Yesterday I had the honor of speaking on couponing at Nurture, a local moms group. It was WAY fun. The Nurture moms are a great group of women and were so sweet and welcoming to me and my friend Andrea who was nice enough to come with me (in case I made a total idiot of myself and needed someone in my corner). After a yummy breakfast and some coffee, we read some Bible verses and had some discussion about what it means to be responsible with what God has given us. One of the verses the Nurture leaders had included in the discussion was Luke 16:10-11. Coincidentally, I had been going to read those verses in my talk.
10 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (New International Version)
When I was reading those verses in preparation for my talk, it was like a lightning bolt hit me. Most of the time I think that God has put me in the “very little” category, but the reality is, I have so much. Compared to most citizens of this world, I am a millionaire. My three-bedroom 1917 urban home probably seems like a palace to so many who live in just one or two rooms, or worse yet, have no home at all. It has clean, warm running water and beds with soft mattresses. I drive a car that offers the highest luxury of its class (*cough*in 1994*cough*). My children are well-fed, happy, healthy, and bright. My sweet husband is gainfully employed. He works long hours, and we wish he was home more. But when he’s not with us, he’s working hard. He’s not out at the bar, or anyplace worse, he’s working hard using the talents God gave him to provide for us.
I have so much, and I am so thankful.
Having a little perspective is what’s working for me today. For more helpful insights, go visit Rocks in My Dryer.
This post came at a great time, I was having a poor me morning and I know how truly blessed my life is! Thanks for putting in perspective for me too 🙂
Excellent post!
Do you have more info about that moms’ group? Do they have a website? I live in the area and am looking for something like that.
Well said, my friend.
In the classes I teach I send my students to the website http://www.globalrichlist.com. It lets you put in your income, and shows you where you are in global wealth. Definitely helps you count your blessings.
Great perspective 🙂 No more woe me’s over here.
This is so true. We even lost our business this year (thanks economy!) and I’m still thankful that things aren’t worse. I am blessed.
(If you see my post today, note the facial cleanser with the red cap. I figure you have it too, because I bought it for $6.99, then got $6.99 in ECB’s…which as you have taught so well is “like getting it for FREE”!)
You did a great job speaking! I appreciate you coming and sharing your coupon wisdom with us. I know a lot of moms were inspired to start saving more money. Your post is also very humbling. I often think we have so little compared to others and forget all the wonderful things God’s provided for our family. My husband and I were just thanking God the other day for providing him with a job in which he would be able to support our family. I’m so thankful to be able to stay home with my little ones.
Aww… you called me sweet.
Amen. It’s so easy to take it for granted, isn’t it??