Savin' on Saturday is typically a day where I offer you a sale on my products. However, today I want to offer you a different kind of savings.
I happened to be watching a little bit of Oprah the other day when Suze Orman (9/23 episode) was on there talking about how to weather the current economy, etc. As she was speaking I couldn't help but see many parallels between the economy and the teachings I have learned in my Christian walk.
Let me explain. Oprah asked her, "Why is the economy in the state it is in?"
Suze began to explain how it is our fault. Our fault for buying houses we can't afford, our fault for charging up credit cards and spending money we didn't have, buying cars we couldn't afford, etc. She spoke of how our economy is not built on a firm foundation. It is built on lies and deception.
That made me think of the parable in the Bible of the wise man building his house upon the rock and the foolish man that built his house on the sand. We even have a Sunday school song for the kids about this story in Matthew 7:24-29.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
The 2nd thing she spoke about was about how people are people. The CEO's of these huge corporations don't care about us. They care more about making money. Suze was saying to put people 1st, money 2nd, and then things. You know what? Church is made up of people too. Have you ever been to a church and had a falling out w/ someone there, and decided to not go anymore? Are you one of those people that thinks the church is full of hypocrites? Well guess what....people are people...we are human...we are not perfect. We go to church to worship and to fellowship....not just for the people. There is no perfect church, because it is made up of humans. Now hopefully, most churches are made up of good people & good Christans who love the Lord first and foremost. But no church is perfect. I am by no means perfect, but I do strive each & every day to live a life that is a blessing to others and pleasing in God's sight.
And as far as Suze's priorities, let me suggest this. How about God first, Family 2nd, Career 3rd....or you fill in the blank for 3rd. If you put God 1st in your life, He will guide & direct your ways and your decisions, and hopefully you won't be making decisions that put you in the "poor house" so to speak.....either spiritually or financially. ;)
And last but not least Suze spoke of how things have been de-regulated, rules have been removed, all so more money can be made. What is the result? A collapse of our economy, chaos, despair...all that have been felt around the world.
Rules and regulations can be a good thing! I, for one, do not like being told what to do. My husband can attest to that! ~~wink, wink!~
However, I am smart enough to realize that being told what to do is not always a bad thing. Why do you think God gives us the 10 commandments and entire Bible full of principles to live by? To protect us and keep us safe, both spiritually and physically, because He loves and cares for us.
For example, the Bible tells us Do not get drunk (Ephesians 5:18), Do not steal (Exodus 20:16), and Do not murder (Exodus 20:13). God does not give us these rules, regulations, principles, whatever you want to call them, just so He can be a dictator. He gives us these principles to live by to protect us and keep us safe, because He loves us. Have you ever seen any good come out of being drunk, stealing, or murder?? God simply wants the best for us, just like we want the best for our children...and unlike these greedy CEO's that have put money first instead of people.
"So what do we do?", asks Oprah.
"Get honest", Suze replied.
I may not be the smartest person around and am certainly not perfect. I am honest enough with myself and have enough sense to realize I need to build my foundation on God, put God first, Family 2nd, Career 3rd, follow God's principles for living, and He will take care of the rest.
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Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday for Make It Monday!
6 comments:
What an awesome world this would be if we all truly lived as we should. I totally agree with your comments!!
Thanks!
P.S. I am a friend of Kristina's. Great girl!
Great Post! Thanks :) Karen
Just found your blog and am truly enjoying going thru your posts! I'll be back!
What a beautiful post.
Thank you for sharing.
Now, if only *everyone* would abide by The Rules...
Have a beautiful week!
I just found your blog. I love Suze Ormand and I love the Wise man and the foolish man song. I haven't thought of that in a long time. It is so true that we should all be living like the wise man.
thanks so much for this post...I believe in every word of it!! have a wonderful day!
Melissa
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