LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS

LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Pastor William Boachie-Ansah
Main texts: Eph 5:14-17, 2 Kings 4:1-7

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

¶ A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves." 2 So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil." 3 Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors-empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 "And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." 5 So she went from him :and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest."

INTRODUCTION
As much of the world strives to keep themselves afloat financially, a common song financial experts are singing is that you should live within your means. Many people often have trouble understanding exactly what this phrase means, however. That, of course, makes it very difficult to apply some important money principles.

In this presentation, we shall attempt to define terms, identify biblical basis and relevance of the issue. We shall explore the factors which influence the Church Leader’s expenditure and offer practical ways by which the Christian leader should live within his means.

DEFINITIONS
What Are “Means”?
Means simply refers to your money. Many people think of it specifically as your income. Technically, however, your means are any assets you might have, because you can convert assets to the forms you need over time. A house for example, is part of your means, because you can sell the home to get cash. Means, therefore, can include stocks, bonds, property, dividends, pension funds, bank accounts and more.
Living within your means
It means more than just balancing your budget. It means being aware of the difference between what you need and what you want. It also means you need to learn to find a way of spending that works for you -- not for your neighbors or best friends. Living within your means requires you to be mindful of how you spend your money, but if you do it correctly, you won't actually be depriving yourself of the things you really need to be happy.
THE MAN OF GOD WHO COULD NOT LIVE WITHIN HIS MEANS
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we read about a very pathetic case of a fellow man of God who died leaving a heavy debt. Please take note that he was a real man of God who served God faithfully, yet he died and left his widow and children to face such hard realities of life.
We are not certain why the man of God took that type of a loan, but from all indications it was unjustifiable due to the following:

He borrowed from a wrong person.
The loan was not contracted in consultation with  his wife
The terms of payment were too bad. (using children as a collateral security)
What did the man of God use the money for? We are being admonished to walk circumspectly because the days are evil…. If we fail to let the wisdom of God guide us in our expenditure, we may sell ourselves into financial slavery; our lives will become bitter and more bitter.
FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE THE EXPENDITURE OF CHURCH OFFICERS
Church leaders like any other people, spend money! Although they are unpaid workers in the Lord’s vineyard, it is expected that they don’t use lack of money as an excuse to leave the work undone. Let’s explore some of the factors which influence our expenditure:

Family size: the larger the size of the nuclear family, the greater the financial pressure on family needs.
Extended family: they exert pressure, especially when the officer is the bread winner, or considered as the most blessed person.
Professional competition: Some church officers compare themselves with friends and attempt to be like them.
Donations: The church officer is supposed to give appreciable donations at weddings, funerals and other social gatherings.  The bigger the donation, the higher the regard (s)he earns from church members and people in the community.
Visitations: Church Officers cannot visit the sick at home or hospitals and pray for the sick without giving donations.
Travelling: Some Church officers by nature of the work, board vehicles in order to get to their places of worship.
Education: Some Church officers pay high fees to upgrade themselves and send their children to better schools.
Unannounced Visitors: The church officer is supposed to be hospitable and therefore receives both announced and unannounced visitors.
Personal development: Church officers need to acquire some of the latest infotech gadgets such as smart phones, iPads and computers in order to keep themselves abreast with time.
Maintenances of acquired personal lifestyle: Church officers who want to live like other people would have to spend much in order to maintain the status quo.
Health care and health products: Church officers pay medical bills. They also buy and use health products such as aphrodisiacs, energy-boosting drugs, etc.

HOW TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS
Bring in more money
Work hard. Don’t become a busybody because God doesn’t like them..
Seek additional income by adding a second job.
Be an entrepreneur
Start your own job
Become  your boss
Employ people to work with you or for you.
Enjoy job security
Financial freedom
Areas for consideration: anything you can do to improve quality of life can make you a very good entrepreneur RETAIL AND DELIVERY SERVICES, TRANSPORT AND COURIER, COMMERCIAL FARMING – crops and animals
USE YOUR TALENTS - start something new

Don’t give out more money
It means controlling and cutting down expenditure, spending less in order to .minimize indebtedness
Deal with the “Expensives” avoiding empty brand brags.
EXPENSIVE Funerals
Expensive schools
Expensive clothing
Expensive vehicles
Avoid Competition: Keeping up with the Jones – life’s in stages.
Stop Habitual Shopping – buying for fun
Stop Impulse Buying – lack of discipline to resist ads.

Retain more money
There are so many people who can work hard to earn more but they find it difficult to retain money
Savings: save to buy items, save for future, save for children’s fees
Avoid unprofitable loans
Cook what you eat, eat what you cook!
RETAIL AND DELIVERY SERVICES
AVOID DEBT:  nowadays, the trend is, BUY TODAY, PAY LATER. Take note that indebtedness may be caused by:
Misfortune
Wrong concept for wealth
Lack of saving lifestyle
Living by faith only
Unsupportive spouse

LIVE by your budget: PLAN YOUR INFLOWS AND OUT FLOWS
In addition, take good note of the following:
TITHE ON EVERY INCOME YOU EARN
LEARN TO GIVE TO PEOPLE IN NEED
COMMIT YOUR RESOURCES TO GOD
LIVE by your budget PLAN YOUR INFLOWS AND OUT FLOWS
DO NOT TOUCH THE UNTOUCHABLE
Consecrated things  (e.g. God’s money) - Daniel 5:3
Accursed things – Josh 7:13,20
Concluding Remarks
God is not a respecter of persons, but respecter of principles.  If you don’t follow His principles it will be difficult for him to grant you financial breakthrough.
Misfortune can fall upon any person, whether good or bad. That is why every Christian should save towards the rainy day.
Take note of every loan you take, for no matter the flexibility, you will still pay back. It is not every loan that is helpful.
Don't just borrow from anybody or any source.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
God can do everything, yet he wants to do nothing without the co-operation of man.  Co-operate with him by living within your means in every way, and your breakthrough will be guaranteed.

Live within your means! Be wise!!
Stay blessed.

CONTACTS
Pastor William Boachie-Ansah
The Church of Pentecost (Adoagyiri District)
P.O. Box 203, Nsawam
+233 24413 7880  +233 50139 1640
boachieansah@gmail.com
boachieansah@hotmail.com
www.boachieansah.blogspot.com