| EXTRAVAGANCE |
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Memorise: “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17). Read: Proverbs 21:17-20 |
| “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17). Another bane of poverty in the lives of many Christians is the love of pleasure. If your ability to spend exceeds your earning capacity, it will bring poverty. Some of us are very extravagant. Like king Solomon, whatever their eyes see, they must acquire. “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them. I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). But unlike Solomon, they may not have the resources. The fellow who does not draw a line between wants and needs will be involved in wasteful spending. Usually, people are extravagant because they want to belong. Their motive is to impress someone which contradicts the scriptures. Apart from this, if you spend what you should sow, you will become poor. If you spend what you should save or invest, it will increase your poverty. Some people are carried away with the latest cars and fashion. If they have not purchased the latest wears, they feel out of place. They do not mind going a begging to feed after purchasing such a ‘latest’ item. That is worldliness and it tends to poverty. Your resources require careful planning. They should be utilized to God’s glory. No spontaneous spending should be allowed. “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (Proverbs 23:21). Another cause of poverty is gluttony. A glutton is one whose goal in life is to eat. He is never satisfied with what he is given. He will eat to the point of vomiting. Some Christians will not be at rest until they finish all the food at home. They will eat up what could have lasted a week in one or two days. A drunkard or drug addict will waste his wealth on sustaining his appetite. Proverbs 28:13 says another reason many who hate poverty with a passion can never be delivered from its grip is because they continue to cover up their sins. If you do not repent and expose your sins, prosperity may elude you. God wants you to prosper. You must avoid these agents of poverty. Which of these do you find in your life? Prayerfully expunge them. Be hard on yourself and stick to the proper disposition that can encourage wealth. |
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Also ask for the spirit of prudence to come upon our pastors. |
