HOW TO KEEP A BUDGET
An Abridged Study and Testimony on Finances, Using the Word of God--the Scriptures--as the Main Focal Point
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Do Our Hearts Deceive Us?
"Do
not store up for yourselves wealth here on earth, where moths and rust destroy,
and burglars break in and steal. Instead, store up for yourselves wealth
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and burglars do not break in or
steal. For where your wealth is, there your heart will be also.
‘The eye is the lamp of the body.’ So if you have a ‘good eye’
<that is, if you are generous> your whole body will be full of light; but
if you have an ‘evil eye’ <if you are stingy> your whole body will be
full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that
darkness! No one can be slave to two
masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the
second and be loyal to the first. You can't be a slave to both God and money.
Matthew 6:19-24 (Complete Jewish Bible)
Someone
who is trustworthy in a small matter is also trustworthy in large ones, and
someone who is dishonest in a small matter is also dishonest in large ones.
So if you haven't been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who is
going to trust you with the real thing? And
if you haven't been trustworthy with what belongs to someone else, who will give
you what ought to belong to you? No
servant can be slave to two masters, for he will either hate the first and love
the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can't be a slave
to both God and money." The
P’rushim [Pharisees] heard all this, and since they were money-lovers, they
ridiculed him. Luke 16:10-14
(Complete Jewish Bible)
It was a lovely,
warm autumn day in
I have to say that this was the hardest thing I had ever asked for. As the Lord began “cleaning up my act,” I discovered many areas that were still festering, like much anger, bitterness, and unhappiness with my past lifestyle. I tried to run away from Him on one occasion, attempting to do things my way. But, I soon realized that this was a deadly mistake. So, I yielded and came back. This doesn’t mean that everything was now coming up roses. There was much to be learned and I had to learn to take the reproofs and rebukes and yet keep moving forward. There were many lessons to be discovered. However, one of the hardest ones for me, and my husband Lou, was in the area of finances.
When Lou and I first married in 1971, we were not Believers. Due to some very strange circumstances, we both lost our jobs the day before our wedding. Lou had to work several jobs just to make payments on the apartment, cars, electricity and so on. As our lives began to improve, we both finally obtained lucrative careers. And, not surprisingly, we began to visualize dollar signs and a less bumpy road to a better life--or so we thought.
What actually occurred was delusion, a desire for more things. We wanted to purchase a nicer car, to remodel our home, to buy new furniture and nicer clothes, to acquire gold and silver jewelry, and to eventually trade the house in for a 41-foot sailboat. Wow, wouldn’t that impress our friends?
Well, the list could go on, but you can see the handwriting on the wall. Before we knew it, the bills began to come in—on our credit cards. Every month the card balances grew larger and larger until we could hardly keep our noses above water. The interest alone was killing us. We would never be able to pay back what we owed. I began to get frustrated with Lou and life, yet I was not seeing my part in causing the mess with the wrong desires. Being in debt had allowed such stress on our marriage that I became angry with circumstances and divorced my husband and left.
However, the Lord,
my Hound of Heaven, would not leave me
abandoned and miserable in a foreign land, literally.
When I ran from my problems, I headed for the
Although Lou and I had decided I would be a stay-at-home-mother and never go out of the home to work again, we realized that something had to be done in order to clear up our credit status. His job was good and the salary sufficient for our needs, but not enough to rebuild credit from damaged old debt. I found a nice position managing an electronics corporation and we worked hard to pay off the bills. The Father never left our sides during these times. He had a plan to bless and we had to learn to obey. This was not easy for two hard-headed people.
Being in debt and not knowing how to give to the Lord, we began contributing to the church. At first, it was grudgingly. I have to admit that we were afraid to let go of what little we had acquired. But something kept telling me to trust, so I suggested to Lou that we follow what the Lord said in His Word and trust Him—just one time—to see if He really meant what He said. It was no surprise when the pastor of the church we attended preached that very week on “giving.” The words that struck my heart were:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure that ye give it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38
So, we bit the silver bullet and handed over 10% of our week’s earnings. This was a big thing for Lou. I wish you could have seen his eyes as he watched his hard-earned money going down the aisle, person to person. Yet, the surprise was on Lou. That very week the money he gave was doubled to the penny and returned to him by the Lord. What a faith-builder our God is! We didn’t even understand giving a “tithe,” 10%, but we did it anyway and our tithe was blessed. So, to prove a point here, we have never stopped with just 10% since. The joy has come in giving and giving. And, He has kept His promise by giving and giving back.
About this time, the Lord allowed us to attend several seminars on how to manage our money. We learned some wonderful ways to “get out of debt and stay out.” As we began practicing each one, all matched to Scripture, we watched miracles taking place. From that time on, we never felt the pressure or stress of money again. That is why I feel it would be good for me to share some of the things we learned during those many years ago. And, I would like for each of you to share your experiences also. There is profit in wise counsel.
Let me just say here, that the God of creation has allowed us to have a nice log home on 4.5 acres in North Carolina paid for, a relatively new car and truck paid for, a three-story addition on our home paid for. This is not to boast. This is to share how He alone has brought us to this point. Whatever stress we might have now, it is definitely not from finances. Yet, we do not trust in our money or things. We realize that these are temporary and will someday be gone. Yet, our hearts have been molded in the right way—His way—of spending His money.
Never
Presume Upon Tomorrow
Do you know that one never knows what tomorrow will bring? (Proverbs 27:1) It is so true. Look at the world right now. Everyone is presuming upon tomorrow. Going into debt to purchase things is presumption. The meaning of this word is: An assumption that is taken for granted or audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to. Do you realize that every time we purchase something and we don’t have the money to pay for it, we are acting under presumption? If we buy more than we have money to pay for the item(s), we are stealing. (Exodus 20:15) This is a scary thought, yet millions of people do this everyday and don’t think a thing about it.
