Get the appWiser and Happier: Special Military Edition from Time of GraceSample
Money Matters: Saving money God’s way
As recently as the mid-1980s, Americans were saving money at a 10% rate. That is, for every $100 they grossed, they would save $10. Do you know what the savings rate is now? 0%. Yep, you heard me. 0%. That sounds to me like the behavior of people who either think they have no future or who are simply assuming that someone else will take care of them when they are old.
The Bible does indeed warn us of the dangers of materialism. Money can easily become a god that people adore and trust. But that doesn’t mean that poverty should be a life goal for Christians. God vigorously approves of the concept of building wealth for you and your family.
A few fortunate people build their retirement funds through a large inheritance or gift. The rest of us need to grow it bit by bit. It is a wonderful discipline to spend less than you make and save the difference. Here is Solomon’s advice: “He who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11).
There are people who are willing to help you put financial plans together. Talk to someone you trust, someone who has his or her financial house in order. Learn what you can about investments, about NASDAQ and the Dow Jones. Take advantage of the programs that you as a member of the military have access to. And pray for God’s blessings on whatever plans you make.
Start young.
As recently as the mid-1980s, Americans were saving money at a 10% rate. That is, for every $100 they grossed, they would save $10. Do you know what the savings rate is now? 0%. Yep, you heard me. 0%. That sounds to me like the behavior of people who either think they have no future or who are simply assuming that someone else will take care of them when they are old.
The Bible does indeed warn us of the dangers of materialism. Money can easily become a god that people adore and trust. But that doesn’t mean that poverty should be a life goal for Christians. God vigorously approves of the concept of building wealth for you and your family.
A few fortunate people build their retirement funds through a large inheritance or gift. The rest of us need to grow it bit by bit. It is a wonderful discipline to spend less than you make and save the difference. Here is Solomon’s advice: “He who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11).
There are people who are willing to help you put financial plans together. Talk to someone you trust, someone who has his or her financial house in order. Learn what you can about investments, about NASDAQ and the Dow Jones. Take advantage of the programs that you as a member of the military have access to. And pray for God’s blessings on whatever plans you make.
Start young.
Scripture
About this Plan
The experience of serving your country overseas--and sometimes seeing firsthand man’s inhumanity to man--may teach you important lessons about life while turning your stomach at the same time. But recognize that God has an even better way for us to learn life wisdom, a way that continually draws us closer to him no matter how far from family or church we might be. Because of his great love for us, he would much rather make us wiser through words. In this way we wouldn’t be sadder but wiser; we would be wiser and happier. The Bible’s book of Proverbs is an absolute gold mine of wisdom for the daily decisions you must make. It will help you develop your personal values and tune your life’s agenda more closely to resemble God’s.
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We would like to thank Time of Grace Ministry for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.timeofgrace.org
