14 Truths About Handling Your Money

 In Luke 16:10-12, following the parable of the unjust steward, Yeshua/Jesus told us,

10 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

11 “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

There are at least two things we can conclude from this statement. First, we must love, obey, and be faithful to our Creator in all things, no matter how big or how small. Secondly, we must not waste our Master’s goods, but be good stewards of the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

In a previous blog post, we examined how to be good stewards of the physical bodies and health that God has blessed us with. In this one, let’s examine the specific topic of Jesus’ statement: money. How can we be good stewards of the money and physical possessions He has given us?

Mind you, this is not a “how to get rich” post. God has never promised that all His people would be wealthy. Many have been — Abraham, Job, and David come to mind — but many others haven’t. Of the prophets of old, we read, “They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented — of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (Heb. 11:37-38). Even Jesus Christ — though Lord of heaven and earth, though Possessor and Creator of all things — lived as those men had: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Mat. 8:20; Luke 9:58).

There’s nothing wrong with riches, but they aren’t our purpose in this life. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9-10). Instead, we ought to adopt the outlook of the apostle Paul: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).

Nevertheless, there’s great wisdom in ALL our Creator’s instructions and, if we heed them, we will be much wiser in our finances and all other matters! In every facet of life, disregarding our Creator’s instructions will lead only to ruin, but obeying them will bring blessings.

1. Work Hard and Do Your Best

The most basic, foundational principle of success is to work hard. Whatever the endeavor might be, one must do the work. God is the source of all blessings — “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (Jam. 1:17) — but He won’t bless the lazy!

To overcome sin requires not only the Holy Spirit, but also hard work. To understand God’s Word requires not only His Spirit, but also diligent study — that is, work! To master the guitar, one must work. To succeed at basketball, one must work. And to avoid poverty, one must work!

God inspired Solomon to write again and again about hard work. Here are a few examples. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10). “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Prov. 10:4). “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor” (Prov. 12:24). “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Prov. 13:4).

In case anyone didn’t get the point or didn’t take it seriously, the apostle Paul put it more bluntly:

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (2 Thes. 3:10-12.)

God doesn’t tolerate freeloaders! A man who refuses to work cannot provide for his family. And of a man who doesn’t provide for his family, when he’s quite capable of doing so, Paul wrote, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).

On the other hand, the man who works hard will excel in his work. And the man who excels in his work, God will bless. “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men” (Prov. 22:29).

The life of Joseph beautifully illustrates this for us. When sold into Egypt as a slave, he didn’t do the bare minimum. He worked hard, God blessed him, and his master promoted him. Here’s Gen. 39:2-6:

2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.

4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.

5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

Notice that God blessed all that Joseph DID. Joseph had to DO something, he had to work, in order for God to bless him.

This work ethic never left him. After being falsely accused and thrown into prison, he continued to work and got promoted, even in prison. “The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper” (Gen. 39:23). And when he was ultimately given authority over all of Egypt, Joseph’s hard work and diligent preparations for the famine saved untold lives, perhaps millions. 

Now, throughout most of human history, men worked sunrise to sunset. Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard describes the first group of laborers toiling from “early in the morning” until about sunset at the twelfth hour (Mat. 20:1-16). That’s a 12-hour day (John 11:9), perhaps more! Farmers during harvest season, the busiest season of the year, might sometimes even work from dawn until well after nightfall, toiling by the light of the “harvest moon.”

The eight-hour work day is a modern development, a convenience brought about by machines replacing much of the physical labor previously required for survival. It’s a welcome development, mind you, but we’ve grown so accustomed to it that we often forget just how much God has blessed us. For a man to support his family by putting in a 40-hour work week, and even adding some overtime hours now and then if needed, is no burden; it’s a spectacular blessing!

That being said, there’s always a balance to maintain. Working hard to put food on the table is commendable. Working long hours and neglecting one’s family in the pursuit of earthly riches is greedy and wretched. Solomon wrote, “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Prov. 23:4-5).

2. Start With the Basics

After earning money, one must decide how to use it. How can one best cover the basic necessities of life and still leave enough for other things? Here we come to the fine art of budgeting. Most people in the industrialized world who struggle to make ends meet simply don’t make or stick to a budget.