Consideration No. 1
– Today, plan to spend only what money you have.
If you don’t have the money, don’t spend it in presumption.
Consideration No. 2 – Decide whether or not the item you desire to purchase is a need or want.
Consideration
No. 3 – If you have been presuming, repent and ask for forgiveness.
If you have been stealing, please do the same.
God
Says You Have Not Because You Ask Not
What does the Father have to say about this?:
You desire things
and don't have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can't get
them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don't have is that you don't
pray! Or you pray and don't receive,
because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own
desires. You unfaithful wives!
[Adulteresses] Don't you know that loving the world is hating God? Whoever
chooses to be the world's friend makes himself God's enemy!
Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is
a spirit in us which longs to envy? James
4:2-5
Our family has learned some great truths from these words. Our life was one of fighting and quarrels over money. We had not learned the principle of needing versus wanting or indulging our own desires.
Personally, I believe that moving away from the big city was a good thing for us. We learned to live on a very small retirement and trust the Father to help us pay all bills. Basically, we learned to live on less, a lot less. We decided to raise our own poultry (eggs and meat), goats (meat and milk) and so on. We grew our own vegetables. We shopped for clothing at consignment shops or yard sales. We learned to share with others by giving away those things we didn’t need or couldn’t use. And to this day, we still continue to do this.
I’m not sure what it is, but when folks come to the country from the city, most of them are restless and fidgety. One of the first things they want to do is go to a mall. Mall? We don’t have one, unless you mean Mao Mart (Wal-Mart). They usually go there anyway as they just want to “shop,” to spend money. I remember those days.
We have found that by making a list of needs and wants, things will come as the Father sees fit. And, in order to quickly curb the need to “shop til ya drop,” we began purchasing only for others in need. Yet every time we had a need or want, we would ask the Father first. Many times He said “No.” We realized later that we really didn’t need that thing, which seemed so important at the time.
For example, after
Hurricane Andrew destroyed our home in
The Lord had also done this with our car, truck, and many other high priced items. We prayed for the need and He provided.
Consideration No. 1 – If you are fighting
and quarreling and you can trace it to financial indebtedness, confess this as
sin and change your ways.
Consideration No. 2 – Are you remembering
to ask the Father for the things you need?
Consideration No. 3 – Are you asking for needs
or wants? Are these wants
legitimate or are you asking from a discontent heart?
Consideration No. 4 – Are you keeping a
budget? Even if you are doing okay
financially, you could do even better with a budget. (Please see the end of the
document)
Consideration No. 5 – Are you envying
what others have? Stop and think
about why you need or want something before you
consider the purchase.
Consideration No. 6 – Do you make a list
and description of the item needed and submit this to the Lord?
Consideration No. 7 – Do you remember to
thank the Lord for His gift to you when
it is provided?
He
Taught Me How to Save
Well, it may come as a shock to some people, but you can’t purchase anything with your looks. Things do cost money. And, sometimes there isn’t much of it laying around.
Those of you who know me personally or have been to my website have seen how I save money purchasing food and other items, including books, in bulk. I join co-ops and if there aren’t any, I will step forward and start one. We can’t have if we are not willing to work for what we want or need. Therefore, we must give of our time and energy.
Every penny, nickel, dime or dollar I find on the floor, in pockets, on the dresser, in the bottom of the washing machine goes into a “piggy” bank. I keep this money hidden away, even from my sight. I call this “rainy day money” and it never gets touched until we have a seriously “rainy day,” like an emergency need. This would also include money made from the sale of eggs, books, used items, etc. It all goes in the “bank.” And, not the literal one either.
When Lou gets a yearly raise of a small percentage for a cost-of-living increase, I put this away like it never existed. If I pay all the bills and there is a little left over, that also goes into my “savings.” I don’t cheat. I have learned that in order to have anything, one must be frugal. Now this doesn’t mean cheap or stingy. You won’t have anything if you horde or are stingy when someone has a need. You must give.
I only give where the Father tells me to. For example, the Word tells us to give to the poor, needy, widows (true ones) and orphans. (James 1:27; Psalm 82:4) Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say to give to a church, synagogue or other body of religious folk. Now you can give to the expenses of your congregation or help to pay the leader’s wages, but this is not the tithe. This is giving to needs of the congregation or leaders. True giving is sharing with those in need. We enjoy helping fatherless children, needy (poor) people and widows on a constant basis. It is a joy, not a burden. And, we love to give from our hearts. But in order to be blessed, one must not only be giving from his/her heart, but also according to what the Holy Spirit directs. We always ask the Father before spending His money, or tithe, to help others. In this way, we know we are being obedient.
According to Torah (the first five books of the Bible), if a person is in need, one should give to them. We can also give to non-believers, but we still must be responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many times folks ask for things when they really have no need. They have a want. Therefore, it might be wise to pray and seek the will of the Father. I know of people who are constantly asking for money and they really don’t have a need. Or they have mismanaged their money and fallen into a debt trap. And believe me, I am not judging anyone regarding this. We have already been there and hope not to revisit…thank you.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you consider saving even the smallest amount of money or do you spend it
right away? Save your money, don’t
spend unless it is a need or a gift to
help others.
Consideration
No. 2 – Are you helping those in need?
Consideration
No. 3 – Are you giving to the needy,
poor, orphans (fatherless children) and widows?
Or, are you giving to an
organization, which keeps you from being personally responsible before God?
Consideration
No. 4 – Are you giving from your
heart? Or grudgingly?
Consideration
No. 5 – Are you giving according to
how the Holy Spirit directs?
Learn
from Other Wise Men
One way I learned to trust the Father with finances and needs was by reading a book about George Mueller and his many orphans. What a great man of faith he was! If you have never read his biography, I recommend that you do so soon. It will inspire you; I promise.
