Money Matters: Devotions from Time of Graceنموونە

Spending Money God’s Way: Live Within Your Means

My late Father-in-Law is my hero for a number of reasons. I remember him especially for his self-control. He used to sigh about wanting a boat. After his children were grown, people would urge him to get the boat he’d been dreaming of. “No,” he’d say. “Why not?” “Because then I’d just want something else.” For him, the boat was the edge where he knew he needed to stop in order to live within his means.

Way too many people feel immense pressure to pretend to be somebody who they’re not. They drive themselves into debt to maintain their image. God isn’t fooled: “Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food” (Proverbs 12:9).

Practice some phrases with me: “I can’t afford it.” “Maybe someday.” “I don’t need to impress him/her.” “It’ll have to wait.” Jesus Christ accepted you as you are. You can accept yourself as you are. People will accept you as you are, only if you take the first step of self-acceptance. My Father-in-Law lived a very happy life without ever owning a boat. Are you possibly overspending so that you can pretend to be someone you are not?