When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Scott and I are committed to a budget-balanced, cash only lifestyle. I readily admit he's better at this than me. This is probably why there's an occasional week when I "misplace" a $20. In my mind's accounting I have more money left than I do.
John 15:15
Like the woman who lost one of her ten silver coins, I will think, analyze and recount my steps for as long as it takes to reconcile my cash balance and my mental receipts. (I know, I hear you accountants telling me to just keep a ledger but we all have our issues...) My mind will not relent until every bill is accounted for.
For $20 I will seek until I find.
Sometimes I feel God gently nudge my heart. Do I love Him more than $20? Do I pursue Him with the same relentless passion? What about those who've captured His heart? Do I seek mercy and justice for the Ones He loves?
Today I'm writing at Keeping It Personal. Come on over and go on a treasure hunt with me. Together we will find the heart of God.
That's wonderful that you live a cash only lifestyle. We are always ahead of ourselves even with a budget. Ahead mean paying off with cash. Geez. As always thank you for your breath of fresh air lesson.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could hop over today and I'm really excited to hear you've published the first installment of the Christopher Chronicles!
DeleteMy husband is much better at the cash or crash thing than his wife is, that's for sure!!
ReplyDelete:) Another thing we have in common!
DeleteOh you and I have so much in common. God and I just had this conversation last week when a gust of wind grabbed a $20 right out of my hands and it was just gone. I got out of my truck (the window was down of course) and began scouring the parking lot and under the cars behind me. Really! I felt like I was going nuts. God checked me on the same question later when I was retelling the story to my husband later. (Thankfully my 14 year old witnessed the whole thing, so he did not think I was just making something up because I had added wrong when I did the budget! LOL)
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious, Dayna...and completely something that would happen to me. When I first moved to Dallas 8 years ago a big gust of wind came along and scattered the 100 storage boxes and lids I'd just purchased all over the parking lot!
DeleteAh yes, the quest to "balance the books". You should see me emptying my bag for that one receipt that will explain everything. My budgeting style is more of deducting at source though
ReplyDeleteI've definitely rummaged around for some receipts. Can totally relate!
DeleteIt is great that you are making the effort to live on your cash. Personal debt in the United States is a major problem, and living without it is what more people should do.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sistah! So thankful for my sweet hubby who keeps us on track!
DeleteWe have friends that do the cash only lifestyle and swear by it.
ReplyDeleteWell I was sort of dragged into it but so thankful I was!
DeleteShannon... I too live a cash only lifestyle (4 years now). I'm still trying to get used to it. ;) Although, I love saving up for things... it feels good and we appreciate our purchases much more. :) Separates wants from needs very easily... its been a very humbling experience. Grace, peace and blessings, Carla
ReplyDeleteCarla, you are so right about separating wants from needs and how much more you appreciate something when you get it! Great thoughts as always!
DeleteWe, unfortunately are not on a cash-only lifestyle right now with our addition. But once we get all of that squared away it would be a very good idea to start. I agree that we need to put more focus on Jesus than all of the worldly things. Sometimes everything else comes first and he's sitting there on the back burner waiting for me to remember Him. As Christians, we all know that if we just trust in Him, that lost $20 wouldn't even matter. But, it's hard to put that in the forefront of our minds sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. So thankful for His gentle nudges. :)
DeleteThank you for this personal words en thoughts. I learn from it.
ReplyDeleteAlways thrilled when you stop by!
DeleteExcellent questions sister!!! ~ Blessings, Amy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. I love it when He gentle taps my heart with a question like that. :)
DeleteI smiled to see you referenced Micah 6:8 in this post. It is a verse God has used to speak to me as well. In fact I used it in a post on my own blog just yesterday. God doesn't really give us a long Do/Don't list. But "do justice, love mercy" ... that is certainly what He does expect from us. He does want us to love those He loves more than all the stuff that so often grips our hearts.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sistah!
DeleteBeing on a cash budget is such a good habit. We are on one too, and the longer you do it, the better you get. It also makes spending on something really special, and you appreciate it more.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right and it truly helps you prioritize what's important to you.
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