From what I have read, Mr. Mueller never told anyone on this earth his needs. He only asked the Father and He always provided in His perfect time. I was so impressed by this man that I have learned not to ask or tell anyone else about a need, I go to my Father in Heaven. Remember, we have not because we ask not…
This is also how I learned to trust God about medical care and physical problems.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you trust in the provision of men or the provision of the Lord?
Consideration No. 2 – Are you patiently waiting for the Lord’s
timing when you ask for a need?
Consideration
No. 3 – Are you willing to hear Him say, “No, not now.”? Or, “Wait.”
Do We
Need Insurance
Some people have placed their faith in health insurance and some trust in the provision of the Lord. Many trust in the Lord because they can’t afford the medical insurance anyway or they have learned to have faith. Many hope and pray nothing will happen to them or their family members. I (we) understand. However, we have chosen not to have insurance and trust the Father to show us “preventative health care.”
We desire to prevent our bodies from becoming sick. We trust in God’s Word. He states that He is the Great Physician, the Healer. (Exodus 15:26) He also states that He protects our going out and coming in…if we obey His commandments. (Psalm 121:8; Deuteronomy 28:6, 15) He tells us that He will not put the plagues/diseases of the Egyptians upon us if we obey. (Exodus 15:26) He warns us to not abuse the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” our body. (1 Corinthians 3:17)
Now, if we or our family are not willing to obey, then we better have insurance and a lot of it. The cost is astronomical, but without faith, proper nutrition, and walking in His way of obedience, we are bound to need medical help. And, without insurance, well, we will be in serious trouble financially. One stay in the hospital can put a person in debt for life.
If we say we know the Lord, then we need to trust in what He says. I believe that sometimes we don’t trust because of fear. Here is a verse to help in this area. Memorize it and use it--a lot.
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the
desire of the righteous shall be granted. Proverbs
10:24
What is it you fear? Do you know that this spirit of fear will come upon you? Do you realize that what you are fearing could happen because of your lack of faith? Remember Job’s statement in Job 3:24, “for the thing I feared has overwhelmed me, what I dreaded has happened to me.” But the Lord says, “…the desire of the righteous shall be granted.” We are righteous when we believe what the Lord says! If you believe, then the desires of your heart will be granted according to the will of the Father.
But don’t sit there and be tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14) You will be miserable. Either you believe or you don’t. Decide what and who you will believe. If it is the Lord, then follow Him…without doubts. If the Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, does He not know your needs and can He not pay for these needs? I believe so and I put my life on it.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you base what you do or what you purchase according to fear?
Don’t forget Proverbs 10:24!
Consideration
No. 2 – Do you trust that the Lord can take care of your “every” need or just some needs?
Consideration
No. 3 – Are you abusing or harming the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body,
by your spiritual, mental or physical actions?
Consideration
No. 4 – Are you willing to obey the commands of the Lord in order to receive
His protection and blessing? (Deuteronomy
28)
Consideration
No. 5 – Are you suffering now because you have not obeyed in the past?
Repent and turn from the sin that caused the problem in the first place.
Then be patient and wait for the healing, should the Lord desire to heal
you. Ask what you can do in the
meantime. Seriously!
Are
You Eating and Cooking Your Way Out of Debt?
Strange words, right? But it is true. If you don’t want to spend money on doctors, prescriptions, hospitals, etc., then start thinking about what you and your family are eating.
How about a nice, juicy hamburger and some greasy potato chips? Well, the hamburger better be good quality beef, grass-fed, organic, or kosher if possible, and forget the chips. Even the organic chips are cooked in sunflower, safflower and Canola oils. (Check out the FAQs on www.kitchen2.com ) I have only seen one brand of olive-oil-fried chips and the price was far too high for my budget. And, then I consider the fact that these were fried in oil that was heated at high temperatures.
When I shop for food, even in a co-op, I don’t purchase cookies, candy, sodas, ice cream, etc. If I need some of these items, I will attempt to make them myself and at much more reasonable price. And, we have found that eating good, fresh fruit is much healthier, better tasting and less expensive. I think we have ruined our taste buds and now want man’s food instead of God’s provision.
We have allowed our taste buds and brain to tell us how to eat. We think that sweets have to taste sickening sweet in order to be good. We believe we must have drinks like sodas, flavored coffees, and fancy flavored water. Oy, slow down. Simplify. Try drinking water. It is healthier and costs a lot less.
Think about this… What did Yeshua/Jesus eat? I don’t think many of the items offered in the grocery or even co-op catalogs were in His daily diet. We have just become spoiled and gluttonous. I can say this as I too have been there and done that. What do we think is going to happen to us in these end days? It won’t be there folks!
Try to eat more vegetables and fruit. Eat lean meats, poultry and fish. Go softly on the fats and dairy products. And eat your grains, whole, not stripped of nutrients and whitened with bleach. Grind your own. Whole grains are easier to store than ground ones and they hold their nutrients much longer.
Go figure. Seriously. Think about how much all of the “manufactured foods” in the stores cost you. Then add up the items you really need on your shopping list. I mean “really need.” You might be surprised. Are you seeing wants or needs? Is purchasing the wants going to put you in a financial bind again?
Learn to eat only when you are truly hungry or at specified meal times, not every time you pass the refrigerator. This is hard for many. It is a habit. Boredom sets in and, “Let’s see…there must be something in that box for me to munch on.” We can easily get into this rut and it is hard to break. Then it becomes a matter of, our will power vs. His right power.
Do you know that eating foods lacking in nutrients only makes a person hungry again very quickly? We keep trying to get satisfied, but it doesn’t happen. That is because only “real” food makes us satisfied. God made us that way. And God made the “real” food that way.
I do understand that there are those in your family who might not agree. But if we start by implementing these ideas a little at a time, they will soon see the difference and thank you for it when they see the savings and better health.
Consideration No. 1 – Do you try to shop
with local co-op farms and those co-ops that will deliver to your area?
