Money Management : Seven Wise Sayings

These sayings are recorded in an ancient book filled with tenets that have proved to be practical even in this highly technological modern world.

1. "A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver;  neither any lover of wealth with income."

- King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

King Solomon of Israel, one of the richest men who ever lived, based these words on his personal experiences and observations. Today, many wealthy men have been making similar remarks.

2. "If we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation."

- Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:8,9)

Apostle Paul gave up a prestigious career and became a follower of Jesus Christ. He never coveted others' material things nor did he take advantage of his students' and associates' material possessions. Instead, he worked hard with his own hands to attend to his material needs.

3.  "Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it?"

- Jesus Christ (Luke 14:28)

This illustration can be applied to a situation we might face. When making a purchase, especially with a credit card, do we buy impulsively or be patient and count the cost? Do we really need the item and can we afford it?

4. "Those who borrow are slaves of money-lenders."

- King Solomon (Proverbs 22:7)

In his 2009 book Your Money: Day One, Michael Wagner states:  "It is common for a person today to have, on average, over $9,000 in credit card debt on four or more credit cards."

This is just one example showing the folly of credit-card and other forms of debt, which is also exposed by the recent world financial crisis.

5.  "The wicked one is borrowing and does not pay back, but the righteous one is showing favor and is making gifts."

- King David (Psalm 37:21)

Some view declaring bankruptcy as an easy way out of paying back what they owe. But those who treasure their good relationship with God conscientiously pay back what they owe, as long as it's possible,  and they also give generously.

6.  "A young man I used to be, and I have also grown old, and yet, I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread."

- King David (Psalm 37:25)

King David suffered unjust treatment. He became a fugitive, sometimes living in caves and sometimes seeking refuge in a foreign land. Later, however, he became the king of ancient Israel. During his life, he personally experienced the truthfulness of the aforementioned words that he himself penned.

7.  "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving."

- Jesus Christ (Acts 20:35)

Spending his life on earth in the service of others, Jesus was certainly in the best position to say the words above. He experienced the greatest happiness as he served the interest of others.  Now he enjoys immortal spirit life in heaven at the right hand of his Father, Jehovah, "the happy God".

 (Based on Awake magazine, September, 2011, pages 8, 9)

Does God Listen to All Prayers?

God invites people of all nations to draw close to him in prayer.

"O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come."

(Psalm 65:2)

However, he does not listen to all prayers. For instance, when the Israelites persisted in badness, God refused to hear their prayers.

"Where else will YOU be struck still more, in that YOU add more revolt? The whole head is in a sick condition, and the whole heart is feeble."  (Isaiah 1:5)

The prayers of a man who mistreats his wife can be hindered too. 

"YOU husbands, continue dwelling in like manner with them according to knowledge, assigning them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, since YOU are also heirs with them of the undeserved favor of life, in order for YOUR prayers not to be hindered."   (1 Peter 3:7)

But God will hear the prayers of gross sinners if they are truly repentant.

"And Ma‧nas′seh kept seducing Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do worse than the nations that Jehovah had annihilated from before the sons of Israel.

And Jehovah kept speaking to Ma‧nas′seh and his people, but they paid no attention. Finally Jehovah brought against them the chiefs of the army that belonged to the king of As‧syr′i‧a, and so they captured Ma‧nas′seh in the hollows and bound him with two fetters of copper and took him to Babylon. And as soon as it caused him distress, he softened the face of Jehovah his God and kept humbling himself greatly because of the God of his forefathers. And he kept praying to Him, so that He let himself be entreated by him and He heard his request for favor and restored him to Jerusalem to his kingship; and Ma‧nas′seh came to know that Jehovah is the [true] God."  (2 Chronicles 33:9-13)

(Based on the Watchtower, Sept. 1, 2011, page 16)

Does Praying Do Any Good?

"O Hearer of prayer, 

even to you people of all flesh will come." 

(Psalm 65:2) 

Almost everyone feels the need to pray. On the other hand, there are those who feel that praying doesn't help at all.

Such differing sentiments raise these following questions:

What do people expect to achieve by praying? 
Are all these prayers doing any good?


The answers can be read here:
Does Praying Do Any Good?
                                                  
In this article, the following question will also be answered:

WHY DO PEOPLE PRAY?
DOES ANYONE HEAR PRAYERS?
ARE ALL PRAYERS HEARD?

Read on, and find out about a power that you may have never known before.

Have You Ever Wondered....

WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THE BIBLE?


- What important information is contained in the Bible?


- Who is the Bible's author?


- Why should you study the Bible?


ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE FOUND IN THIS LINK:
Have You Ever Wondered....?

Are You Lonely?

Loneliness is a powerful feeling, and it can be very painful. It is a feeling of emptiness. There is a sensation of isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other humans. It affects people of all ages and of all races, social strata, and creeds. 

No wonder why many people today experience loneliness. Is it possible to cope with loneliness?

What have some done to overcome this powerful feeling?

Here are comforting words from Someone who cares about us and doesn't want us to be lonely: 

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

The following link will show us how to cope successfully with this feeling.

Alone But Not Lonely