Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. NLT
In the university, 300L to be precise, one of my room mates was profligate. At the beginning of every semester, he will live large, go clubbing and spend money recklessly. Midway into the semester, he'll go broke and sometimes will come begging us for indomie. This is someone who doesn't care about us when he was living large. I can't remember if he ever gave us a ride in his car. The painful part of his ordeal was that his friends will never buy him food except beer. Myself and other room mates weren't high earners in school but we managed the little we had and we never had any cause to beg.
There are so many programmes about prosperity and wealth today. Some are on the mountain asking God for open heaven and breakthrough while some are busy casting out the demon of poverty. One would wonder why that demon isn't attacking wealthy unbelievers. Could it be that some are immune to this demon while others are not? I have always told people that there are common sense rules guiding wealth creation and management. If an unbeliever apply them rightly, he/ she will get result. I'm not denying the fact that devil can attack and do attack the finances of believers sometimes but more often than not, unwise financial actions lead many into lack and poverty. How will you explain the case of someone looking for money to set up a business or to buy a property yet he/she is using a phone that can settle all those bills?
The bible is full of wise counsel on how to manage and multiply our finances. The opening text clearly says that fools spend whatever they get. That is, reckless spending. Those who don't live on a budget or buy on impulse will always go broke and poor. You see, sometimes, people are broke and poor not because they aren't making money but because they're not good managers of the little they have. The craze for "Aso Ebi"( party uniform) has left many broke and poor. If your investment in wardrobe and trinkets is higher than your investment in business, real estate, family and personal development, you'll live in perpetual poverty. It is not bad to tell those pestering you to buy "Aso Ebi" that you don't have the capacity for it. Don't live a life you cannot afford to impress those that aren't looking at you. Send your children to school you can afford and live in a house whose rent you won't struggle to pay for. In Phillipians 4:11, Apostle Paul said, "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have." Stop spending to keep up with the Joneses.
Father, I receive wisdom on how to manage my finances in Jesus name.