Do you buy in bulk from stores or co-ops?
Consideration No. 2 – Do you save money
by not purchasing unnecessary food items, especially junk/filler
food?
Consideration No. 3 – Do you plan your
meal menus wisely? Do you set a
budgeted amount and stick with it? Do
you plan each meal and figure ahead of time what items you will need?
Then, do you purchase only those things?
Avoid temptation and you will save money.
Consideration No. 4 – Have you considered
learning how to make meals from scratch and save bundles of money?
Then, you could put that money in a safe, storage box or jar for a
“rainy day” need or to share with
those in need.
Who
Holds the Purse Strings In Your Home?
I remember when Lou and I first got married that he requested I keep the finances. He didn’t like doing the books and really didn’t want to do it. So therefore, I grudgingly took over. I have to tell you that for many, many years all I did was fuss and complain every month. It was like having PMS symptoms, which I didn’t have.
Then one day about 10 years ago I discovered something in Proverbs 31. It stated that this proverbial woman was doing the buying and selling and her husband trusted in her. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. All this time I was setting my goal on being a Proverbs 31 woman and I had already lost the battle in the area of finances. It was time to rethink this.
So, I sat down the next month with a pen, calculator, a computer home bookkeeping program, a columnar ledger pad, checkbook, bills, envelopes and stamps and away I went. I prayed and kept a smile on my face. I thought it would take awhile to have a good attitude, but before I knew it, I realized why the Proverbs 31 woman was making a profit on her buying and selling. And, why her hubby could trust in her. She was brilliant! She planned everything out from the meals her family ate, the clothing, the bed coverings, the type of clothing she would wear, how her children dressed--doubly clothed, the land she would own, the vineyard she would plant, her home business and so on. She was incredible to say the least.
But then something came over me. If she was the “role model” for all of us women, then God was telling each of us we could do the same. And, our husbands could sit in the gates of the cities and be “pleased as punch” over what we had done to make them wonderful husbands, admired by all the other men who didn’t have a Mrs. P31. I though, “If I am going to emulate her, I will have to work on a different attitude.”
I finally realized my goal and calling. I had to do the best I could with what my husband earned, not squandering it on silliness. I could take some of this and start a little side business or better yet, invest in other people to get the better rewards in Heaven. I made the decision that day to be the best I could be in everything. It would be difficult. Here was another mountain to climb, but with the help of the Father, I could accomplish it…and you can too. Remember, it is a matter of attitude.
You say your husband wants to keep the checkbook. That is fine. But you can still do your part to help make sure all spending is “righteous” before God. And, at the same time, pray that he will see your part in this area of the home and allow you to take over your duty, should this be the plan.
If you feel you don’t have the education to keep a budget, don’t worry, there are those who can help you. Also, there is a simple budget outline at the end of this document.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you have a right attitude about keeping the finances of the home?
Consideration
No. 2 – Are you spending your husband’s earnings wisely and with the
knowledge of the Lord? Do you ask
Him how to keep the finances in the right order?
Consideration
No. 3 – Do you protect all investments? Are
you a good steward of what the Father has already entrusted to you?
(Luke 12:48b)
Consideration
No. 4 – Do you purchase foolishly and waste money needlessly?
Or, do you spend wisely?
Consideration
No. 5 – Do you support your husband when he budgets the money and discuss
ideas with him about needs in the
home? Don’t forget you have the
right of appeal and to make suggestions.
What
Is Wrong With Used?
Why is it that we feel everything we buy must be new? Now, obviously there are some things that should be in an unused condition, but most things could be purchased at a much smaller price if they are used.
For years, and I do mean years, our family has purchased used homes, used cars, used clothing, used shoes, used tools, used books, and on and on to save money. We purchase at thrift stores, from yard sales, through online thrift stores, etc. You can’t imagine how much money I have been able to save just by doing this. And, the best thing is that many times I am able to get something “new” at one of these places.
Since our daughters are homeschooled, the cost of school books could be horribly expensive--until I learned that they “don’t have to be new.” I now purchase a $12 or $25 book for $2 or $4. Many of our reference books for science come from used books sellers and places like amazon.com’s thrift stores. Recently I purchased a $30 gardening book for 75 cents. I had to pay $4 for shipping, but I still made a great purchase and was able to save $25.25. The book, by the way, has been instrumental in teaching my children how to garden so well that they now want their own plot of land to grow food for the needy. The book is the Joy of Gardening by Dick Raymond.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you consider purchasing used items instead of new?
Consideration
No. 2 – Do you take the time to investigate/research prices and the quality of
items before you purchase?
Consideration
No. 3 – Are you patient and wait for the best price or do you purchase because
you “have to have it right now”?
Consideration
No. 4 – Do you enjoy spending money to get what you want
or do you enjoy saving money on the items you need?
Borrowing,
the World’s Trap
I can’t tell you how sad I feel when I read the news of all the people who are so far in debt that it seems they will never get out. Every week in our local newspaper I read about more and more people losing their homes. How did this happen? Easy. It was spending what one does not have and not planning for tomorrow.
The world system has made it so easy to borrow and be in debt. Do you know there are several warnings in Scripture about borrowing? The Lord does not want us to owe anyone anything but love. (Romans 13:8) Borrowing puts us into a position of “slavery.” If we borrow, we now owe something to another person and we MUST pay it back.
This is another reason we should not lend to others. We are actually making them a slave to us. It is better to give to that person than to put them in bondage. When we lend, we should expect that the item(s) lent, including money, will never return. We must give it to the Father and allow Him to take care of it. Possibly we will never see the item(s) or money again, but that is not for us to be concerned about. If it comes home, fine; if it doesn’t, well, that is fine also. Give it to the Lord.
One of the things I learned while living in
People were speculating and buying up land, building houses and then the bubble burst. They didn’t realize that “nothing lasts forever” and they didn’t read the signs of the times or plan ahead.
