God has brought something very serious to my attention. How am I using my (it’s really all His) money? I was skipping along happily through my days and not really regarding my budget. I made it years ago and was sticking to it but the circumstances of daily life have changed and I didn’t. So now I have to rethink and restructure. Is it painful? Yes.
Proverbs 27:23 - 27 Know well the condition of your flocks,and give attention to your herds,for riches do not last forever;and does a crown endure to all generations?When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,the lambs will provide your clothing,and the goats the price of a field.There will be enough goats’ milk for your food,for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.
Applied to me in this modern day; I’m supposed to know the condition of my income. Like the shepherd should know each face of his flock, I’m supposed to know each line item and how much it is costing me. Because, yes, money doesn’t last forever. The writer of proverbs wants us to look ahead when the monthly money (that green grass) is gone. Does new money (new vegetation) replace it? Can I support myself with what is coming in? Can I maintain it for the year? I want the “girls” (whomever is dependent on my income) to be sustained.
Yep, I let this slip up on me. But I’m getting back to taking care of my sheep. It’s not an easy task to change a budget and stick with a new lifestyle. God, however, has so richly blessed us that we are accountable to Him to use our money not only for our household maintenance but also for the advancement of His kingdom on earth. It’s not just my personal sheep but the sheep of the world.
So with a lot of prayer and Holy Spirit intelligence (I’m not good with numbers.) I’m working out next year’s herd of sheep. I will know each fixed little sheep face. And have a better prediction of the variable sheep faces. I’ll even have to be ready for the emergency little sheep that are a bit unexpected.
It’s time to find out:
How are my sheep doing?
