We've all been there. You run in to the grocery store to pick up just a few items for supper. Unfortunately, you have the kids with you. (Those of you with young children know exactly why I use the word "unfortunately.") You have just entered the store and it begins. "It" has been going on for years. Your parents know about "it". Your grandparents know about "it". Since the beginning of time, "it" has happened. "Mommy! Look! I NNNNEEEEDDDDD that!" You turn your head. And you see it...a bright red tie-dyed, bigger-than-life Easter bunny with a 75% off sticker on it. Oh, and it's holding jelly beans that are starting to discolor. The discoloring is occuring because Easter was approximately 7 weeks ago. You reply, "No." And keep moving. And "it" keeps happening. The sugary cereal. The donuts. The books in the giant bin that say "VALUE!" And then you make it to the check-out. Only to have your children be enticed by Kit-Kats, plastic "cell phones", and Funyuns. You are exhausted by the time you make it to the car. And you are ready to pull your hair out. You do, after all, have a rule. "We will NOT buy anything that is not on my list. Do NOT ask for anything." How easily that rule is forgotten.
Grocery shopping is just one of the many activities that we do with our children that teach them about money. It can be a great lesson in budgeting, self-control, and frugality. It can also be a great lesson in God's provision. For those that know me well, you know that I am a money person. I studied finance in college and I have worked in banking, in bookkeeping, and am the "chief accountant" for Allen Family Enterprises. But the Holy Spirit has been convicting me lately. And unfortunately, with today's drive toward "extreme couponing" and the like, I believe we all need to stand on guard.
You see, money is not evil. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the LOVE of money is the root of all sorts of evil. I always viewed that verse as one for two groups of people: the "wealthy" and the "wanna-be wealthy." The wealthy, well, they are the ones that could go in a grocery store and buy their kids whatever they asked for. And the wanna-be wealthy, are the ones that don't care who or what they step on to get to the top. Wealth is all they care about. It's not that I didn't think the verse applied to me, I just thought, "Hey, I've got this! I'm a money person. I'm frugal. I certainly don't love money!"
But, within the last couple of weeks, God has shown me something. We can make an idol out of money no matter what our bank statement looks like. If we don't have enough, and we worry constantly about it, we are making an idol out of it. If we have plenty, and we worry that it will go away, we are making an idol out of it. If we are comfortable, but yet we spend too much time or energy on saving money, we are making an idol out of it. And then there are the "money martyrs", as I like to call them. We all know people like this. These are the folks who feel like they have to prove to everyone that they don't have as much money as everyone else, although to look at their homes or their cars, you may be able to argue with them. They have the whole "woe is me" attitude. But often, they are using a disguise. They actually are trying to say, "Holy is me. See me? I don't make money an idol, because I don't have as much as my neighbor down the street." But the unfortunate thing is, they are making an idol out of money just as much as the next person.
Please don't misunderstand me. I love coupons. I love ad-matching. I love clearance racks. And I will never pay full price for a car. God blesses us, and we are to be good stewards of WHATEVER He gives us. And we are to be content with whatever He gives us. (Hebrews 13:5). But, I have learned in the past couple of weeks that sometimes I make money an idol when I actually think that I'm looking for a bargain. When I spend more time couponing than spending time with God. When I drive across town to save $.30 on milk when I wasted more than that on gas. When I make it a point to prove to someone that I didn't pay as much for something as they think I did.
So, back to the kids. I know they think I am mean at times. I know they think I am just withholding glorious riches from them. I am an absolute stickler about not buying them things when they are at the store with me. I go with a purpose, and a list. And I am determined to not go over my budget. I think that with my conviction about not making an idol out of money came another conviction: I need to teach my kids about the same thing. I need to teach them how to budget, and how to pay attention to prices. But most of all, I need to teach them about God's provision. I need to show them the story in the Bible of the 2 fish and 5 loaves. They need to hear about the Israelites and the manna. There may be a time that we don't eat our choice foods. There may be a time that we don't have our favorite clothes. There may be a time that we don't have a home. But, God is still God. And He will still provide. He provides salvation, joy, patience and long-suffering. And He provides grace.
Yes, I know times are tough. I know gas prices are crazy. I know that causes grocery prices to increase, and then everything starts that upward trend. But I also know who is God. And I know what His Word says, "Do not worry, saying "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear for clothing?"...For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." (Matthew 6:31-32) May we always rest in His unchanging goodness, and trust in His unfailing love. Even when we don't get the tie-dyed bunny.