This has now happened in our country and many people are suffering for their unwise decisions. They are now trapped, a slave to the lender and possibly losing more than they bargained for.
Another way many people lose is by becoming “partners” and striking up a partnership with other people.
In one of the seminars Lou and I attended years ago, the instructor, Mr. Sammons, talked about how unscriptural partnerships were. We were surprised. But it was a good lesson for my husband and me. We decided right then that this was not a good way for us to invest our money.
One of the things I remember him saying was that a person never really “knows” their partner. And, if that person fails morally, the entire partnership will have a blot on it. If the other partner is a Believer, it could and usually does ruin his and God’s reputation.
He also mentioned that if the Lord does not provide the resources for us to do the business, ministry, etc., alone, then, He never wanted us to have it in the first place.
Another statement he made was that the Father enjoys showing Himself strong through us individually in whatever task He gives, so that He alone receives the glory, not us or anyone else.
Through the years, we have taken these words to heart and saved ourselves some serious grief. We have known many who have made partnerships and found themselves in a very disturbing, financial and moral situation. God’s way is always the right way.
Consideration No. 1
– Do you realize the repercussions of borrowing?
Consideration
No. 2 – Do you consider lending as giving
instead of expecting a return?
Consideration
No. 3 – Do you consider the “signs of the times” before you invest in
anything?
Consideration
No. 4 – Who owns your money? You
or the Lord?
Consideration
No. 5 – Do you realize the serious implications of setting up a partnership?
Have you studied Scripture to prove this out?
Consideration
No. 6 – Do you desire to give the Father the glory with your finances?
Consideration
No. 7 – Do you teach your children and grandchildren these principles?
Do
You Set Your Self Up To Be Robbed?
Years ago, our family had a ministry to teens. We learned a lot from this work, and some of it was not very pleasant.
I remember a story about King Hezekiah. He decided to allow another king to come to his palace and look over his splendid treasures. Apparently this was King Hezie’s time for “Show and Tell.” The other king really “cased the joint” and came back later to steal everything. Because of King Hezekiah’s foolishness and pride, he lost all of his and the kingdom’s wealth. What a mistake he made! Yet, we had to learn this same lesson the hard way ourselves.
During the time we supervised the youth group, we invited several teens from the area and our neighborhood to come to the house for meals. Our home was always open to these children and we truly felt things were okay. However, the Lord was attempting to warn us; we just weren’t listening.
One night after dining out with one of our daughters and her husband, we came home to find our house completely gutted of everything. It looked like a huge vacuum cleaner had sucked out all of our “treasures.” What a shock to come home to! The only thing left was our horrified poodle, a telephone and a potted tree.
As my husband cruised the neighborhood for signs of thieves, I stayed near the house. That was when I noticed a young man with a page-boy haircut, his trademark, running out from the side of our house with our stereo system in his arms. I recognized the boy right away. He was one of the neighborhood teens who came to our youth group. I have to say I was furious. And, to make things worse, the courts allowed him to get off with a vacation at a government run “diving school” to learn how to scuba dive. He was 17 and had not yet turned 18 in order to be tried as an adult.
So, we learned our lesson. It seems that when the teens were over, they were taking turns “casing” the house for goods. We thought we were doing a good deed while they were doing their own dirty deed. We did get most of our things back, but some things were damaged and several expensive items, like jewelry and rare coins were missing.
It did teach us several things though, along with the fact that a few years later, Hurricane Andrew took it all anyway. The lesson—the only thing on this earth with real value is human life. Everything else will rust, rot, blow away or be stolen. Sound like a Scripture verse? (Matthew 6:19-20) Our true treasures are now being stored in Heaven where they should be. Right?
Did anything good come out of that lesson with the teens? Yes. We were able to share the gospel with the “leader” who we caught red handed. He listened and asked forgiveness. I do not know if he ever trusted the Lord or not, but he heard the truth. My prayer is that he will someday embrace this truth and I will meet him in Heaven in his new white robe.
Consideration No. 1 – Who owns your
“things”? You or God?
Consideration
No. 2 – Are you discerning when it comes to having people in your home?
Do you ask the Father who should come in and who shouldn’t?
Do you follow the Scripture with reference to this?
Consideration
No. 3 – Where are your treasures stored? On
Earth or in Heaven?
Consideration
No. 4 – Are you investing in the greatest treasure of all--the lives of other
people?
Are
You Prepared For the End of Days?
There are many places in Scripture that warn us of the doom of the end of times, yet we Believers are to count it joy as our redemption draws near. Many today are not able to understand this and continue to think that somehow the Lord is going to turn things around and make it all better. Personally, I don’t see this happening. For too many years the Father has been telling me and my family to “get prepared.” There are many Scriptures that reference this exact thing, like the ways of the ant and the story of Joseph. (Proverbs 6:6; Genesis 30:25f)
It will be much harder now for folks to prepare as the prices are going up and several people are out of work. There are many companies closing their doors, a lot of products will soon not be available.
With all of this in mind, I would highly suggest that if you haven’t started putting some things aside, you should consider doing whatever you can now…as it is said in Spanish, ahora pronto! Right now! There isn’t much time left, but what is available to us should be used wisely.
If you don’t have the funds to get many things, this would be a great time to practice “asking.” Remember, He, the Lord God, warned us that we have not because we ask not. I do not believe it would be “amiss” to ask for necessities, needs, to help your family and others. Do this now. Don’t wait.
The best
preparation is spiritual, mental and physical.
We must be right with the Lord, obeying all of His commandments that
apply to us, from Genesis to Revelation. Don’t
do what man does, but do what Yeshua/Jesus did.
He was a Jew; not a Christian. He
didn’t go to church; He went to the
We must have the right mental attitudes and thoughts during the day in order to keep stress and fear from controlling us. Stress and fear can kill or immobilize us. Memorize Scripture in the area of your weakness to help ward off these two problems. And, don’t believe the lies of Satan. This is a main cause of depression. Another thing which we do is to play peaceful, Scriptures songs in the house to allow peace to have dominion and not fear.
