainly because I had the goal my whole adult life I guess. It was not until I went about one year without a job, that I decided the money goal was not only somewhat unrealistic, but if I followed that particular path, it would not be tremendously enjoyable. Seems like people with really large pockets do a whole lot of changing, sometimes negative, and often can't even tell that it has happened.
My dad is a successful guy. He has done a lot of awesome things. Heck, right now he is supporting almost the entire family all by himself! But he is SOOO dedicated to Christ, that he is able to keep things in extremely sharp perspective. Not because someone is forcing him, but because he looks at it as a healthier way of thinking.
Jesus does not tell us all to be broke. In fact, the Bible usually guides you to be responsible with your money, but don't worship it. The catchphrase, "Money is the root of all evil", is not even correct. The real wording is "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil." That seems to make a lot more sense, wouldn't you say?
Listen, I realize that God has goals for us, and they are not in any way tied to accumulating lots of wealth. BUT...God does want us to be responsible, and to take care of ourselves. Legitimate success, kept in perspective, is more than okay in His eyes. Don't believe me? I'm sure your church pastor will confirm that. After all, he DOES receive a salary for minding his flock, right?
Folks, let's get together and improve everybody's life. Let's teach each other to be frugal at the right time, and to be generous at the right time. We should be passing along advice, not trying to take advantage. I recently received a message from a group member who thought I trumpeted financial topics too much. Well, my reply was, "This seems to be necessary right now. If there is some other type of crisis next year, you can bet I'll be advising on how to deal with THAT!"