February 20, 2012
Today’s Text: Proverbs 6:6-11
Today’s Key Thought: A wise steward of their resources lives life with a plan.

Over the years the budget has become the “dreaded scourge of finances” but a budget is no such thing. A budget is simply telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went. The budget, however, is not something solely used with finances. The idea of the budget should be used in all kinds of life’s arenas (time, relationships, investments, etc.) The Godly wisdom given to King Solomon about budgeting is illustrated in Proverbs 6 with the ant. The littlest of bugs has no boss or teacher yet the ant plans ahead! A wise steward follows God’s wisdom of living life with a plan. As a steward of finances, we need to plan financially. As a wise steward of time, we need to plan how we use it. As a wise steward of relationships, we need to invest time into the right people. Living life for today ensures you will end up like the prodigal son: broke, alone, and a slave. God’s wisdom for how we live our lives says, “Learn from the ant – Live life with a plan!”

Application:

The idea of budgeting needs to be part of how you live your life, whether young or old. Your finances, time, relationships, investments, and so on all need a time you sit down an plan how you will use them. That time of planning needs to be directed by Godly principles and truths. If you have always been afraid or dreaded the idea of budgeting, it’s time to grow in this area. Start this simple planning tool and you will transform your life in a positive way when you learn to use what you have with a plan. And YES…stick to your budgeted plan!