Let’s return to 1 Tim. 6, where we read a little earlier. Here are verses 6-10: 

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” These are the most basic necessities of life. To these, we might add shelter. But it is with these most basic necessities that we must start budgeting. Food, clothing, and shelter.

We need food, but we do not need fine food. Beans, rice, and vegetables are both nutritious and budget-friendly. We don’t need steak, lamb, or salmon. In their place, chicken, turkey, or ground beef will suffice. We don’t need pre-made dinners or cooking mixes; cooking from scratch is both healthier and cheaper.

The same applies to clothing and shelter. We need clothing, but we don’t need expensive clothing. We need shelter, but we don’t need large, expensive houses.

We don’t need fine clothing, jewelry, cable TV, Starbucks, fine dining, fast food, or any other form of restaurant dining. We don’t need brand new cars or trucks. We don’t need professional hairstyling. Women don’t need makeup or manicures. Our children don’t need the latest clothing fashions or the latest toys. They don’t need hundreds or even dozens of toys. 

None of these things are necessities. They might be nice to have if we can afford them, but they aren’t necessities. No one has yet died from lacking any of these things.

We do not need these things. We do not deserve these things. We are not owed these things. God does not owe us these things, the taxpayers do not owe us these things, no one owes us these things!

So when we put basic necessities first on the budget, we can often eliminate many things if necessary. And we will often find that, suddenly, that paycheck can stretch a whole lot further than we ever imagined!

3. Store Up For Hard Times

Having provided for all the basic necessities, the next priority is to prepare for emergencies and hard times. This can take several forms, from saving up money to storing up canned food or other items one might need in an emergency.

According to surveys, most Americans don’t even have $1,000 in the bank to draw upon in case of emergency! If faced with major house or car repairs, they would have to go into debt. Or further into debt, as the case may be. Likewise, many people have nearly-empty refrigerators and pantries. If unable to go grocery shopping, they wouldn’t have enough food to last a week!

Over and over again, Scripture warns us to prepare for hard times. Throughout Scripture, and throughout past generations, people stored up food from the harvest to carry them through the winter.

Let’s look at several passages from the Book of Proverbs. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer” (Prov. 30:25). “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame” (Prov. 10:5). “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest” (Prov. 6:6-8).

Of the famed “Proverbs 31 Woman,” we read, “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet” (Prov. 31:21). In other words, she knew that harder times were coming, that winter was coming, and prepared accordingly! As we also read, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prov. 22:3; 27:12).

In this regard, Joseph is one of the finest examples in all of Scripture. Warned by God that a devastating seven-year famine was coming, he began to store up grain throughout the land of Egypt, far more than one might normally store up for a winter. Enough for seven years without crops! And because of Joseph’s preparation, he saved not only the lives of all the Egyptians, but also those of his father and brothers and their families, and those of countless surrounding peoples. As the people gratefully told him at the end of the famine, “You have saved our lives” (Gen. 47:25).

4. Try to Avoid Debt

Many people today are drowning in debt. Debt of all kinds. Credit card debt, personal loans, student loans, car payments, you name it. Now, not all debt is necessarily bad; real estate mortgages and small business loans can improve one’s financial state if used wisely and carefully. But the biggest reason for most debt is simply that people don’t live within their means. They want more stuff and they buy more stuff than they can afford. It takes us back to budgeting.

Again, God has our ultimate good in mind when He warns us about the evils of debt. When He was about to bring Israel into the Promised Land, He said, “For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you” (Deut. 15:6). But if the Israelites disobeyed Him, God warned that they would borrow instead of lending (Deut. 28:44). As Prov. 22:7 points out, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Now if borrowing is a curse, and if debt makes one a slave, then we ought to apply the apostle Paul’s warning: “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Cor. 7:23). If one cannot afford to go to college without student loans, then it might be wiser to explore other options, such as working for awhile to store up funds, and/or finding a cheaper college, or simply choosing a different career path. If one cannot afford to buy a brand new, $60,000 pickup truck without a loan, then it would almost certainly be wiser to buy a used one instead.

