 | Children, ParentsWhere Does The Money Come From?Posted Monday, April 20th, 2009 and visited 617 times, 1 so far today by MInTheGap |
“From the bank.”
That was the answer that my oldest gave to the question in the title. He knew that we drove up to the bank and that’s where I got the money to pay for things.
Kids notice things that are right in front of them. They see that I go to work everyday—though they (obviously) have not made the connection that I do that so that we can have money to buy things that we need and want.
“God gives it to us,” was the response of the second child
But Doesn’t Everything We Have Come From God?
What an interesting and insightful question. God is the provider of all good things. It is He that provides the job, that arranges the salary, and gave the gifts in the first place to be used for the provision.
He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
So, yes. When we thank the Lord for our food, for our house and for our groceries, we are thanking Him for something He did provide—regardless of whether the money came from savings, salary or blogging. :)
And this must be always first in our minds. If we are to be a thankful person, if we are to look at others as people who we can reach, if we are to live lives that are self-less instead of selfish, and be more kind, we’re going to have to not look at ourselves as the reasons for the things we have.
That is part of the problem that happens when things get tight or do not go our way. If it truly was the fact that we are in total control of our destiny and that we are the only ones for credit for our job, then we have much to fear when we blow it or the economy gets rough. If, instead, it is a gift from God, then we can rest in Him knowing that He will provide our needs.
Does That Mean I Can Just Blow it On Wii Games?
“Don’t you have $50?” was the question my oldest asked when I told him the price of the game that he wanted in the Game Store. Of course I have the money, but I turned around and asked him the same question—does he have the money? Will he work and save for the game?
A lot of us want things handed to us. The government is currently preying on this very thought, handing out other people’s money to just about everyone that sneezes—literally. And yet one could say that since God is in charge of supplying my needs, when I get more than my needs met I can just blow it on anything I want, because God always will meet my needs, right?
Which is where Joseph comes into play. Remember that God told Pharaoh that there would be seven good years and then seven bad years in the land. Joseph’s plan? Save during the seven good years and sell during the seven bad.
God may bless with abundance, but that doesn’t give us the right to go into heavy debt or blow all of our money on things we want. We should be those that plan wisely to use what He has given in an efficient manner.
Again, remember the parables in the New Testament where the master gives to his servants 10, 5, and 1 talents. When he returns, he asks what they’ve done with them, and the one that buried it because he thought that he would make sure to give the master the one back was chastised for not even making interest on it!
What’s The Lesson?
Let’s sum it up in a few bullet points:
- Be thankful and grateful: Maintain a correct perspective on the money you have and where it comes from.
- Be frugal: It’s not wrong to get wants, but you must know what’s important and plan for the rough time.
- Invest: Whether it’s money, time, or in people, our time is short here and it’s important to make an impact
Keep these in mind the next time you find yourself in a conversation about money!
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May 9th, 2009 at 11:12 am Subscribed to Comments
I think of it as God’s bank. Do right and live right, your credit is good, and you can maybe make a withdrawal now and then.
P.S.: Just found the ‘read more’ link that leads to this full post. Never saw those links before now.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Interesting topic. But i have one question If we assume GOD is supplying money then why we cant assume GOD is responsible for spending.
Well its just a thought comes in my mind while reading, Reader dont take it seriously and do more savings :)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:46 am
Sometimes i thought of it… where does it really came from? I am into collecting U.S. coins, and sometimes I ask myself where do these coins and all my money came from? Bank, God? Well, I myself can’t answer it. But I know for sure that all of us came from God and everything follows.