A lesson from the ants

Hello! Have you ever been in debt? Today's chapter, Proverbs 5, talks some about owing something to another person and being under the bondage of paying it off. I remember getting my first credit card and having a great time buying things...then the bill came in...I wasn't able to pay it all off, so paid what I could and then then next month it came in the mail again with charges on it because I didn't pay it off. Being part Scotch, I didn't like this at all! I determined to pay it all off as soon as possible and never to have late charges again. Paying it off in full was a good practice and it kept me from the pressure of getting behind. It is a sweet thing I found to have a clear conscience as far as money practices are concerned. Sometimes we trap ourselves into buying things we don't need. What do we do in this situation? How do we gain control of ourselves? Solomon's advice is to: "Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourslef, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler." Vs. 3-4 Humility in the situation is part of the cure for the lack of self control. To acknowledge that we have gone too far, spent too much, helps us to learn to be moderate in our spending. I have known several who have been owing greatly to the bank for their homes, they have talked over and over to those at the bank and finally were successful in getting the loan refinanced so they could pay it off little by litte. It was an exhausting adventure for them to say the least, they were emotionally spent by all the calls and the contacts they were making, but in the end it paid off. Relief finally came as they didn't give up "pressing their plea to their neighbor." Once they were refinanced relief came. Solomon gives more advice: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise." Have you ever watched ants in an ant house or just observed them on the ground at a picnic? The ant if you watch it, is constantly working, doing it's part in providing for "the family." They work diligently and purposefully. When we find them on our kitchen counters we aren't so impressed with their diligence nevertheless they do present a clear picture as to what kind of diligence it takes to provide for ourselves and our families. Sometimes we fall into debt because we are selfish and lazy and expect others to provide for us. We are told "the ant has no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Vs.7-8 They are continually in motion, doing their part, not being told they must. We are told when we fold our hands and sleep, poverty will come upon you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." Vs. 10-11 A wise woman is aware of her finances and guards them, preparing for the future. She does her part by being aware of the needs and storing up what is needed for the future. How are you doing with these things? Are you doing your part to provide for yourself and those around you? If you are in debt there are some excellent programs out there to help you get out of debt. They call for diligence and self control and will help you keep your head above water. The Lord will help you when you humble yourself and ask for His help. It won't be a quick, easy fix but He will help. As women of faith, let's be honorable with our finances. Let's take care of our debts and then purpose to not go into debt by being wise and providing diligently like the ants.