As noted already, there are some circumstances where a loan can be used to improve one’s financial state. However, most debt is to be avoided. It’s an anchor around your neck and shackles around your feet!

If we are in debt, our goal should be to get out: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:8). We should pay what we owe as speedily as possible: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you” (Prov. 3:27-28).

5. Don’t Be Surety For Others

In Proverbs 6, we find this dire warning:

1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.

3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend.

4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.

5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

This is a natural continuation of the previous point, namely that we shouldn’t put ourselves in bondage to others. Don’t put up your property as collateral for someone else’s loan, or take out a loan so that you can give it to a friend. Don’t put yourself on the hook for someone else’s decisions!

Proverbs contains several more warnings about being surety for others. Here’s Prov. 11:15: “He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure.” Again, in Prov. 17:18, “A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.” And one more, Prov. 22:26: “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?”

6. Try to Live Peaceably

Yeshua/Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mat. 5:9). The apostle Paul added, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18).

In fact, Paul went further. He chided the Corinthians,

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

Paul’s words echoed Jesus’ own statements. “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also” (Mat. 5:39-40). It’s better to overlook an insult, such as a slap in the face, than to escalate the matter into a brawl.

As with the rest of God’s Word, these instructions are for our good. Failure to heed them can lead to financial ruin and many other unpleasant consequences. Yeshua explained, “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (Mat. 5:25-26).

There’s precious little justice in this world’s courts, and it’s foolish to expect any. Protracted legal battles serve little purpose except to enrich the attorneys and impoverish the parties involved. Some families have spent years, even decades, fighting over inheritances, each heir battling for a bigger share. Were any of their causes truly just? Did it matter? Nothing was accomplished by the court battles, and everyone would have been far better off to walk away and let things be. Fighting perceived injustice cost them far more than simply accepting it and moving on with life.

7. Be Generous

Most of the points we’ve looked at so far have been common sense. Work hard, save money, live within your means, and live peaceably. A child could see the wisdom in these things. In fact, these are things that past generations were taught from childhood.

This one, however, may seem somewhat counterintuitive. One of the most important financial principles in the Bible is generosity. As Eccl. 11:1-2 tells us, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth.”

Though saving money is wise, being a miser and clutching every penny is foolish and greedy. Sharing our blessings with others, as we’re able, will bring more blessings. Giving away money will bring more in. God’s Word tells us so over and over again!

In the first 18 verses of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul reminded God’s people to support those who preach the gospel. Vv. 11 and 13-14 tell us, “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”

Again, in 1 Tim. 5:17-18, Paul wrote, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”

In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to support the priests and Levites with tithes and offerings, for He gave the priests and Levites no inheritance among the people. As we read in Num. 18:20, “Then the LORD said to Aaron: ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.’” Mal. 2:7 elaborates, “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”

And what did God say He would do for the Israelites if they supported the priests and Levites as He commanded? I think we’re all familiar with it; we’ve all heard it many times. But here it is: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10). Again, Prov. 3:9-10 tells us, “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Now, please understand that I’m not trying to guilt-trip anyone into giving more money to his or her church or congregation, nor am I implying that doing so will bring riches raining down from heaven. I’m well aware that many wicked men have abused these verses to enrich themselves at the expense of God’s people, and they will answer for it before the throne of God. The point is simply that God’s people should be generous and not stingy in bearing the expense of preaching His truth.

Likewise, we, as God’s people, must also be generous in helping the poor among us. Here’s Deut. 15:7-10: 

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,

8 “but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

9 “Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.

10 “You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.

Notice that, once again, God will bless those who share His blessings with others. King Solomon wrote, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given” (Prov. 19:17).

Scripture speaks of being greedy and miserly as having an “evil eye.” As we read above, “Beware lest… your eye be evil against your poor brother.” Contrasted with the evil eye is the generous eye: “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor” (Prov. 22:9). But what of the man who greedily clings to every penny and refuses to help anyone else? He will lose the blessings God has given him: “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him” (Prov. 28:22).

Nevertheless, we must use wisdom in helping others. Giving money to a lazy person who won’t work to support himself and his family is neither wise nor helpful. It’s merely coddling and indulging his sin. Remember what the Scripture says: “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). God never established a welfare state among His people. Laziness is not to be rewarded!

