Save,Invest for the Future

Friday, November 05, 2010 Save, Invest for the Future by Rick Warren Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it. Proverbs 21:20 (TEV) There is a question you can ask yourself that will help you save more money: "Do I really need this?" If you want God's blessing on your finances, you must learn to save and invest for the future. The Bible says a lot about making financial investments. In fact, you can see that Proverbs 21:20 is God's IQ test! Let's see how smart you are: wise people save for the future, but foolish people spend whatever they get. Would it surprise you to know that in Japan, the average savings is 25% of their income? The average European saves 18%. Yet, last year Americans spent 1% more than they made. Many people in retirement are going to be dirt poor because they didn't start saving early enough; they didn't practice the principle of investing in the future. Now, there is a question you can ask yourself that will help you save more money. It's real simple. When you get ready to buy something ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" And then be honest enough to tell yourself. For instance, do I really need a new car? Well, I know I'd like it. But, do I really need a new car? Do I really need this upgrade? I know I'd like it, but do I really need it? A fundamental financial principle is this: when you spend your money, it's gone. Yet, when you save your money, your money works for you. The problem with most of us is that we work for our money instead of letting our money working for us. If you'll do it God's way, you can get out of debt and you can be blessed. The Bible teaches that, when money comes easily, it disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow. "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time." Proverbs 13:11 (NLT) Many people think, 'Because I can't save a lot, I just won't save.' But it's not about the amount you save. It's the consistency of saving. It adds up little by little. So you pay God first and you pay yourself second. When you save, you are making your money work for you.