Have you ever wondered what our great grandparents might have to say about most Americans’ frivolous spending?

I’m imagining a conversation going something like this, “So great-grandma, I’m really bummed. I can only buy a latte twice this week because I need to pay my iPhone and credit card bills. Life is really tough right now.”

Wonder what she’d say? I’m thinking she’d have a lot of tough questions about why we feel we need all of the things we think we can’t live without today. This would be followed by a plethora of heart-wrenching stories about what it meant to fall on hard times in her day.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 28:19 “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!” (NKJV)

What does this look like in 2020? What does it mean to be frivolous or “tilling your land” these days?

The answers to those questions aren’t altogether simple, but let’s take a closer look. “Tilling your land” might just be getting up and going to work, being a good employee, and making the most of the opportunities at your current job. It might mean not seeing all the benefits of wise choices today. Farmers have to wait a while to see the fruit of their labor.

It might also look like taking good care of the money you make when you bring it home. How can you make the “land” you have fertile and healthy? Keep a budget, pay your tithes, invest for your retirement, and make a plan for your financial future.

But what about frivolity?

Defining this will look different for each of us. It will also depend on our current financial situation. If money is tight, or we have a financial mess, we have to buckle down and avoid all the extras for a season. Some quick areas to consider reducing are eating out, specialty coffee, TV services, cell phone upgrades, and extracurricular activities.

These aren’t all cut and dry situations. The point the Scripture makes is that there is some work to be done on our part to enjoy the blessing. There will be a payout for our dedication to wise financial living. Our everyday and seemingly minor choices matter. If we want to get to a peaceful place with our money (see this post for some practical tips), we can be assured that God wants to show us how. We just have to ask Him and obey as He leads. 1 John 5:14-15 teaches us that if we ask anything according to God’s will we can be assured we’ve been heard and we have what we’ve asked!

Best wishes on a fresh approach to finances this year!

If this sounds like something you’d like help in achieving, you can check out our brand new online version of Doing Money God’s Way.

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