Again, in 1 Tim. 5, Paul urged wise judgment in helping others, even widows. He instructed Timothy, “Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God” (1 Tim. 5:3-4). He urged that the congregation support only widows above the age of sixty, who were truly alone and had no other means of support (vv. 9, 16). But supporting younger, able-bodied widows would be counterproductive: “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (vv. 13-14).

Finally, remember that being generous means we share the blessings God has given us. We share what we have, not what we don't have. Taking out a loan to give money to your church or someone else would be foolish. Giving your family’s grocery money to someone else instead of feeding your family would be foolish.

Instead, “you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you” (Deut. 16:10). And the apostle Paul, when collecting donations for the brethren in Jerusalem, wrote, “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Cor. 16:2).

8. Invest in Things of Value

After having provided for the basics and saved up for hard times, the next step is to invest in things of value. Preferably, things that will bring a return on your investment, and will improve your financial state over time.

Of the Proverbs 31 woman, we read, “She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard” (Prov. 31:16). Notice that she didn’t spend money on a purple robe, a gold necklace, a more luxurious chariot, or any other frivolous things. No, she spent money on a field and a vineyard — things that would bring in more revenue than she spent on them.

In Jesus’ parable of the talents, He described a landowner, just before leaving on a journey, committing some of his wealth to his servants. “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability” (Mat. 25:15).

And what did he expect them to do with it? Did he expect them to sit on it and hold it for his return? Did he expect them to spend it on frivolity? No; in fact, he was very angry with the servant who buried the money and returned it to him in full! On the contrary, he expected them to trade with his money and earn more. “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also” (Mat. 25:16-17). With these servants, he was well pleased, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (vv. 21, 23).

The lesson of Jesus’ parable, of course, is spiritual. Nevertheless, it’s based on sound financial principles. If we have the resources to do so, it’s wise to invest in assets that will bring in more revenue than we spend on them. 

9. Plan Carefully

Prov. 21:5 tells us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Again, we read, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Prov. 14:15).

Again, using earthly examples to illustrate spiritual principles, Jesus said,

28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

29 “lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

30 “saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

31 “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

32 “Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.” (Luke 14:28-32.)

It ought to be obvious that making a major decision without thinking it through and analyzing it first is foolish, and yet we humans so often do it! We often make emotional decisions. But that doesn’t make it any less foolish.

Buying a piece of land without inspecting it first is a recipe for disaster. Loaning a friend money for his new business without considering his business plan is foolish. Selling your home and moving to another country without having a job or any real plan is not wise.

Oftentimes, too, people who are trying to take advantage of you, from pushy salesmen to dodgy relatives, will try to pressure you, guilt-trip you, and hustle you into making a hasty decision. They fear that, if you have time to think things over, you will say no. In such cases, it’s often wise to simply say, “If you need an answer right now, the answer is no.”

When making a major decision, financial or otherwise, think about it first! Ask for advice. Weigh the options. Pray about it and search the Scriptures. Do the math.

10. Work Without Worry

Sometimes, people avoid making long term plans for fear of the future. Life seems so uncertain. Why plan for the future instead of simply enjoying life today? “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (Isa. 22:13).

In the months leading up to the year 2000, many professing Christians got swept up in the hype about Y2K and concluded that the “rapture” was imminent. They quit their jobs, ran up credit card debt, and generally resolved to live “the good life” until being raptured away into the heavens. Because they fancied the end of the world looming on the horizon, they abandoned all common sense and financial responsibility. Well, Y2K came and went without incident, and suddenly all those folks found themselves unemployed and drowning in debt!

But not all examples are so extreme. For the past many decades, there’s been much speculation among God’s people about the date of Christ’s return. In the early days of World War II, when the Axis Powers seemed unstoppable, many supposed the Great Tribulation was about to begin. Next, some began to teach that the tribulation would begin in 1972 and Christ would return in 1975. After this, some supposed that the breakup of the Soviet Union from 1989-1991 and the liberation of eastern Europe would lead to a new European superstate and usher in the antichrist. Today, many speculate that 2030 will be the year Christ returns, as it is 2,000 years since His crucifixion. And there have been countless other dates as well. As each supposed date of Christ’s return comes and goes, someone sets a new one to speculate about, always a few years away. Always on the horizon.

