Weigh The Cost First

I know several people that are fast draw enthusiasts.  I’m not talking about cowboy style gun-skills of fast draw exploits.  These people are quick to make decisions without weighing, first, the cost of their impulsive buying habits.

As most of us have undoubtedly experienced, bad choices usually end up with bad results.

Another way of mishandling money is allowing oneself to fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes, listening to a person’s spiel and blindly accepting it as gospel without checking them out first.

These hustlers are notorious for scamming people out of their hard-earned money.  Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  An impulsive, natured person is indeed a scammer’s easy target, better referred to as victim.   Here in lies the problem regarding victimization.

To prevent con artists from taking us to the cleaners through deceit and manipulation, we must exercise due diligence, having good judgement in a world of takers to protect our interests and pocketbook.

If you think about it, there are ‘fast talkers’ everywhere trying to get into everyone’s wallet or purse.  A wise man once told me that if a person is bold enough to ask you for something, or ask to do such and such that they have no business asking, you should have the intestinal fortitude (guts) to say no.

I believe in helping people in need, but I also believe in protecting my assets and not allowing anyone to take advantage of me, be-it friend or foe. 

If we find ourselves being backed into a corner as some people know how to do, it is sometimes difficult to say the word ‘no’, but these are the times we must exercise good sense and muster up the courage to “make like a tree and leave.”

Making quick, uninformed decisions without thinking through the pros and cons can cause heartache later.  It is disheartening to say to oneself, after the fact, “If I had only taken time to become more aware.”

Bad choices not only affect us personally, but those around us.  It is possible for them to be influenced, negatively, by decisions made in haste without any forethought of the consequences that may lie ahead.  With any decision, it is good practice to weigh the cost first before acting on desire or unchecked emotions.

(Luke 14:28), “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—”

God gave us a sound mind to make right choices rather than getting caught up in the moment and making wrong choices.  It is wise to take time and consider the source of so-called “good deals” to not be taken advantage of by shysters, or to not fall into the trap of an unfiltered impulse to buy, because of the ‘want’ syndrome.

It is unwise to override good judgment merely because of wanting something.  If anyone overextends their resources to acquire things they could do without, this behavior lacks good sense.  Common sense is a wonderful gift from God if people would only use it.

Times have changed since my dad’s day when he watched the pennies and hoped that the dollars, though few, would take care of themselves.  People of today depend on plastic money more-so than the green stuff.

It is easier to get into debt than ever before, because of credit card indulgence.  Dad would never buy anything unless he had the cash to pay for it.  He was one of the many Americans that struggled through the Great Depression (1929-1941).

Raising and supporting his dependent family was very hard.  Those years were certainly challenging, but it seems that today’s lifestyle is not as troubling.  No doubt this statement depends on which prospective a person views it, and which side of the coin comes up.

I have observed people, that if they want ‘it’ they just buy ‘it’ regardless of affordability.  Indebtedness is quite common in this land of plenty, as people try to keep up with the Jones family next door or the Smiths down the street.   

The temptation to satisfy one’s itch to ‘have’ is as great today as it ever was.  The difference I see are those that indulge and get caught up in the blind desire of wanting ‘stuff’ which can put a strain on most people and marriages, causing unnecessary angst.  This willful activity only adds to everyday challenges.  Adding one more pressure point can drain a person’s peace of mind as they endeavor to make ends meet.

When deciding on which direction to take when spending money, it behooves a person to exercise self-control and sound thinking.  I do not love money, but it takes money to survive; that’s why we need to be frugal to save more and spend less.

My wife and I discuss most financial expenditures that God blessed us with before we purchase.  I believe there is safety in counsel and talking things out helps in decision making.

Experience has taught me that I can do more with 90% of my income than a full 100%.  God’s Word says that if we give, it will begiven to us.

(Luke 6:38), “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

People cannot outgive God when they practice the following scriptures.

(Proverbs 3:9-10), “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” (vs 10) “So your barns will be filled with plenty…”

I do not give to get, but it goes without saying that the promise of God is just that, a promise that He always keeps.

(Psalm 37:25), “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

I faithfully tithe on my income (10%) every month and support certain organizations that extend helping hands to those less fortunate.  God has been faithful in giving my wife and me the desires of our heart, while supplying our every need according to His riches in glory.

A person cannot find a better investment program to put their money in than giving 10% of their earnings to God’s work.  The dividends are bountiful and overwhelming.  This act of obedience is a sure thing that produces positive results, not like some half-baked proposals that a person can get sucked into.

God’s faithfulness is not in the same category as fluctuating interest rates, stock market ups and downs, inflation with its uncertainties, employment, health, finances, economy, cost of living, and a myriad of other flexible, uncertain entities.  God’s children can count on Him in the good times and challenging times.

We need to shake ourselves and get back to the basics of saving money vs. spending it; to lay in store for a rainy day.  We need to discipline ourselves to not make foolish choices to scratch the itch of ‘want’.  We will then experience the pure joy and harmony that God desires for us.

If a person finds that they are in a hole of despair, which was caused by indebtedness, they need to stop digging, find a way out, and throw away the shovel-of-bad-choices.  Wise choices prevent a backlash of unsolicited anxiety.

Deciding if something is expedient to buy or just a passing fancy to scratch the itch of desire is hard to make at times.  When people choose wisely and weigh the cost first, positive results will then come their way.

We should not be hasty with our decisions; we need to give real thought before making them.  A good practice is this: pray and sincerely ask God for guidance.  He will hear and answer from heaven.

(Matthew 7:7-8), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (vs 8) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd