Stewardship
We are called to be stewards of all that God has given us29 total reviews
Comment from Liz O'Neill
I see your post, not as a preaching venue, but as a reminder for a lot of things like thanksgiving is a day to be thankful and valentine's Day is a a day to be loving and caring. So you are posting is a reminder of us to be conscious as Ekhart Tolle would say. It is when we are unconscious that we are doing all this senseless spending and using and wasting and disregarding. And being ungrateful. Good subject.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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I see your post, not as a preaching venue, but as a reminder for a lot of things like thanksgiving is a day to be thankful and valentine's Day is a a day to be loving and caring. So you are posting is a reminder of us to be conscious as Ekhart Tolle would say. It is when we are unconscious that we are doing all this senseless spending and using and wasting and disregarding. And being ungrateful. Good subject.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2024
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Hello Liz,
Thanks so much for the thoughtful review gal. It's been awhile since I posted it, so I went back and read it again. Being in debt can cause a lot of stress, and a general feeling of hopelessness. Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our control, and debt is the end result, but all too often we get ourselves into a pickle because we want more things than we can afford or need.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
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A very good point
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Nice feeling to be debt free.
"Fan Story" should be FanStory.
Paragraph 2 a never-ending and vicious cycle, isn't it?
So true "a slave to the lender" designed to seldom pay off that debt.
"Fort Meyers Florida" should be Fort Meyers, Florida.
That is the key "what you spend" and not exceeding your capabilities.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Nice feeling to be debt free.
"Fan Story" should be FanStory.
Paragraph 2 a never-ending and vicious cycle, isn't it?
So true "a slave to the lender" designed to seldom pay off that debt.
"Fort Meyers Florida" should be Fort Meyers, Florida.
That is the key "what you spend" and not exceeding your capabilities.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Hi Brett,
Thanks for the fine review. We all have a choice about how we're going to live our lives. I'm all for that until I get saddled having to pay for someone else's choices. We're facing that now with the president wanting to have student loan debt forgiven. It's absolutely unfair to all those who paid their debt, and sets a precedence for anyone who can justify not paying what they owe. A recipe for disaster. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Susan Newell
Tom,
This is a fantastic piece of writing. It is all so true. We have accumulated way too much stuff, not for stuff's sake, but because it was useful at one time or another, or a gift, or too good to throw out. Life hands out many surprises, but certain principles never change. What you tithe in wealth or in service to others, even if it's just a bit of empathy, is usually returned to you tenfold. Those who grasp and never let go soon find themselves in a collapsing spiral to the bottom.
Truly great piece.
Sue
disregard the principals of good stewardship ==> principles
The Dead Sea is dead because it has no outlet. -- Wonderful analogy!
He said, "it's not ==> It's
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2023
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Tom,
This is a fantastic piece of writing. It is all so true. We have accumulated way too much stuff, not for stuff's sake, but because it was useful at one time or another, or a gift, or too good to throw out. Life hands out many surprises, but certain principles never change. What you tithe in wealth or in service to others, even if it's just a bit of empathy, is usually returned to you tenfold. Those who grasp and never let go soon find themselves in a collapsing spiral to the bottom.
Truly great piece.
Sue
disregard the principals of good stewardship ==> principles
The Dead Sea is dead because it has no outlet. -- Wonderful analogy!
He said, "it's not ==> It's
Comment Written 26-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2023
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Hello Sue,
How very nice to hear from you! I hope that you and your husband are both doing well. I know that there was some issues with health compounded by some house issues if I recall correctly. Thanks so much for the great review and encouraging words. You're right, if we hold on tight to something, it never has an opportunity to grow. God wants to use us as his representatives here on earth, and as we all know, He is generous beyond belief. He's set us a great example. We can never out give God. Have a blessed day my friend.
Tom
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You are welcome, Tom. House issues continue, but hopefully will improve. Health is stable and I guess that's all we can ask for. I think we need to be reminded that everything belongs to God and is only on loan to us. That's easy to forget. I could get into some deep theological thoughts about how He put an end to ALL sacrifices because all those things sent to him as "gifts" already belonged to him.
Blessings,
Sue
Comment from Jamison Brown
Great story, T B. Very accurate description of the stranglehold of debt. You nailed it! This is well written and provides a potent message with real examples. We should all read this daily... Thanks for saying what needs to be said. - Jamison
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2023
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Great story, T B. Very accurate description of the stranglehold of debt. You nailed it! This is well written and provides a potent message with real examples. We should all read this daily... Thanks for saying what needs to be said. - Jamison
Comment Written 23-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2023
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Hello Jamison,
thanks so much for the generous review and comments. It's so easy to fall into debt. We're constantly told we need this or that. Unfortunately, medical debt has become a real issue in this country. However, there is a charitable organization called RIP Medical debt that buys debt from hospitals ect. and pays off what people owe. Of course they can only purchase so much, but it's good to know that an organization is out there like that. In too many cases though, we've put ourselves into a bad spot. I encourage everyone to pay off their credit cards every month, and to pay off their mortgage as soon as possible. If you pay just $100.00 a month extra on the principal of the loan, you can knock tens of thousands of dollars in interest off a loan and pay it off quicker.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Tom,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your essay. And your essay definitely resonated with me.
This paragraph stood out for me:
"We have a problem in this country. It's a spending problem. We want more than we can afford, so we get a loan and pay the bankers ridiculous fees, which they use to buy themselves bigger houses, nicer cars or better vacations."
Here in Traverse City, new builds are continuously sporting three-car garages with an area set aside for "toys." The garages look bigger than the new homes.
And social media doesn't help matters when readers are daily bombarded with "Keeping up with the Joneses!"
Two small nits:
*The bible (Bible) mentions ...
*I'm just saying lets (let's) be good stewards
Thank you for sharing.
My all-time favorite essay of yours.
diane
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Hello, Tom,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your essay. And your essay definitely resonated with me.
This paragraph stood out for me:
"We have a problem in this country. It's a spending problem. We want more than we can afford, so we get a loan and pay the bankers ridiculous fees, which they use to buy themselves bigger houses, nicer cars or better vacations."
Here in Traverse City, new builds are continuously sporting three-car garages with an area set aside for "toys." The garages look bigger than the new homes.
And social media doesn't help matters when readers are daily bombarded with "Keeping up with the Joneses!"
Two small nits:
*The bible (Bible) mentions ...
*I'm just saying lets (let's) be good stewards
Thank you for sharing.
My all-time favorite essay of yours.
diane
Comment Written 23-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Hello Diane,
thanks so much for your generous review, and for catching those mistakes. We have one or two areas here that are storage facilities just for RV's. I'm a bit amazed at the amount of disposable income that some folks have, if indeed they own all that they have outright. If you have a loan on it, it's not really yours, it's the banks. I'm just happy that God has blessed us with all that we need and then some. I fear that there is going to be something that will come up and people will be caught off-guard and unable to pay for all that they owe. Financial situations change, sometimes very quickly. It's best to be prepared. Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Ric Myworld
Yes, sir, you've offered up a mighty fine post that can be helpful to many who will heed your advice. I, like you, don't owe anyone a dime, but it took many years of working day and night until I figured it all out. LOL. I stopped carrying much cash, since it's easier to pull out and spend. I now pay for most everything with a credit card, which I pay in full inside every 28 days to avoid interest. It works for me too. LOL. Thanks for sharing, my friend!
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Yes, sir, you've offered up a mighty fine post that can be helpful to many who will heed your advice. I, like you, don't owe anyone a dime, but it took many years of working day and night until I figured it all out. LOL. I stopped carrying much cash, since it's easier to pull out and spend. I now pay for most everything with a credit card, which I pay in full inside every 28 days to avoid interest. It works for me too. LOL. Thanks for sharing, my friend!
Comment Written 23-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Hello Ric,
thanks for your great review and thoughtful words. I happen to like to pay with things with cash. It gives me an immediate idea of what I've spent and what I have left. Of course I have to use a credit card for a number of things, and like you, I pay it off every month. I suppose there are arguments for both ways. If you have the discipline to watch what you spend, a credit card can be helpful. I don't do any cash back things, or airline miles or any of that, perhaps I'm losing out because of it, but I'm pretty old fashioned. Congratulations on being debt free. We're in the minority in this country, and that suits me just fine. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Terry Broxson
Your commentary is well-written. I, too, have been out of debt for a long time. It does make living and choices about living much easier. The biggest problem is the United States' debt.
Thirty trillion dollars, and it is climbing at an alarming rate. The world's GNP is a little over a hundred trillion dollars. Our debt is not sustainable. We will crash one day. It will be ugly.