One day, the Great Tribulation will indeed come upon the earth. And one day, Jesus Christ will indeed return to slay His enemies and set up His Kingdom on this earth. But at this point in time, we do not know when that will be!

Now, there’s nothing wrong with speculation, per se. I, too, have my theories, and we all long for the return of our Messiah, or at least we ought to. The problem is, too many people make plans — or refuse to make plans — based on supposing that the end of the world is near. Why save money to live on in old age? Surely, Jesus will return before I ever get old! Why get married and start a family? The tribulation is near! Why buy land or build a house? Why make any long-term investments? Why not just make the most of these next three years until we think the tribulation will start?

Such thinking is foolish. Thinking ahead and making long-term plans will bring no regrets. If Jesus Christ returns within the next few years, you will not be kicking yourself for getting married and starting a family, for starting a retirement fund, or for beginning work on a house. But if His return is further in the distance than we expect, you may very well regret NOT doing those things! You have nothing to lose by planning ahead, and much to lose if you don’t.

As King Solomon wrote, “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” (Eccl. 11:4). Again, Prov. 22:13 tells us, “The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!’”

In other words, stop worrying. Go about your business, think ahead, and make plans. If future events render your efforts meaningless, so be it. If not, then you will reap the rewards of your labor. As God told His people during their exile in Babylon, “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters — that you may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jer. 29:5-6).

11. Be Diligent and Diversify Your Efforts

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” the old saying goes. This happens to be a Scriptural principle as well, and it goes hand in hand with another: don’t just do the bare minimum. Do more than you think will be necessary. Give yourself some margin for error.

Eccl. 11:6 admonishes, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Likewise, in Prov. 27:23-27, we find,

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

26 The lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field;

27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household, and the nourishment of your maidservants.

If the farmer in question tended only to his crops and neglected his flocks, he would have no clothing or milk. If he tended only to his flocks and neglected his crops, he would have no bread for his household nor any grain to feed his flocks during the winter.

There are other ways to apply this, too. Don’t just do the bare minimum at work, in school, in your marriage, or in any other capacity. Go above and beyond. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10). And this applies, above all, to our spiritual lives as well. Don’t just do the bare minimum in Bible study, prayer, and obeying your Creator; give it your all!

12. Remember the Hard Times

Life is full of both blessings and hardship. Whenever we have abundance, we shouldn’t suppose that it will last forever. We shouldn’t forget how to live with little but the clothes on our backs. Nor should we forget to store up for the hard times as we’re able.

Solomon wrote, “Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; but if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity” (Eccl. 11:7-8).

Or, as the apostle Paul put it, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:12). No matter what he was going through, Paul kept his focus on what truly mattered: his relationship with His Creator. And because he treasured God’s truth and His Kingdom above all else, he could handle, and even rejoice in, both abundance and poverty.

13. Monitor Everything

We read this one already, but I’d like to read it again and focus on a different aspect: “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations” (Prov. 27:23-24). “Be diligent to know.” Monitor everything you have.

If you have a car, be sure to check the oil and the fluids regularly. If you have a house, inspect it regularly to make sure you don’t have any pipe leaks, holes in your roof, or spreading cracks in your foundation. If you have a credit card, monitor your statements to ensure that no one is running up fraudulent charges on it. Performing regular checkups and maintenance on your property can prevent minor problems from growing into major disasters.

14. Be Thankful

In closing, I’d like to return to the words of the apostle Paul: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13).

God has promised no one a life of ease and wealth. We will have hardships in this life. No matter the hardship, and no matter whether we have little or much, we can and should be thankful that God has provided for all our needs and much more! When locked in prison and bound with chains, Paul and Silas responded by “praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). As others have observed, thankfulness is a state of mind, not a state of being.

And regardless of whether we have little or much in this life, God’s Word gives us wise principles for handling what we do have. Let us therefore be wise stewards of whatever He has given us!

Thoughts? Additions? Disagreements? Let me know in the comments below!