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How do I not feel trapped and angry about not having
enough money?
This is an interesting concept. It is a common one and very
understandable. In reality, however, it is the wrong perspective.
Usually, when we feel trapped, it is the result of an error in
stewardship. In question 4, we discussed the fact that God cares for
firstfruits. Clearly He does not want us feeling trapped or angry about
not having enough money. He wants us to have enough money.
Here are the possible reasons for feeling trapped?
1] Lack of obedience.
2] Lack of knowledge and understanding regarding stewardship, money and
finances.
3] Error in stewardship.
Feeling trapped and angry is much like being worried. Worry does not
have a plan. We are to trade worry for concern. Concern has a plan.
Worry only has pain. See my
sermon on worry. A person feeling trapped or angry about not having
enough money is a person without a plan. Indeed, he is surely worried
too. Therefore, create a plan.
First, begin with the list of possible reasons.
1] Examine yourself and pray to God to
discover if there is a problem with obedience
Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.
Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Psalm 7:9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the
just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Psalm 17:3
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou
hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall
not transgress.
Job 13:23
How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression
and my sin.
2] Gain knowledge and understanding
---become a student of stewardship regarding your finances.
---simplify
your life.
---create
free space in your budget and finances.
---tithe.
---create a savings.
---create an emergency fund.
---get out of debt.
---get education or training.
---look for every opportunity for a better job or source of income.
3] Look for the error in stewardship
---where is the money going? Keep a money diary
that records where every penny goes for 30 days.
---eliminate the leakage; the wasteful spending.
---incorporate the missing elements of
stewardship you discovered in step 2 above.
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