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“Wealth quickly gained is quickly wasted — easy come, easy go! But if you gradually gain wealth, you will watch it grow.” Proverbs 13:11(TPT)

This verse feels so simple, but it can be difficult to follow plus it carries a deep warning and a powerful promise. It reminds us that money can come fast… but it can also disappear just as fast. “Easy come, easy go” isn’t just a saying—it’s a reality. When wealth is gained quickly, without discipline, wisdom, or purpose, it often gets spent quickly too. The mistakes Jay and I have made with finances have usually been tied to impulse, emotion, or the pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing or buying. Thankfully our mistakes haven’t steered us too off course! 

Spending spontaneously or beyond our measure can feel good in the moment. Our culture constantly tells us to live for the moment—buy what you want now, do what makes you feel happy today, and worry about tomorrow later. But Proverbs is teaching us something completely different:

real prosperity is rarely instant. It’s built slowly. It’s intentional. It’s steady.

What I love about this verse in proverbs (and much of the book of proverbs) is that it is not just telling us how to have money—it’s teaching us how to steward money. Because what we do today affects what we’ll be able to do tomorrow. We want to own a home, support our children as they grow, and be present for our parents as they age. Sometimes that support isn’t even financial—it’s time. And if we don’t plan well now, we may not have the margin later. Prosperity isn’t a “live in the moment” mindset; it’s a plan that positions us for the future.

Several years ago, Jay and I took the Dave Ramsey’s course on finances, and it truly changed the outlook of our future when it came to money. I would say we were always fairly responsible, but we didn’t think far ahead. We didn’t make much, had three young children, and saving felt nearly impossible. The course taught us to write down both what we wanted to save for and what we needed to save for, and then intentionally set aside money for each category every month. While driving on vacation we made a list of everything we knew would be coming up financially in one year, five years and 10 years. We couldn’t believe how long the list was: a new furnace, air conditioning and shingles, to our kids braces and school expenses. This list opened our eyes to our need to be disciplined with our finances!   At first, it felt discouraging—how could we possibly save for everything on the list?

But little by little, we watched our savings grow.

Diligence and consistency were the keys.

This new way of looking at finances has radically changed our lives. What once felt restrictive has actually created freedom. Because we planned and stayed disciplined, we’ve been able to take multiple family trips, give more generously, and even purchase a rental unit that will help support us in retirement. These were things we never thought would be possible for us. The blessing didn’t come overnight—it came little by little, just like Proverbs promises.

We still regularly revisit and adjust our savings goals as our life enters new seasons. Three marriages no longer seem far way!  Discipline remains essential, but so does faithfulness to the plan God has helped us build.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask that You would give each of us wisdom and clarity to create a plan for our finances. Help us to be diligent and disciplined to follow through, even when it feels slow or difficult. Give us creativity and opportunity to earn what we need, and teach us how to steward what You’ve entrusted to us well. We desire to flourish so that we can bless our families, serve others, and generously support Your church. Amen.

 

Let's light up our world : Digital Postcards

Note: It's easiest to do this part from your phone if you are going to use texting or social media to send it. If you are using a computer it is best to email or telegram the postcard.

1. Pick one of the Postcards. 2. Ask Holy Spirit who this is for? 3. Look at the card and ask Holy Spirit for a word of encouragement for them.  4. Send the postcard with the word of encouragement.

Quiet Prayer Video