Physically we should be in good health, have food and other items stored up for various needs. Then rest in the assurance that our Father will be in control and He will help us walk through the storm. He promised to never leave us or forsake us. (1 Kings 8:57; Nehemiah 9:19; Hebrew 13:5)
Prepare your own heart and that of your children. Children who have been left in the dark about what is about to happen will not be able to understand and fear/panic could control them. Also, train children to be quiet and peaceful. It might save their lives.
Our family did a year’s study on the holocaust and actually met several survivors. What they endured is amazing. Many of these elderly people were children during this trying time; and, they told us how they had to hide under beds, in closets, attics and basements. They also mentioned how they had to be quiet like little mice and could not make a sound. Can your children or grandchildren do this? Or, are they undisciplined?
The Bible warns us that the next holocaust will be much more severe. Some have likened the first one to kindergarten compared to what is about to happen during the end of times. Are you prepared? Do you know the signs? Are you standing on the trestle watching for the train and have no place to go when you finally see it? This is a very serious time. Please consider what you MUST do.
Consideration No. 1 – In what ways have
you prepared yourself and your family for the end times?
Consideration No. 2 – Have you been
taking the time to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit?
Can you recognize His voice?
Consideration No. 3 – Have you prepared
your home with the items you might need?
Consideration No. 4 – Do you read your
Bible daily and study to show yourself
approved to God?
Consideration No. 5 – Are you teaching
your children and grandchildren about the end days?
Consideration No. 6 – Are you
disciplining your children in order for them to be safe and feel secure?
Consideration No. 7 – Are you asking the
Father to help you prepare by showing Him your list of needs?
Consideration No. 8 – Are you prepared spiritually, mentally, and physically? If not, what do you need to start working on?
May the Father of Heaven give you His light in these last days in order to hear Him, understand His Word, be able to apply the words, and grow in wisdom, discernment, knowledge and understanding. May we all become “servants of the Lord” in order to help each other in these difficult times.
Listed at the end are Scriptures related to finances. I hope you will take the time to read them and consider what they might be saying to you and your family.
Shalom v’ahava (Peace and love),
Kathie Palladino
www.kitchen2.com
HOW TO KEEP A BUDGET THE EASY
WAY
One thing I discovered years ago was that if I don’t keep a budget, I will never be able to pay all the bills and stay out of debt. That was/is a fact. Yet today, doing this is a blessing!
If you already have a budget plan setup, please skip this section. This is basically a help for those who do not have a budget or who do not know how to keep one.
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED: (a recommendation)
1) A simple, inexpensive computer program to help with bookkeeping for home use. We happen to have Quicken 2004. There might be a newer version, but this one does fine. All I actually keep on this are two checking accounts. I do not use the other options. This program allows me to keep my checks up to date, keep a running balance, and reconcile my accounts. It does have a backup feature. NOTE: If you do not have a computer, please check item No. 2 under “WHAT TO DO.”
2) An inexpensive adding machine. I would recommend one that has large number keys to keep eye strain and finger stress at a minimum. They come in solar power, battery and electric. I use a Casio HR-100TM which costs about $9 or so. It even has a paper tape to keep track of certain items. However, you can also purchase one much cheaper at Wal-Mart or office supply stores.
3) A columnar pad. I use one that has 7 columns on each page. When I open it up, there are then 14 columns on a two-page spread. This gives me enough columns to list each month of the year and the items to be paid on each page. Columnar pads can be purchased at Wal-Mart or office supply stores. They are inexpensive.
4) Good quality, writing pen with non-erasable ink is best. I say this because there are those out in the world who know how to use chemicals to erase your check--all except for the signature. Mine are made by Uni-Ball (Signo #207). Be sure to use ink on your columnar ledger paper as well. If you make a mistake, put a line through and write above the error. This is to keep information from being accidentally smudged out or erased.
5) Your checkbook filled with money, or at least enough to pay the present bills. If you can afford the extra charge, a two-part check book is the best way to go. In this way, there is always a copy left behind each time a check is written, which is great for the times your spouse takes the checkbook.
6) Your bills for the month.
7) Stamps, envelopes, and return address labels. Don’t forget a cup of tea, glass of water or a nice treat to make you smile. Remember, this is only a once-a-month task. Mark your calendar on or near the 30th of each month to do this. It will also serve as a reminder.
Now with these seven items, you are ready to start.
WHAT
TO DO:
1) Okay, just in case someone doesn’t know this: Turn on the computer and bring up the program. Be sure your program is installed and you have knowledge of how to use it. Then, turn on the adding machine.
2) You can actually keep a budget without the computer program. However, it does take a lot more time on the adding machine and you will have to keep a check ledger for balancing your account each month. A balance-ledger sheet is generally included in your bank statement each month, in order to keep your account balanced. This is a MUST DO.
3) Using your columnar pad:
a. In column 1 at the top of the page (left side), write the word BILL. You will write each bill “name” in the spaces going down the page. Example: Tithe, House/Rent, Master Card, Electric, Telephone, Cell phone, Insurance: Home and/or Life, Taxes, Auto Tags, Groceries, Charities. Each of these should be on their own line. This will give you a column across both pages to write each month’s bill amount. (See illustration below.)
b. In columns 2 through 7 across, write the names of the month at the top of each column. You will have Jan through Jun across the top of the left page. (See illustration below.)
c. Then go to the adjoining page (right side) and write the same things again starting at column 1 for bills and then columns 2 through 7 for months. In columns 2 through 7 you will write Jul through Dec across the top. This will give you a full year at a glance. NOTE: Be sure to write the names of your bills in the same numbers on page 1 as on the adjoining page, page 2. If you don’t, you will get very confused by the time July comes around.
d. Each month when the bills come in, you will write the amount of the bill on the same line as the bill name. For example: Electric, the month is January, you will write in the space under Jan and next to electric $241.67 or whatever your bill amount is. In February, you will do the same thing with that month’s bills.
