What Had I Done with All My Money?
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If I had to look back on the past year and give thoughts on my life, it would be this: I'm embarrassed.
Actually, it's more than that.
In the last year, my husband and I have suffered incredible financial setbacks. What began as him leaving a job where his paychecks were bouncing, to starting his own company during an incredibly difficult economy, was topped off with me losing my job—and the only steady income and security we had—nearly a year later.
While nothing will put you to the test like losing more than half your income, nothing will leave you more embarrassed—mortified even—to cut back on everything in your life only to discover that you've been an incredibly wasteful person.
Before our financial strain began, we already determined that we needed to be good stewards of our money—to use it more wisely and pay off any debt we'd accumulated. While we started on that goal—and saw success—we never fully adopted the mantra that less was more. We'd become ungrateful for what we were given. An ungratefulness that was embarrassing to measure as it displayed itself so boldly before us.
The raw truth is that we were spoiled—giving little thought to where our money went or how we might better use it.
Cavalier Spenders
Our wastefulness was born slowly over the course of many years and completely unrecognized. We weren't spending extravagantly. We didn't have large toys sitting in our driveway or photos of luxurious vacations dotting our mantle. Our negligence was in small choices made consistently over time. We used our excess income as opportunities to pamper our lives, to treat ourselves. It's amazing how expensive these "small expenses" seemed once we didn't have the excess money to spend on them.
Suddenly, picking up fast food on a busy evening seemed a ridiculous waste of 20 dollars, when that same amount could provide two healthy meals cooked at home. Flipping through 300 channels on our televisions smacked of excess when the bare basics package for 60 dollars less a month would still give us more channels than we'd ever watch.
Unfortunately, it took us crashing to the cold hard bottom of the empty bank account to realize that we needed to refocus our spending.
While we take complete responsibility for our irresponsibility and resulting downfall, we can look back now and see that God also played a role in our situation. I not only believe that this was the best thing that ever happened to us, but also that God orchestrated the entire thing to teach two of his children a much needed lesson.
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Shonda
I appreciate this article so much. My goal is to work on my finances and not spend unnecessary money. I want to be a blessing to others and I have to be a good steward of my finances in order to do so.
Karen
Perfect timing Lord! After being challenged by my Pastor to ask God what I wasn't talking to Him about, I got my answer. It was my spending. I didn't think I had a problem but He showed me I did. And, just like God, He didn't do it with lightning bolts...gently showing me that I had used little mindless purchases to ease hurts that God wanted me to give to Him. He wanted to be my healer and not let me use stuff to try to ease the pain. This article has helped me know I am not alone in my mistakes and that God does have a plan for my healing. Thanks for your honest comments.
Noel
I'm both surprised and not surprised at the lack of comments on this excellent article. This is a hard-hitting, spiritually challenging topic that directly opposes our society's rampant materialism up to, and including, spending what we don't have in order to get nice things we don't need. I struggle with it all the time... allowing myself to enjoy the resources God has blessed me with while remembering that they are always HIS resources and that they should be used for His glory. Kudos to the author for her godly approach in the midst of learning a tough lesson.
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