Stewardship
We are called to be stewards of all that God has given us29 total reviews
Comment from MissMerri
You are a wise man, Mr. Botts. I enjoyed this essay very much and find myself in complete agreement. I also believe every gift comes from God and as it was in the parable of the talents, those who manage their material blessings well and share with others, will be even more blessed. Paying credit card interest seems like a huge waste of money to me. Thank you for these very wise words. We need to think about these issues.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023
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You are a wise man, Mr. Botts. I enjoyed this essay very much and find myself in complete agreement. I also believe every gift comes from God and as it was in the parable of the talents, those who manage their material blessings well and share with others, will be even more blessed. Paying credit card interest seems like a huge waste of money to me. Thank you for these very wise words. We need to think about these issues.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023
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Hello Adonna,
Thanks so much for the exceptional review and the delightful comments. I wish I could take credit for the wisdom, but I'm just parroting what I've gathered from those much wiser than me. I can say that I've utilized the wisdom and benefited from it greatly. Our grandparents learned to live frugally and only purchased what they needed. I think we're in for some hard times in this country, and it would behoove people to remove as much debt as possible from their lives while they can. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
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I agree with what you said. Debt causes stress and wastes more money than people think. I?m so glad you shared this.
Comment from jacquelyn popp
Great story. Very well written with an important and clear message to readers, and for a lot of people today who are in debt, and or that live frugally. Amen to what you're saying in your post, and I agree that we should, as you say, should all be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. I can relate most people not having a good emergency fund set aside, as things do come up, and can break down. I recently took a Dave Ramsey budgeting/financial planning course through our church. My husband enjoyed the class, and learned great information about savings, and not being in debt. Your post is well organized, insightful, and gives readers much information that is needed. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023
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Great story. Very well written with an important and clear message to readers, and for a lot of people today who are in debt, and or that live frugally. Amen to what you're saying in your post, and I agree that we should, as you say, should all be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. I can relate most people not having a good emergency fund set aside, as things do come up, and can break down. I recently took a Dave Ramsey budgeting/financial planning course through our church. My husband enjoyed the class, and learned great information about savings, and not being in debt. Your post is well organized, insightful, and gives readers much information that is needed. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2023
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Hello jacquelyn,
thanks so much for the wonderful review and comments. When I had Sirius radio on the boat I used to listen to Dave Ramsey. I don't agree with everything that he says, but he does have a lot of wisdom, and it's hard to argue with something that works. Debt is a terrible burden for anyone to bear. Some things you just have to borrow money for, like a house or car, but I found that if you pay extra on the principal of the loan, you can knock the loan down by thousands of dollars in saved interest and years of no more payments. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from lyenochka
Amen, Brother! I think you will find yourself preaching to the choir here. I think most of us have been living frugally so that in our retirement years, we can splurge on Fanstory membership. ð???
Yes, it's alarming how people are encouraged to live in debt. Just look at all those silly ads to buy a new car as a Christmas gift! That's just nutty.
And our stock market has stocks to buy debt. Advanced economic theory is mind-boggling to me.
But we should, as you say, be good stewards and be helpful when God calls a need to our attention. Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Amen, Brother! I think you will find yourself preaching to the choir here. I think most of us have been living frugally so that in our retirement years, we can splurge on Fanstory membership. ð???
Yes, it's alarming how people are encouraged to live in debt. Just look at all those silly ads to buy a new car as a Christmas gift! That's just nutty.
And our stock market has stocks to buy debt. Advanced economic theory is mind-boggling to me.
But we should, as you say, be good stewards and be helpful when God calls a need to our attention. Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello Helen,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments. I suppose you're probably right. I'm afraid for many younger people who seem to keep piling on debt so that they can get the next gadget that comes out. Surprisingly though, there are a few folks our age out there who still have mortgage payments and whatnot. When I paid off our home, it freed up so much more money for other things, or just to save. Lord knows what the future is going to hold, but it will probably come at a cost. Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
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So true. And I think it's biblical to try to save up to leave an inheritance for our kids. Of course, it's all in the Lord's Hands.