BILL JAN
FEB
MAR
ARP MAY
JUN
Tithe 250.00
250.00
Rent 560.00
560.00
Elec 241.67 230.55
Tele 22.35
25.67
MCrd 148.56
135.35
Visa
52.00
63.75
After you actually pay these bills, you will make a line through them showing you did just that. (See illustration above for January.)
It is a good idea to categorize your bills. For example, all credit cards should be together in column 1. Don’t put one credit card, then electric, then another credit card. Put all charities together. Put all home-related bills together. You could leave space between each category also. In this way, you will have room to add others later, like if you get a cell phone and didn’t have one before.
The columnar pad has little numbers on the sides and across the top to help you keep things in order.
e. It is also a good idea to total up your bills before you start. You can even
add this amount to the bottom of column 1, example January’s bills.
f. You can also total all income and place it in the same column. If you put
the income first, then you can subtract the bill amount. As time goes on you should see a profit at the bottom for each month. This can be used for savings for that need or more giving as the Holy Spirit directs.
4) We have discovered that the tithe actually represents 10% (or more) of the money received in total, before taxes, social security, health insurance or any other payments are taken out of the gross or full amount. The net, or what is left over, is for bills, extra charities, misc., etc. But the tithe is a “faith” offering where you pay unto the Lord what is His first—not last. In other words, He gets the “cream off the top.” We know of others who do just the opposite and they are not being blessed. If you are doing the latter, consider giving the other way and see what happens. We’ve proven it over and over again--we have never in all these years been able to out-give God…never! The more we have given, the more we have received. It has become a time of excitement to find the next recipient.
5) After you set up your columnar ledger, you can begin paying the bills, putting them in envelopes, stamping, etc.
6) What do I do with the leftover receipts from the bills? I use a plastic, expanding file called an “Expanding File.” How clever! The one with the 13 pockets and 12 tabs which is letter envelope size is the best. It is small, compact and keeps all things in order including your used checks, deposit tickets, bill receipts, and more. Each pocket can be labeled for every type of bill. I keep a file for each 6-month period. If you don’t have many receipts, you can use it for a whole year. This is great for income tax time also. Everything is right there at your finger tips and filed by item. The item number is 50736 and the bar code number is 090696 507365.
7) As you enter each check on your columnar ledger and into your computer program you will be able to see how much you are spending each month and which areas you might need to “reconsider.” For example: Last year, during the summer and fall, our electric bill really climbed. I realized that the cost of fuel was not helping the price of our electric bill, but I had to think of a way to lower it. I could see this increase as I looked at my ledger from month to month. What did I do? I decided not to use the dryer all month, unless there was a really good reason. Instead, we hung out the clothes on a clothes line. Well, lo and behold, by the next month we had saved $100! We all took turns hanging out clothes, and our girls actually thought it was pretty neat doing things the “old-fashioned way.” They said they even liked the smell of the clothes better and that they were brighter. So, we saved money and learned some wonderful lessons.
The Father in Heaven is in the “blessing business,” and I do not say this lightly. He loves to see His children, those who know Him personally, doing what is right. He loves to treat them to blessings. If you have never considered the Lord’s blessings, you might read Deuteronomy 28. Be sure to read both the blessings and the curses. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Gleanings on Riches, Poverty,
Wealth and Giving from Scripture
Parable
of the Talents
Matthew
25:14-29 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man
travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto
them his goods. And unto one he gave
five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his
several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents. And
likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his
lord's money. After a long time the
lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more. His
lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord. He also
that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two
talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord. Then
he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou
art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast
not strawed: And I was afraid, and
went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then
at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the
talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:
but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Proverbs
1:19 So are the ways of all greedy for gain - it
takes the lives of those who get it.
Proverbs
3:9-10 Honor ADONAI (the Lord) with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your income.
Then your granaries will be filled and your vats overflow with new wine.
Proverbs
6:1-5 My son, if you have put up security for
your friend, if you committed yourself on behalf of another; you have been
snared by the words of your mouth, caught by the words of your own mouth. Do
this now, my son, and extricate yourself, since you put yourself in your
friend's power: go, humble yourself, and pester your friend; give your eyes no
sleep, give your eyelids no rest; break free, like a gazelle from the
<hunter's> trap, like a bird from the grip of the fowler.
Proverbs
6:6-11 Go to the ant, you lazybones! Consider
its ways, and be wise. It has no chief, overseer or ruler yet it provides its
food in summer and gathers its supplies at harvest-time.
Lazybones! How long will you lie there in bed? When will you get up from
your sleep? "I’ll just lie
here a bit, rest a little longer, just fold my hands for a little more
sleep" - and poverty comes
marching in on you, scarcity hits you like an invading soldier.
Proverbs
10:2 No good comes from ill-gotten wealth, but
righteousness rescues from death.
Proverbs
10:3 ADONAI
(the Lord) does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of
the wicked.
Proverbs
10:4 Idle hands bring poverty; diligent hands
bring wealth.
Proverbs
10:5 A
sensible person gathers in summer, but he who sleeps during harvest is an
embarrassment.
Proverbs
10:15 The wealth of the rich is his fortified
city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
Proverbs
10:16 The
activity of the righteous is for life; the income of the wicked is for sin.
Proverbs
10:22 The blessing of ADONAI (the Lord) is what
makes people rich, and he doesn't mix sorrow with it.
Proverbs
11:4 On the day of wrath, wealth doesn't help;
but righteousness rescues from death.
Proverbs
11:15 He who guarantees a loan for a stranger
will suffer, but refusing to underwrite is safe.
Proverbs
11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but
the righteous will flourish like sprouting leaves.
Proverbs
12:9 Better to be despised and have a servant
than to boast of one's status but have nothing to eat.
Proverbs
12:27 A lazy man doesn't roast what he hunted;
but when a man is diligent, his wealth is precious.
Proverbs
13:7-8 There are those with nothing who pretend
they are rich, also those with great wealth who pretend they are poor.
The rich man may have to ransom his life, but a poor man gets no threats.
Proverbs
13:11 Wealth gotten by worthless means dwindles
away, but he who amasses it by hard work will increase it.
Proverbs
13:18 Poverty and shame are for him who won't be
taught, but he who heeds reproof will be honored.
Proverbs
13:21 Evil pursues sinners, but prosperity will
reward the righteous.
Proverbs
13:22 A
good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner
is stored up for the righteous.
Proverbs
13:23 The fields of the poor may yield much
food, but some are swept away because of injustice.
Proverbs
14:20 The poor are disliked even by their peers,
but the rich have many friends.
Proverbs
14:23 In all work there is profit, but mere talk
produces only poverty.
Proverbs
14:24 The
crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is just that - folly.
Proverbs
14:31 The oppressor of the poor insults his
maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
Proverbs
15:6 The home of the righteous is a storehouse
of treasure, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
Proverbs
15:15 For the poor, every day is hard; but the
good-hearted have a perpetual feast.
Proverbs
15:16-17 Better little with the fear of ADONAI
than great wealth coupled with worry.
Proverbs
15:27 The greedy for gain brings trouble to his
home, but he who hates bribes will live.
Proverbs
16:3 If you entrust all you do to ADONAI, your
plans will achieve success.
Proverbs
16:8 Better a little with righteousness than a
huge income with injustice.
Proverbs
16:16 How much better than gold it is to gain
wisdom! Yes, rather than money, choose to gain understanding.
Proverbs
17:18 He who gives his hand to guarantee a loan
for his neighbor lacks good sense. [this includes a family member]
Proverbs
18:10 The name of ADONAI is a strong tower; a
righteous person runs to it and is raised high <above danger>.
Proverbs
18:11 The
wealth of the rich is his fortified city, like a high wall, in his own
imagination.
Proverbs
19:4 Wealth brings in many friends, but the poor
man loses the one friend he has.
Proverbs
19:6 Many ask favors of a generous person - to a
giver of gifts, everyone is a friend.
Proverbs
19:7 A
poor man's relatives all hate him; even more his friends stay away from him.
Proverbs
19:10 It isn't fitting for a fool to live in
luxury, and even less for a slave to govern princes.
Proverbs
19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from
ancestors, but a sensible wife is from ADONAI.
Proverbs
19:17 He who is kind to the poor is lending to
ADONAI; and he will repay him for his good deed.
Proverbs
20:13 If you love sleep, you will become poor;
keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.
Proverbs
20:14 "Really bad stuff!" says the
buyer <to the seller>; then he goes off and brags <about his
bargain>.
Proverbs
20:15 A person may have gold and a wealth of
pearls, but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
Proverbs
20:16 Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a
stranger's loan; take them as security for that unknown woman.
Proverbs
20:21 Possessions acquired quickly at first will
not be blessed in the end.
Proverbs
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead only to
abundance; but all who rush in arrive only at want.
Proverbs
21:6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor
dispersed <by> seekers of death.
Proverbs
21:13 Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of
the poor will himself cry, but not be answered.
Proverbs
21:17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want; he who
loves wine and oil won't get rich.
Proverbs
21:21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs
22:1 Rather than wealth, choose a good
reputation, esteem over silver and gold.
Proverbs
22:2 Rich and poor have this in common - ADONAI
made them both.
Proverbs
22:4 The reward for humility is fear of ADONAI,
along with wealth, honor and life.
Proverbs
22:7 The rich rule the poor, and the borrower is
slave to the lender.
Proverbs
22:9 He who is generous is blessed, because he
shares his food with the poor.
Proverbs
22:16 Both oppressing the poor to enrich oneself
and giving to the rich yield only loss.
Proverbs
22:26-27 Don't be one of those who give pledges,
guaranteeing loans made to others.
Proverbs
23:4-5 Don't exhaust yourself in pursuit of
wealth; be smart enough to desist.
Proverbs
23:21 For both drunkard and glutton will become
poor - drowsiness will clothe them with rags.
Proverbs
27:13 Seize his clothes because he guaranteed a
stranger's loan; take them as security for that unknown woman.
Proverbs
27:23-27 Take care to know the condition of your
flocks, and pay attention to your herds. For
wealth doesn't last forever, neither does a crown through all generations.
When the hay has been mown, and the new grass appears, and the mountain
greens have been gathered; the lambs will provide your clothing, the goats
will sell for enough to buy a field, and
there will be enough goat's milk to <buy> food for you and your household
and maintenance for your servant-girls.
Proverbs
28:6 Better to be poor and live an honest life
than be crooked in one's ways, though rich.
Proverbs
28:8 He who increases his wealth by charging
exorbitant interest amasses it for someone who will bestow it on the poor.
Proverbs
28:11 The rich man is wise in his own view, but
the poor who has discernment sees through him.
Proverbs
28:19 He who farms his land will have plenty of
food, but he who follows futilities will have plenty of poverty.
Proverbs
28:20 A trustworthy person will receive many
blessings, but one rushing to get rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs
28:22 He who is greedy rushes after riches, not
knowing that want will overtake him.
Proverbs
28:27 He who gives to the poor will lack
nothing, but he who hides his eyes will get curses in plenty.
Proverbs
29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his
father, but a patron of prostitutes wastes his wealth.
Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto
you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;
nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and
the body than raiment? Behold the
fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these. Wherefore,
if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast
into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For
after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things. But
seek ye first the