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I am sure you heard this old phrase…“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

I don’t know about you, but I like to find ways to save. The reason why I am a fan of saving is because I know that there will be a day that I will need some of that “saved” money for something much needed.  And, If I have a choice to save today for something tomorrow, or to borrow and pay interest, well, I try to save!

Saving is difficult to do.  We have SO many “things” that are competing for our hard earned money.  Not just the necessities of life, but those “wants” and “desires” scream loud and clear!  Those are the items that creep in and “steal” the money that we ought to save, and the reason why is that we have not prioritized saving!

As we begin this discussion, let’s do so by discussing some key passages of Scripture that pertain to savings.

 

Key Passages of Scripture

  • 1 Tim. 5:8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8, ESV)  
    • Provide” in the original greek language has the connotation of an ongoing, long-term provision.
    • “His own household” includes immediate family and extended family (parents and siblings). This would NOT include any form of “enabling” of someone not living right before others and God
    • Denied the faith / worse than an unbeliever…very, very strong words from Paul!
  • Prov. 22:3 and 27:12 – The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. (Proverbs 22:3, ESV)  
    • TWICE in just a few chapters do we see the EXACT same verse shared! 
    • It is important that one is LOOKING for any form of danger, especially financial danger that needs some plan of action to navigate through it!
    • The term “hides himself” has the sense “to prevent something, including oneself, from being seen or discovered.
    • The one is aware of danger and wisely avoids it; the other may see danger but puts forth no effort to avoid it, so he suffers for it.
    • What financial “dangers” are coming your way in the near and far future? LOOK and PLAN so you will not SUFFER for it.
  • Prov. 21:20 – Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. (Proverbs 21:20, ESV)  
    • It is the WISE man, not the RICH man that has savings.
    • The WISE man does not just have treasure and oil, but precious treasure and oil!
    • Prov. 22:7 – the borrower is slave to the lender.
      • Where is the wisdom in becoming a slave because one has not saved?
      • The foolish man “devours it” and has to become a “slave to the lender” because they did not save! In other words, they live paycheck to paycheck.

 

General Saving Advice

Savings can strengthen marriages/families

  • WAY less arguments between spouses, and in front of kids!
  • Focused plan for forward financial action.
  • Allows you to sleep better at night and serve the Lord better in your Church with your time and treasure (you are not always looking around for side jobs!)

Savings prevents debt (if you don’t earn interest, you’ll spend interest)

  • You start planning ahead for large purchases.
  • You start planning ahead for trips and vacations.
  • You start planning ahead yearly purchases/expenses.

Short before Long Savings

  • Emergency Fund.
  • Annual Expense Fund.
  • Use High Yield Savings Account.

Long Term Savings

  • Take advantage of employer match in work sponsored retirement plan.
  • Roth IRA.
  • Why prioritize long-term savings???
    • So you, and/or your spouse can live for 10-20+ years being unemployed?
      • That is what “retirement” is…10-20+ years of being unemployed!

 

Saving needs to be a conviction, not a convenience.

If you’d like to listen to the original episode on Priority #2: Save, click this link.

Next Steps

 

 

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