The American Dream - God's Way

 

 

God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture

Proverbs 24:27 (KJV):
27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

 

Proverbs 24:27 (AMP):
27 (Put first things first.) Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.

Thought for the Day

The Bible has a great deal to say about business and finances. In this verse we are given wise instruction to build our business before we build our house. Since farming was the main occupation in Biblical times, much of its advice is expressed in agricultural terms, but the principles are applicable to any business today.

Today's verse instructs us to invest our resources in establishing our livelihood before buying a house. The success of so many Jewish immigrants is attributed to their adherence to this principle. Upon arriving in a new country, they bought or rented storefronts with small apartments behind or over the store and directed all their income into building up their businesses. Later, after establishing their firms, they had enough revenue to build a home elsewhere. Many American farmers also followed this principle. They started out by building barns and simple living quarters, and reinvesting all monies in the farm until it was well established. Later, when it brought in enough profit, they built larger houses.

Ignorant of good business principles, many young couples today go bankrupt. They start out by buying big homes and creating such high monthly overhead that they are unable to support the companies they begin. If they would start by renting a small place until the business did well, they would be able to buy the big house later. The American Dream usually slips through the grasp of those who pursue it without establishing a foundation of hard work and sacrifice. God desires to bless us with material things, but He does not want us to be so consumed with life's cares that we do not make time for Him. Not having time to pray with our families, read our Bibles, or fellowship with believers gives Satan an opening to destroy our homes and finances.

"And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 6:10-15).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for all of Your provision for me. I do appreciate Your goodness and love to furnish all my needs each and every day. I am looking to You to guide me in the financial affairs of my life. Lord, I resist greed and materialism, and ask for contentment with the things that I own today. I know that You will bless me more and more as I learn of Your ways and follow You. Help me to be a good steward over my finances, my home and all of the things that You have given to me. I do appreciate the material blessings You have given me, but most of all, I appreciate the spiritual blessings that are mine, which money cannot buy.I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

source: http://www.bibleresources.org/devotional