Prayables - Timothy 6:17 - Scripture

Reflection: Spiritual Fulfillment

When questioned about their savings, people always say they don't have enough. Whether it's $100 or $100 million, it's human nature to need more "cash in the bank" in order to feel rich. Yet your heart knows more money doesn't make a person rich. More personal fulfillment is the answer-- and it all begins with God.

You won't find better "financial" advice than the scripture of Timothy 6:17. Don't waste your time and spiritual energy hoping and praying for more money. If your personal finances are greater than your neighbors, don't be smug. Simply be calm, and confident in the generosity of the Lord, and enjoy the provisions you amply receive.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Timothy 6:17

Blog: Wasted Money

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
Proverbs 14:1

This verse has been bouncing around in my head for about a week now. When I first read it, I thought of a former co-worker. Divorced with young sons, she never missed a chance to badmouth her ex.

She also spent a great deal of time bemoaning her boys’ many problems which ranged from stealing money to setting fires. It never crossed her mind that in tearing down their father, she contributed to their destructive behavior.

I was a newlywed when I worked with this woman and had no children of my own, but her example was a strong one. Because of her and her boys, I’ve made a conscious effort to praise my husband and various male friends in front of my son.

But there are so many other ways to tear your house down. Often we women do this by tearing ourselves down. My own personal issue is guilt paired with reluctance to let things go. The worst cases always involve waste – wasted money in particular. You’d think I was a child of the Depression.

I was at my worst after I bought the amazing, and amazingly expensive, apple peeler-corer-slicer- oh-my-gosh-glorious-gizmo that my sisters-in-law had raved about. Fast. Efficient. It made baking pies a snap. More than apple slices, I ended up with apple mush and, between set up and operation, it took forever. I could just as quickly quarter, core, peel and Cuisinart the silly things.

But I had spent so much on that gizmo. I just couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. Every time I opened the kitchen drawer and saw it, I’d experience a fresh wave of guilt. Why couldn’t I get it to work?

Then I realized that this situation wasn’t just affecting me, but my entire household. Whenever I’d try to use the wretched thing, I’d end up snapping and snarling. My son, who loves to cook with me, would get just as frustrated. If I wasn’t destroying my house, I was at least wreaking havoc. Cooking together was supposed to be fun. My guilt and frustration were destroying that. I bundled the whole contraption up and dropped it in a box for the church rummage sale.

Do I miss it? Nope. I gave its space to an immersion blender that I can actually use. My son and I have been making soups, dreamsickle shakes, and yogurt banana smoothies. Not that we’ve given up on apples. We just use the tools at hand to build kitchen memories together.

- Sue Bradford Edwards

Joke: Cooking for Two

dailychuckle Mother Teresa died and went to heaven. God greeted her at the Pearly Gates. "Be thou hungry, Mother Teresa?" asked God.

"I could eat," Mother Teresa replied.

So God opened a can of tuna and reached for a chunk of rye bread and they began to share it. While eating this humble meal, Mother Teresa looked down into Hell and saw the inhabitants devouring huge steaks, lobsters, pheasants, and pastries. Curious, but deeply trusting, she remained quiet.

The next day God again invited her to join him for a meal. Again, it was tuna and rye bread. Once again, Mother Teresa could see the denizens of Hell enjoying lamb, turkey, venison, and delicious desserts. Still she said nothing.

The following day, mealtime arrived and another can of tuna was opened. She couldn't contain herself any longer. Meekly, she asked, "God, I am grateful to be in heaven with you as a reward for the pious, obedient life I led. But here in heaven all I get to eat is tuna and a piece of rye bread and in the Other Place they eat like emperors and kings! I just don't understand it..."

God sighed. "Let's be honest Teresa," He said, "for just two people, it doesn't pay to cook."