Better a meal with vegetables where there is love
than a fatted calf with hatred Proverbs15:17
We are easily afflicted with "Possession Obsession." Many families find themselves estranged and distant because Mom and Dad have worked so hard to maintain a certain lifestyle.
It's easy to overextend ourselves financially (and the banks are very willing to help us do that!) and then be caught up in a frantic attempt to maintain our position. I heard of a young couple who managed to generate debt totalling a million rand before they were 25! Fortunately they had the courage to sell their assets and liquidate the debt - but not everyone does!
The Bible constantly calls us to a simple lifestyle. It takes a lot of courage, but it is the most secure way to raise children. Money problems are a sure way to stress a marriage and alienate children.
Families need time, effort, and commitment to be secure. Money troubles caused by an excessively high standard of living rob the family of the breadwinners' time. It also adds a lot of stress. Make your investments with time, creativity, and love - not with money or status.
The really important things in life are not expensive, but they cost a lot.
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