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Hi Helen,
I'm hoping that our health stays good enough that we don't have to spend our retirement money on health care. Our folks left Jan and I a small inheritance, and it was a tremendous boost to our finances. I want to do the same for our kids. Of course what they do with it will be up to them. In the interim, I can only hope that they will see the example we're trying to set and will follow suit.
Blessings
Tom
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job, Tom, with your informative
post. It was well-organized and gave readers
much information. Your examples were well-
thought out, too. I agreed with everything you
mentioned. The spending by many, including
our Congress, has gotten waaay out of hand.
Of course, Congress could care less. They use our
money. I liked the references to the way the Bible
stated how to handle $$$$$$$$.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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You did a great job, Tom, with your informative
post. It was well-organized and gave readers
much information. Your examples were well-
thought out, too. I agreed with everything you
mentioned. The spending by many, including
our Congress, has gotten waaay out of hand.
Of course, Congress could care less. They use our
money. I liked the references to the way the Bible
stated how to handle $$$$$$$$.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello Jan,
thanks so much for the thoughtful review. It's amazing that congress can spend what isn't theirs for every frivolous thing that comes along, usually in an attempt to buy some more votes. These are the same people who refuse to discuss term limits and have regularly voted themselves some hefty pay raises, as if they need them. Frankly, the national debt has become a national security issue. If we don't have the funds to operate our military and other necessary functions of government, we're just sitting ducks to those who want to do us harm. Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
Comment from Jay Squires
Very solid. Very practical. If we followed your guidelines, we would be much better off. I have no doubt about that. I only found one thing you might want to have a look at (but probably already have a fix on it):
Obviously, one mans junk is another mans treasure, [both the "mans" here should be possessive: "man's"]
Again, a fine job, TB.
Jay
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Very solid. Very practical. If we followed your guidelines, we would be much better off. I have no doubt about that. I only found one thing you might want to have a look at (but probably already have a fix on it):
Obviously, one mans junk is another mans treasure, [both the "mans" here should be possessive: "man's"]
Again, a fine job, TB.
Jay
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello Jay,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments and for pointing out my error. I wish I could say that I did have a handle on it, but it passed right over my head, like so much else these days. Good eye my friend. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You are preaching to the choir here but doing a very good job of it. We have lived in the same way as you, but people expect us to give them an easy way to pay off their debts. We worked our tails off fixing damaged homes into 7 nice homes in our fifties into our seventies. Tell someone that and they immediately say that's too hard. Most of our kids have learned to live within their means. Keep talking. You're performing a necessary service.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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You are preaching to the choir here but doing a very good job of it. We have lived in the same way as you, but people expect us to give them an easy way to pay off their debts. We worked our tails off fixing damaged homes into 7 nice homes in our fifties into our seventies. Tell someone that and they immediately say that's too hard. Most of our kids have learned to live within their means. Keep talking. You're performing a necessary service.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello Carol,
Thanks so much for the exceptional review and interesting comments. My dad was a contractor and did a fair amount of remodeling homes as well as constructing new ones. Unfortunately, I never picked up his skills. I would think that flipping homes would be so satisfying. I love the idea of taking something run down and making it new again. Recycling at it's finest. I'm not an advocate of enabling anyone, which I believe just giving things away does, but I do believe in giving people a hand when they are down, and especially when it's no fault of their own. How can we attract people to the Lord if we don't show them the compassion that we ourselves have enjoyed? I appreciate you gal. Have a blessed day.
Tom
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We didn't flip them, we rent them and have, a few times, forgiven them rent when they were really trying to make a go of it.
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Ah, thanks for the correction. I'm pleased that you have compassion as well. Some folks just need a helping hand sometimes. I appreciate your kind heart. Your kindness won't go unrewarded. Blessings
Tom
Comment from aryr
Wow, Tom, you really said a mouth full. You are absolutely correct with the statement that "God created the Earth on lone to us", and I agree fully with you. Very well done and greatly enjoyed. Blessings!
