Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
The Bible is full if practical instructions in the precepts and examples given, so that everyone may study and reason from cause to effect, the successes and failings of those who have gone before. In the last great recession which took the world to the brink of financial collapse, many important and basic lessons were given through the providence of God, with the intent that the previous errors of nations and individuals may be avoided. What was worthy of note in that recent episode is that there was a trickle-down effect, in that the mistakes of those in authority were also to be observed in the lives of individuals, churches, and families across the land.
One of the errors that got us into the last great recession is that of disregarding a fundamental teaching of the Bible, as it pertains to living within our means. This principle and instruction of God is designed to prevent the likes of what we are again witnessing today in the failures of Greece and Puerto Rico, mistakes that could have been avoided if due heed was taken when it should have been. The habit of spending money before it is earned, or wasting it because it is available, is productive of great evil, and it is one of the greatest lessons to be deduced from the former and current crisis, which is scheduled to deepen as the days and weeks go by.
The financial systems of this world are structured to keep nations and individuals in constant debt, and if in our experiences we are not very careful as Christians, we too will also be sucked in with the prevailing ideology that we must keep on borrowing to live. As it is presently, the U.S is borrowing money daily from China and other countries to pay its bills, and the amounts are indeed staggering, numbering in the hundreds of billions each year that goes by. Greece is also now suffering the results of the same error, in that it needs to borrow money to pay its loans, a deadly cycle which very few nations and individuals ever escape from.
Anytime a loan cannot be repaid with money that is earned, we may know for certain that we are in one of satan's favorite snares that he sets for the feet of the unwary, and therefore it behooves us to study carefully the instructions and principles that are written in the word of God, so that what we are now beholding in distant lands, may not come home to roost in our backyards. Whenever money is earned, a portion of it should first be set aside for tithes and offerings, in harmony with the laws given in the Bible upon this point. And after God's kingdom has been taken care of first, then another portion should be set aside for cases of emergency only, which will inevitably come our way sooner or later.
The savings thus put aside should not be interfered with for any trivial reason, even if there are huge stockpiles available, for there is always the temptation to spend lavishly, simply because we may have the wherewithal and the ability to do so. The godly principle of being content with the necessities of life, coupled together with living within our means, will prevent us to a large degree from following in the footsteps of Greece and other developed nations that are currently riddled with mounting debt, and if America does not awake out of slumber to correct these errors, then we ourselves, together with Greece and Puerto Rico will be singing from the same page in the very same choir, because the principle of contentment applies equally across the board to nations and individuals alike. Let's read:
1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
The unrestrained use of credit cards and other debt instruments are the means by which we are brought into financial slavery, therefore godly wisdom and prudence need to be exercised by the Christian in every area of life, so that we may not fall a prey to satan's many devices, and thus plunge ourselves and our families into financial ruin unnecessarily. Those Nike shoes that cost hundreds of dollars, and those numerous dresses and hats which fill our closets, that are hardly ever worn, and the many trinkets, and indulgences which keep us double-dipping into our rainy day fund, must all be laid to rest, because, as is stated in the Bible, God is very practical in His instructions, and the laws of cause and effect are often left to run their natural course, especially if we persist in a wrong course of action.
Let us therefore learn these spiritual lessons with a humble heart and a teachable spirit, for the lessons of history are not intended merely for intellectual uses, but also for practical purposes so that we may choose safe paths for our feet. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to learn and learn well, for it is the will of The Lord, that all unnecessary suffering and hardship be avoided, whenever and wherever possible. Let's read:
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
May God ad His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!