Spender vs. Earner?
I once had officemates who waited for payday so they could go to the bar and drink, then report to work the next day, almost broke and with a hangover. Or they spend a third of their income on clothes and end up borrowing money for their necessities a week later. For some, this was a pattern.
Some people cannot wait to spend their 13th month pay on new gadgets or go on a lavish vacation. The money is spent on temporary gratification. They are the spenders.
Earners think of money differently. They might use a portion of it to invest in something that can make more income. They might start a small online business, selling baked goods or crafts. Alternatively, they might invest in a course to learn a new skill, such as graphic design, which they can utilize for freelance work. The goal is to create. It's to take the little that we have and, with God's guidance, multiply it.
The Parable of the Talents
The story of the talents in Matthew 25 has a lot to teach us. The master gave his servants different amounts of money, or "talents." One received five, another two, and the last, one.
The servants with five and two talents invested their money and doubled it. They were praised for their faithfulness and rewarded with more.
The last servant, out of fear, just buried his talent. He didn't use it or invest it. The master rebuked him for being lazy and wicked.
The lesson is clear: God expects us to be productive with what He gives us. He doesn't want us to bury our blessings, big or small. He wants us to be wise with our money, time, and skills.
As a nation that often relies on remittances and small businesses, this principle is especially relevant. We can choose to simply spend the money we receive, or we can choose to make it grow.
Practical Examples
Let's look at some tangible examples of how we can apply this principle in our daily lives.
Your daily commute: Instead of spending a lot on expensive rides, what if you used that extra cash to start a small sari-sari store from home? The money you save on transportation could become your initial capital.
Your "Pasalubong" culture: Instead of just buying pasalubong that will be consumed in one sitting, what if you invested in something that could benefit your family long-term? Maybe you could buy a sewing machine to start a small business or a second-hand laptop for your child's education.
Your savings: Instead of just putting your money in a savings account that doesn’t really earn interest, what if you used a portion of it to start an online business? You could sell homemade food, digital art, or even offer tutorials on a skill you're good at.
The goal is to shift your mindset from being a consumer to being a creator, from being a spender to being an earner. This means using what God has given you to create opportunities, bless your family, and, in the end, honor Him. By choosing to multiply rather than just to spend, we become faithful stewards of His abundant blessings.
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PRAYER
Father God,
Show me how I can use my money wisely, for this money comes from you as a blessing, so that I can be a blessing to others. Transform my mind from being a consumer to being a creator, from being a spender to being an earner. Let me see money as a seed to plant and grow. Help me to be a responsible steward of money so that I can use it wisely for your purposes, to let your work grow, and to help those in need. All these I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
INVITATION
If you want to join an online Bible study, send me a message.
Atty. Chato Olivas, Editor and Curator, assisted by Gemini AI.
Let's look at some tangible examples of how we can apply this principle in our daily lives.
Your daily commute: Instead of spending a lot on expensive rides, what if you used that extra cash to start a small sari-sari store from home? The money you save on transportation could become your initial capital.
Your "Pasalubong" culture: Instead of just buying pasalubong that will be consumed in one sitting, what if you invested in something that could benefit your family long-term? Maybe you could buy a sewing machine to start a small business or a second-hand laptop for your child's education.
Your savings: Instead of just putting your money in a savings account that doesn’t really earn interest, what if you used a portion of it to start an online business? You could sell homemade food, digital art, or even offer tutorials on a skill you're good at.
The goal is to shift your mindset from being a consumer to being a creator, from being a spender to being an earner. This means using what God has given you to create opportunities, bless your family, and, in the end, honor Him. By choosing to multiply rather than just to spend, we become faithful stewards of His abundant blessings.
—-------
PRAYER
Father God,
Show me how I can use my money wisely, for this money comes from you as a blessing, so that I can be a blessing to others. Transform my mind from being a consumer to being a creator, from being a spender to being an earner. Let me see money as a seed to plant and grow. Help me to be a responsible steward of money so that I can use it wisely for your purposes, to let your work grow, and to help those in need. All these I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
INVITATION
If you want to join an online Bible study, send me a message.
Atty. Chato Olivas, Editor and Curator, assisted by Gemini AI.
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