If you can’t handle $5, why should I give you $10?
By Stew
I think the above statement most readily applies to government, but I know there are some folks out there who think that government does not have enough money . . . Politics aside, how often do we think, “Boy, if I would just win the lottery,” or “I wonder if I am in somebody’s will?” or, “if I could just find something around my house that would sell for five figures on Antique Roadshow, all my money troubles would be over!”
But will more money smooth your financial road? The truth is that one in three lottery winners will go broke withing five years and one of the most difficult challenges for professional athletes is the transition from being broke to great riches in just a few years. Purchasing a lottery ticket probably demonstrates poor financial decision making skills in and of itself.
As I walk through life, I observe that some of the wealthiest people pry money out of their wallets with great effort. They drive humble cars and live in houses that are comfortable but not extravagant. In contrast, many folks who have “flashy” riches often deal with major debt behind closed doors or their financial lives follow a cycle of boom and bust. When their income stream is full, they live high on the hog, never thinking that their income might change in the future.
Luke 16:10
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
If one cannot handle the few pennies that are in his possession right now, how can he be a good steward of quarters and dollars in the future? If you struggle with debt and overspending, more money will compound and multiply your struggles. However, in this passage, Christ is not just speaking of financial wealth, he is explaining that we have all been entrusted with assets in this life. We all have something that we bring to the table. And if we want more, if we desire greater responsibilities, his question to us will be: “What are you doing with the things that I have already given you?”
Article by Stew
Photo by House of Sims
February 10th, 2010 at 8:51 am
These principles hold true in your work life as well. Too often I see new employees that want more and more responsibility when all they really want is more and more prestige, more and more money, and a fancier title to tell their friends about.
They forget that to get a return on an investment, you have to FIRST make the investment. They want the return without putting in the investment.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:18 am
thanks for this post! what a great reminder (especially that verse) that all that we have is not ours but God’s. the Lord has really convicted us to re-examine what we have and what we need. most times, the things that we need don’t end up being a necessity at all.
we see this struggle with our oldest son (who is 12). he can get $3 or $20 and in both cases that money just burns a hole in his pocket. there is such a desire to spend it as soon as possible…it doesn’t really matter on what. but then he complains that he doesn’t get enough money through out the year, that maybe he should start getting an allowance so that he can learn to save better, but my husband and i both know that he needs to learn how to handle the money that he has more responsibly first.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Oh how this applies to my state right now! I linked back to this in my post today. SO frustrating!
February 10th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
What’s amazing is that I grew up in a single parent home and that all my mom preached about. I was the youngest of my siblings so I kinda got my way when it came to me getting things from my mother. I graduated college in 2008 and I truly understand now about the value of money now especially in the tough economic times as today. I used to complain about my mother’s “money lectures” but now I call her from time to time and thank her. She’s say, “you’re welcome. Remember when you have kids, train up a child…..”
February 10th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Great read!
As I recall the guy with one talent went and buried his and he was sent off, while the guys who were given more doubled their money were praised.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
I’m of divided opinion here. I agree that, if you’re mismanaging your money, more won’t help.
But then there are people like my husband and myself. We both have health problems that make it difficult to work. My husband is looking for part-time work now, and we’ll see if he’s able to graduate to full time once we see how he handles PT. I can’t work more than part-time because of my health problems. Even then, I need to work from home.
So, in our case, a little more money would be invaluable. We’re doing okay on our current income; we’ve paid off a lot of debt. It was almost exclusively created because of our health problems — medical costs and just higher expenses that occur when you’re not completely able-bodied. Still, even an extra $10,000 or so a year — earned as a salary — would let us have a couple more indulgences, like being able to travel a little and also just create savings.
Again, we’ll get there on our own. But I think we could make a case for more money making a huge difference.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Abigail, the question is not, will a little more money help? The question is, will more money help one who is mismanaging money in the first place?