made a wopping $10.
Discouraged? Yes. Disappointed? Yes. Deterred? Not even! You see I realized a few weeks ago that I live in a fantasy world. One of my own creation. For the first few years...no more than that, most of my adult life, I have lived a life beyond my means. Why? Well, I really I thought I could afford it. The main reason is that I like nice things. Things that I really don't need. Yet, in my heart I felt like if I worked everyday I ought to have the things I wanted. So I bought what I wanted. If I saw it, I bought it. If i wanted to, I did it. Whatever it was, I made a way. Even if it meant waiting to take care of a monthly responsibility. Transalation: I would miss paying a bill to go shopping. (Hey, at least I'm being honest). The bright side of this concept is that I have experienced some amazing things in my life and I have looked and felt good doing them. The down side...people eventually want their money!
I am, what I like to call, a wealthy pauper. I have a home. I have a reliable vehicle. By my definition wealth is defined by my home, my car, and my ability to vacation and splurge. And when I shop, I shop! Although I am modest, I love, love LOVE designer labels. And I like timesless labels. Things that will last. If it's trendy, I probably won't have it; however, classic items always catch my eye. Finally, I don't bargain shop. At all. Why? I don't have the patience for it. This not the true definition of wealth. Real wealth occurs when your money works for you. And I definitely work for my money! But for my current state of mind and for the creative use of my oxymoronic title, I felt it was the appropriate term.
With all of the things that I have and that I am able, or at least that I am doing, my bank account is bleeding. I live paycheck to paycheck. I have to, I MUST, go to work everyday which is a horrible feeling on those days when I'm not so enthusiastic about my chosen profession. Reality check: I am literally broke! How sad. To be a college graduate, a professional, and yet be an economic slave because I have no self-control.
I regret that it has taken me until I am in my forties to realize that I have become enslaved to materialism. However, I am grateful to God that I have been allowed the opportunity for financial redemption without any major financial catastrophes. Through conviction and confession, I have studied the concept of good stewardship and I am making a deliberate effort at reformation.
This is hard work people. Hard! Thus, the reason for the yard sale. I want to decorate my house so I have some trash to treasure items that I felt could help fund my DIY projects. Thankfully, the yard sale reminded me that this is a long journey and I must now practice the concept of delayed gratification. Delaying my need to be satisfied is not an impossible task but it relies on a virtue that God has been working on in me all of my life: PATIENCE. I don't have it! However, if I am to grow financially and cease being a wealthy pauper patience is a requirement.
I should be embarrased to share this part of my life but I'm not. I know someone has experienced, is experiencing, or is about to experience this same trial. So I don't want to leave you to with the horror story of my economic outlook. I want to leave you with a message of hope...and a few strategies.
You see I have faith that my net worth can and will improve and one day I will be a true example of a wealthy individual. The Bible states that God "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Eph. 3:20)." I trust God to deliver me from this unhealthy habit of financial irresponsibilty; yet scripture is clear, God will bless me according to power that dwells in me. Don't get it twisted. He CAN do it without me but he wants to use me. I have power in Jesus Christ to fix this situation. I have work to do! So here is my plan for the work...just in case you were wondering.
First, continue to tithe. Off the gross and not the net! If you need a scriptural reference then peruse Malachi 3:10. It's a great read and if you read the entire chapter (it's short) you will learn that the tithe is about much more than giving God 10% of your money. Second, the Word of God also says, "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.(2 Thel. 3:10)." I plan to continue to work (I really wish I didn't have to...sigh). I also need a side hustle. It's not my first choice; yet, I am willing to make the sacrifice until I am debt free. Next, God also tells me in Romans 13:8, "owe no man nothing." Consequently, my next steps are to take care of my finacial responsibilities first. Translation: Pay my bills first! It's that simple. The next step is to scale back. There are just some things I don't need, i.e. movie channels on cable. Shopping has to wait. I don't have to eat out everday. My new hobbies include cooking and taking my lunch. You will be surprised at how much money you save and how much weight you might lose. (Taken from the Dave Ramsey School of Recovery!) Finally, it is urgent that I save. I'm starting small. Proverbs 13: 11 says, "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." Dollars, quarters, dimes, and nickles I save it. I have about $50 a month that goes directly into a savings account. It's small, but it's a start. We are getting a raise so I will go up twety-five more. The $10 I made yesterday, I paid $1 in my tithe and I put $9 away for my redcorating projects. I don't have much right now; however, I am looking forward to the day when my start is just a memory and my finish is a healthy bank account.
There are many people who save more and a lot of them are much younger than I am. But honestly, I don't care. I can't measure myself against their success. Again, this is my journey. And although it is difficult and challenging I am encouraged that God is using this situation to bring me closer to him. To teach me to give him complete control and to be humbly obedient. I'm in the finacial valley right now. But one day, folks, I will stand at my economic mountaintop and declare victory! CHA-CHING!
No comments:
Post a Comment