Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

Yesterday, the White House presented their budget proposal for 2020 to Congress. While there is sure to be much debate over it in the coming weeks, budgets are important to the effective management of government affairs. While the government’s budget seems to not matter as much towards total spending our individual budgets, successful money management is an important aspect of life. Believe it or not, the Bible gives wisdom on money management just as it gives advice on all aspects of life. A well-known verse that is seldom part of any money management conversation, but pertains directly to it, is found in Psalm 1. It says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” The world tells us what success looks like – flashy cars, houses, vacations, and the like. But the Bible paints a very different picture of success. When we trust God and seek His ways over what the world tells us to do, we will prosper. The Bible tells us that prospering is not in how much you make but in the peace you find in managing well what you have. Today, consider how you are making decisions when it comes to your money and if it is following God’s principles or the world’s.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:1-3 NLT