Excellent writing. Terry.
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Your commentary is well-written. I, too, have been out of debt for a long time. It does make living and choices about living much easier. The biggest problem is the United States' debt.
Thirty trillion dollars, and it is climbing at an alarming rate. The world's GNP is a little over a hundred trillion dollars. Our debt is not sustainable. We will crash one day. It will be ugly.
Excellent writing. Terry.
Comment Written 23-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Hello Terry,
thanks so much for the fine review and comments. I too am quite concerned by the national debt. We've made the dollar worth a fraction of what it once was, which of course makes everything we buy much more expensive. Unfortunately, politicians are rewarded with another term in office if they spend money like drunken sailors as long as they bring home the bacon for their constituents. It's madness. You're right, it's going to be ugly. Do what you can to prepare for what's coming and hang on tight. Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Spot-on, Tom. This resonates with me. My daughter is profligate--always complaining that she has no money. Yet, she spends lavishly on herself. This piece is compelling and provocative indeed. Sobering to contemplate.
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Spot-on, Tom. This resonates with me. My daughter is profligate--always complaining that she has no money. Yet, she spends lavishly on herself. This piece is compelling and provocative indeed. Sobering to contemplate.
Comment Written 23-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2023
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Hello Liz,
thanks so much for dropping by and commenting. I've tried to pass on what I know to my kids, but at least for some, it's gone right over their heads. My oldest daughter married a fellow who was like a little kid with finances. He was paying almost $500.00 a year to store stuff in another town hundreds of miles away, and then decided that it would be a good idea to buy a time share. When they got divorced, she got stuck with the time share, which is about $200.00 a month I believe. I've tried to help her to manage her money more wisely, but she doesn't want the help. She also refused to listen to my urging over a period of time to have her oil changed in her car. When she finally got around to it, it had one quart of oil left that was like tar. Good stewardship. Good to hear from you gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from barbara.wilkey
My youngest son was paying us back for the loan for his college. We paid it off so he would have any interest, and he made monthly payments to us. It wasn't that much. He mostly had scholarships. Well, he ended up with some health issues and needed to lower his payments to us. I told him okay, but also mentioned he wouldn't have a problem if he didn't eat out so much. HMMMM, he didn't like my assessment, but after some thought saw the light.
We have a problem in this country. It's a spending problem. (You are being very truthful here.)
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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My youngest son was paying us back for the loan for his college. We paid it off so he would have any interest, and he made monthly payments to us. It wasn't that much. He mostly had scholarships. Well, he ended up with some health issues and needed to lower his payments to us. I told him okay, but also mentioned he wouldn't have a problem if he didn't eat out so much. HMMMM, he didn't like my assessment, but after some thought saw the light.
We have a problem in this country. It's a spending problem. (You are being very truthful here.)
Comment Written 22-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Hello Barbara,
It's nice to hear that you were able to keep your son from racking up debt on the loan. Obviously everyone can't afford to do that, but I imagine if we all kept a better handle on our spending, there would be money to assist others. It bothers me that we have so much in this country and yet so many people live from one paycheck to the next. Tough love can be hard to give or receive, but it's real love nonetheless. You sound like a wise momma. Thanks so much for the thoughtful review gal. Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from eliz100
This is an excellent article about my belief system. To those that much is given much is expected, this paraphrased line from the Bible or my Catholic school teachers is my line to live by. I have been given much so I try to give as much back. There is no room for improvement. Have a blessed day.
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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This is an excellent article about my belief system. To those that much is given much is expected, this paraphrased line from the Bible or my Catholic school teachers is my line to live by. I have been given much so I try to give as much back. There is no room for improvement. Have a blessed day.
Comment Written 22-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 22-Feb-2023
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Thanks so much for the generous review eliz. I've often quoted that scripture myself. My pastor asked me last Sunday if I would speak about how God has honored our tithing and offerings. I told him I wouldn't speak publicly (the idea terrifies me) but I will write up something he can read. Too many people don't understand that it costs money to operate a church. A few dollars in the offering plate on Sunday might make them feel good, but it doesn't pay the rent or fuel bill. No other country on earth has been financially blessed like the United States, so we have an obligation to bless others in return, both in this country and abroad. I'm pleased to read that so many on this site have an understanding of stewardship and are in agreement. We can't out give the Lord, it's in His nature to bless. Have a truly blessed day.
Tom