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Wow, Tom, you really said a mouth full. You are absolutely correct with the statement that "God created the Earth on lone to us", and I agree fully with you. Very well done and greatly enjoyed. Blessings!
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello aryr,
It's so nice to hear from you. I appreciate the fine review and comments. I fear that I've been guilty of believing that if I worked for it, it was mine, without realizing that the work was a gift, as well as the ability I applied at work and the strength to get up and go to work every day. Sometimes, it's not until disaster strikes that we realize how little we control.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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You are so very welcome, Tom, I enjoyed it.
Comment from w.j.debi
This is a thought-provoking read. I agree with you that we should be good stewards. Living within our means and saving up for those emergencies is wise advice. Taking care of others as we can is what we should do as well.
I can see using a storage facility for a short time while moving, but long term? If you have to go get it, do you need it? Maybe, someone else with less means does so don't hang onto it.
Thanks for sharing your well thought out ideas.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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This is a thought-provoking read. I agree with you that we should be good stewards. Living within our means and saving up for those emergencies is wise advice. Taking care of others as we can is what we should do as well.
I can see using a storage facility for a short time while moving, but long term? If you have to go get it, do you need it? Maybe, someone else with less means does so don't hang onto it.
Thanks for sharing your well thought out ideas.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello w.j.
thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for the fine review. I'm sure most of us have more than we need, and that isn't necessarily wrong, but if we're only working to pay off debt and accumulate more, when is enough, enough? A surprising number of Americans are just one pay check away from disaster. Situations change, jobs are lost, medical bills arrive, children need braces. As good stewards, we should be saving for what is sure to come, and of course, who can sit back and enjoy our lives if our neighbors have suffered a devastating loss? One never knows when we might be in need. Thanks again for commenting. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from BethShelby
I agree with you 100%. I too am dept free. I grew up in time when If you didn't have the cash to pay for it, you didn't get it. It is very liberating to not have a mortgage, nor car payment and if you use a credit card that you can pay it off without allowing it to accumulate any interest. I also believe if we are in a position to help other involved in disasters, it is our duty to do so.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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I agree with you 100%. I too am dept free. I grew up in time when If you didn't have the cash to pay for it, you didn't get it. It is very liberating to not have a mortgage, nor car payment and if you use a credit card that you can pay it off without allowing it to accumulate any interest. I also believe if we are in a position to help other involved in disasters, it is our duty to do so.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello Beth,
thanks so much for your wise comments. So many people are in debt, and it's crippling. Of course, one trip to the hospital can put just about anyone in debt, and some things you just can't plan for, but part of being a wise steward is being prepared for what is to come. Of course, sharing with those in need is an ongoing issue. I've found that the law of sowing and reaping comes in to play when we've been generous to others. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from JT traveller
Good commentary on a capitalistic society where people value possessions more than other humans.
Rather than a garage sale, why not give your unwanted possessions away?
Your final paragraph summed up your story perfectly.
Thankyou for your commentary on a society so entrenched in collecting tangible goods instead of creating and reaching for the intangible, love, friendship, mindfulness.
A great read.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Good commentary on a capitalistic society where people value possessions more than other humans.
Rather than a garage sale, why not give your unwanted possessions away?
Your final paragraph summed up your story perfectly.
Thankyou for your commentary on a society so entrenched in collecting tangible goods instead of creating and reaching for the intangible, love, friendship, mindfulness.
A great read.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello JT,
thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments on this post. As I mentioned, I happen to favor capitalism, as I believe it provides an avenue for more people to attain wealth. I think at issue is what we do with it. In an earlier post about the native Americans, I was enlightened by a book I read that explained that the native culture of old never saw the need to accumulate goods beyond what they could use. They were baffled by the idea that someone could own the land. It was an interesting way of looking at resources. Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Thanks for the explanation Tom. Have a great day too. Jacqueline 😊