Sunday Scripture

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."  ~Proverbs 22:7

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV)                   ~Hebrews 13:5

⁸ Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.~Romans 13:8


As you can see, this week is all about money.  I am always reading books and blogs about money management and being a better steward of the money God has give us.  About two years ago, I discovered Dave Ramsey, and I must say-his books and program are the best out there for sure!  The Total Money Makeover is a life-changing book.  He is a Christian, and also a straight talker!  He doesn't sugar coat anything and I like that about him.  We have done a few steps in his Total Money Makeover and loved it.  Dustin is probably tired of hearing me start a sentence with "Dave says....".  Basically the idea is to become debt free except for your house, and then pay that off too!  He encourages everyone to use an all-cash system, and when I do that, I love it.  I love to get groceries and not have to balance the checkbook when I get home.  I don't have to do the math in my head when I'm out, figuring out how much we have in the checkbook.  I have already allotted the money and withdrawn it from the bank.  You can have a debit card with the system, but no credit cards whatsoever.  If you've ever relied on credit cards, that can be scary.  It is a good feeling to use only cash or debit though.  If you are looking to make a financial change or overhaul, check out the system!  I don't think you will regret it.  Why am I talking money today?  Well, can't things get a bit overwhelming here with holiday season upon us?  In our area, taxes are due Dec. 5th, right before the holidays.  Also, winter is right around the corner, meaning higher energy or gas bills for heating.  It's been said we may be in for a hard winter.   It seems like the perfect storm of sorts for everyone to experience some anxiety in the money department!   Some may be surprised at how many verses in the Bible address money and how we are to handle it.  My favorite one is the Romans one-"owe no many anything but love." 
I have to say, giving up my job to stay home was really scary at first for us, with the added expense of two infants and loss of income.  However, I have never regretted it one minute!  We have been amazed at how God provides for all of our needs, whether it is a grandparent buying clothes or shoes or something unexpected for the children, finding just what we need at the consignment store or Goodwill, or the case of formula that showed up on our doorstep unexpectedly from the formula company.  The day the formula showed up, the twins were just weeks old and at that moment I knew God would take care of us no matter what.  During that time we were using a $15 can of formula every day.  The NICU had me fill out paperwork to get a free can of it, and little did I know, a whole case was sent to us!  Amazing.  God ALWAYS provides if we just trust him!