Not Even the Least Expense

Scripture References: Leviticus 25:19-22; 1 Peter 4:1-5

Congress finally voted pay for the soldiers who so faithfully served the nation in the Revolution. Yet, they had no money to give them. What was worse, Congress could offer only certificates that promised three months pay. Most veterans valued the certificates so lightly that they left for home before they were issued.

Truth to tell, our present-day Congress still can’t afford to pay the huge demands made on the U.S. Treasury. Undeterred, Congress simply borrows more. Whatever happened to the simple but effective economic belief that if you don’t have money, you shouldn’t spend it?

Easy plastic money, twenty-four-hour tellers, and home equity credit lines have fueled a runaway consumerism. We buy what we want but don’t need; we pay for pleasures that we can’t afford and don’t appreciate. Then we work like machines at high speed to create income to catch our runaway expenses. Of course, our net income never exceeds our gross habits. We would think Paul’s wise economic philosophy out of touch—being content whatever the circumstances, in need or in plenty. His perspective speaks of a spiritual wealth whatever his financial condition; ours of a spiritual poverty whatever our wealth.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.