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 So that's kind of a dumb question. I suppose if you asked 100 people on the street, "Would you like a little more money?", 100 people would probably say 'Yes, What's the catch? How do I do it?"
You may not realize that in the book of Proverbs, Solomon mentions the topic of money, wealth or finances in over 100 verses of the book's 915 verses. Or a little more than 11%. (that's in case you need info for a trivial pursuit night) Sunday we're going to cover several ways Solomon lists, but right now as you're reading this let me give you a couple really practical things he would advise. 1) Be a hard worker. He has much to say about how those who are slackers or lazy people are probably going to struggle in this life You can see for yourself in 6:6-11. In 10:4 he just comes out & says it, "Lazy hands make a person poor". You & I want to master good work habits as well as pass them along to our kids. I think the challenge is most lazy people wouldn't consider themselves lazy. On Sunday we're going to look at some ways to identify if someone you know might have a problem in this area. 2) People who are wasteful or not very smart end up with less. Proverbs 21:5 says "Haste leads to poverty". I think what he might be referring to his people who spend their money without thinking about it, or planning accordingly. People who are hoping to get rich by playing the lottery or investing what little they have in risky ventures. Just not demonstrating much forethought gets people in situations that hurt them. 3) Greedy people end up jammed up financially... Seems counterintuitive I know, but folks who are thinking of others using what they have to bless others end up in a better spot financially. Stingy, self-centered people do not end up winning in the end. Proverbs 15:27 says "A greedy man brings trouble to his family". Proverbs 23:4, "Do not wear yourself out trying to get rich but have the wisdom to know when to quit". Proverbs 28:25 says "trusting the Lord leads to prosperity". Where is your confidence when it comes to your financial picture. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Better to go to be hungry than rise in debt." Sunday we'll at how the Lord's wisdom regarding our finances can improve our financial health now and in the future! See Ya Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- If someone you know might benefit from Solomon's help, share this email. Or better yet invite them to join you on Sunday at 9:33am!  I believe all of us want to be liked by others, would like others to think well of us. Some of us go to great links to be found attractive by others. A lot of money is spent on gym memberships, beauty & cosmetics, personal trainers and coaches. All in an effort to be found desirable by other people.
And I'm not suggesting that any of that is wrong or somehow a bad idea. It's just that rarely when you see a fall out in a marriage or relationship, it wasn't because the other person wasn't physically strong enough. Or they had become less attractive. No usually the things that damage our marriages and friendships have to do with things money can't buy. Like being faithful. Or keeping a confidence. Maybe we became more self focused & absorbed and stopped caring about what our spouse needed. We justified on putting ourselves first for a change. We just grew apart, because we stopped wanting to be together. Why does this happen? Solomon said the man who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Good in that we are no longer alone. Good in that we have a partner to walk thru the joys and sorrows of life with. Good in that we find someone who loves us and wants the best for us. The Lord's favor, or goodness, is on the man or woman who finds a partner to share life with. I'm so very grateful for my wife of 38 years now. Her constant encouragement and love for me, for our family, towards her friends and team mates and kids in her world. We spend a lot of time thinking about what we like to see in others. How much time and thought do we put into being the type of person others find attractive. It's just our looks, strength or money? Or does it take more that those to have a meaningful and intimate marriage? An awesome friendship? Join me Sunday as we discover 3 Choices we can make to be a More Attractive Mate. See Ya Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- Don't forget StoneBridge Listens - please return the online survey sent and if you didn't receive the link contact Tori or Gina in the office.  I don't believe any parent intentionally starts off to mess up their kids. Yet it's also true that as we look at society, we see more and more kids doing things that make us scratch our heads and ask why? Disrespect and disobedience to parents and authority top the list. In fact, Paul told Timothy that one of the distinguishing characteristics of a culture that falls away from God is marked by those who are "disobedient to parents" and "without love for others or any sense of self control". (2 Timothy 3:1-2.
How do parents end up with disrespectful and/or disobedient kids. I read an article that listed 4 fairly common ways this happens. Can you identify with any of these? 1) You don't really expect them to listen to you. You treat their doing what you say as optional, so if they don't do it, you don't really want the hassle and you let it go. 2) They've learned to respond to you only when you've lost your cool and are angry and yelling. They reason that now you're finally mad and mean what you say. Until this point, see #1 above. 3) There's no real consequences for not obeying. What are your plans for it they don't follow through. Much of the problem of an entitled people is they see any good reason to do what is asked or expected is because they should only have to do what they want. Kids pick up on this attitude. 4) Similar to # 3, You're inconsistent with your discipline. You might threaten, but there's more bark that bite to your approach and soon enough your kids learns this. (these I adapted from an article True Aim, the Blue Manor Blog) Solomon had much to say about raising good kids. The wisdom and science behind it. On Sunday I'm going to unpack some of these truths in a message Priorities for Parents in Raising Kids Right. I hope You'll be join me either in person or on our Facebook page at 9:33am. See Ya Sunday Friend |
AuthorStonebridge Community Church is a Bible-based non-denominational church located in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. Archives
September 2024
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