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!
Study the Scriptures with Ben Jennings 
i kinda have been a little afraid of budgeting because i don’t want to get confused and then get upset and then stressed out.but im definitely gonna get better at it and grow in that area.i really like the ant example.we may be really small,we need to be wise stewards and plan ahead like the ant does.we definitely need to learn from the ant.great devotion today pastor ben! 🙂 hope u guys have a great day off! 🙂 loveu guys! 🙂
I don’t really have a bugdeted plan but I do have ‘the 3 bowls plan!!!’ lol it’s where u have one bowl for saving, one bowl for giving and another bowl for spending. This is how I plan to save spend and give my money. And it’s been working.. Until I forget…
but pretty much all the time it’s working on me! 😉 have a great Monday u guys!
This is a timely devotional for me considering I just started the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class two weeks ago. I am just starting to realize how important a budget really is. Sadly, we have not been good about telling our money where to go. I really encourage you young people to learn this lesson now and apply it. You will never regret it. I wish we had been better about our money. But with that being said, it is never too late to get on the right financial road and that is what we are trying to do.