WEATHERING THE FINANCIAL SHAKEUP (2)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Ps 23:1

If you’re in debt and worried about your job: (1) Don’t panic. Turn to the source of all wisdom and read these words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Repeat it to yourself throughout the day. Tape it to your bathroom mirror where you’ll see it first thing each morning. (2) Take inventory. “Know the condition of your flocks [finances]” (Pr 27:23 NIV). Many people don’t know how much they owe or what their expenses are. List your debts and fixed expenses, set a goal to live on what you earn, and put some toward debt reduction. (3) Be disciplined. Head off problems before they arise by conquering the demon of instant gratification. When you don’t know the state of your finances you’re less likely to apply the brakes, and end up spending money you don’t have. (4) Be creative. When God created Paradise He watered it with four different rivers, so start looking for other streams of income. Walt Disney was fired by a big newspaper for lack of ideas. After auditioning him, MGM told Fred Astaire that he couldn’t act and wasn’t much of a dancer. Beethoven’s violin teacher declared him hopeless as a composer! It takes faith to see the opportunities, and courage to overcome the obstacles. (5) Be a giver. Hard times are the wrong time to stop giving to God. During a famine a widow gave what little food she had to God’s servant, Elijah. The result? “There was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family” (1Ki 17:15 NIV). It’s hard to explain rationally, but your giving turns on the tap of God’s supply.

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