The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs (14 page)

February 17

A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

     
Ill-gotten gain has no lasting value,

          
but right living can save your life.

The economic crises of recent years left our entire nation reeling. What happened? How could such a rich and prosperous nation as ours be bankrupt? Then we looked at the rich and long-standing companies. How could they be bankrupt? Then we looked at people, really, really rich and powerful people. How could they go bankrupt? Something went wrong. Why? Because something wasn’t right.

In Luke 12:15 Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”
(NIV
).

So, ladies, children of God, we need to go back to the basics. Our proverb today says, “Right living can save your life.” Financially we don’t need a bailout. We need to straighten out.

Here are some suggestions:

• Did you know that if you packed your lunch every day, in one year you could save $2500?
  
• My friend told me that ladies at her church brought together their good, used clothes and they had a swap day; lots of fun and lots of money saved.
  
• Look at the flyers at the grocery store and shop specials only. Plan your menus for the week according to only what is on sale.
  
• Instead of going out to lunch with friends, I often make a good soup or salad, and we have lunch at my house.
  

As Ben Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

God is very interested in our being good stewards of our resources, and the Bible has more sound financial advice than any book ever written. Debt is a bondage and burden. It is time to break the grip by getting serious and proactive. You can make it a game. Enlist your kids. Keep a notebook to keep record of your savings. Instead of stopping at the coffee shop, make your own coffee and put it in a to-go cup. Then calculate the amount saved over a month and apply it directly to a specific bill. One taste of victory will motivate you to look for other places to save.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 4:1–5:19; Mark 2:13–3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2

February 18

God Provides

     
The L
ORD
will not allow the righteous soul to famish,

     
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

Here’s a wonderful promise from God himself: “The L
ORD
will not allow the righteous soul to famish.” Maybe you’re struggling right now and wondering if you are going to make it. Will your children be deprived? Will you lose everything and live in misery? These can be unspoken fears for us as women.

Listen to what Harry Ironside had to say: “Let the outward circumstances be as they may, the soul of the righteous is lifted above them all and finds cause to rejoice in the midst of tribulation.”

In times like this, we need to read the stories of people who have faced physical famine and hardship in the past. Sit down and read the story of Elijah. God used ravens to bring him food (see 1 Kings 17:1-6). Then (in 1 Kings 17:9-16) God fed both Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Remember? She was the one whose bin of flour never ran out. And how about the story of Joseph? He lost everything, really everything. But even though his situation was harsh and unfair, there is one line that stands out in his story: “The L
ORD
was with him” (Genesis 39:23). This is the key. As we read Genesis 37, 39, and 40, another thing stands out too. Joseph took a stand for righteousness, for integrity. His pockets may have been empty, but his soul wasn’t. God has promised he will not allow the righteous soul to famish.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Your greatest need is God’s opportunity to show you his greatest supply. Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air . . . your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26,
NKJV
). The answer to that question is, yes, of course you are more valuable! There is something very sweet about seeing God meet a need in your life. It allows him to show you that he hears you and that he cares.

Let’s Pray

Lord, I am coming to you alone with my need. May your supply meet my need and bring me to a fresh knowledge of your love.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 6:1–7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4

February 19

Soul Harvest

     
He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son,

          
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Regarding the harvest, each of us is either diligent or lazy. Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35,
NKJV
). He was not talking about a wheat harvest. He was talking about souls: people who are lost but ready. The question is, are we? Are we ready and willing to share the good news of the gospel with a lost and dying world?

So, my dear sisters, let me encourage you with some practical helps.

• The best place to start is to ask the Lord to give you a burden for souls. Ask him to help you see people and love people as he does.
  
• Be prepared. I always carry copies of the Gospel of John everywhere I go. I have to admit I am much bolder if I have something to offer someone.
  
• Pray for a divine appointment. God will give a “holy tug” to notice someone. It may be a cashier or cab driver or just a teenager hanging outside the mall.
  

Recently a lady came up to me in the Costco parking lot. She was selling something. We talked, and then I got out a Gospel of John. I handed it to her and merely said, “I really feel I’m supposed to give this to you. It tells about God’s love and that you can know him.” I looked up and tears were running down her face. She said, “Thank you. You have no idea. Thank you.” Simple, so simple. Look up; the field of lost, hungry souls is ripe.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Statistically, only 5 percent of all Christians ever share their faith. I know why that is: fear of rejection, fear we won’t know what to say. But let me tell you, if you will just follow the three simple steps I shared, you’ll be surprised. You will notice someone that you just “have to” speak to. There are some people who have never heard the words, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” Will you give it a try?

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 7:28–9:6; Mark 3:31–4:25; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 10:5

February 20

Memory of the Righteous

Often the Proverbs use contrasts. On one side of the line there will be the blessings and benefits of godliness. On the other side of the line are the end results of selfishness, foolishness, and ungodliness. What is the point? The point is for us to take a look and choose. If we choose badly, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We could have chosen the other side, the blessedness of godliness. It’s more than just information. It’s an invitation.

     
Blessings crown the head of the righteous,

          
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

     
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,

          
but the name of the wicked will rot.

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing.” This is their legacy. Wherever they go, they leave behind a fragrance of sweetness, of kindness, of grace and encouragement.

We need to rub shoulders with people who have lived like that, and one of the best ways we can do that is to read biographies of great godly people. If you haven’t done that in a while, pick one up. It will do you good.

So let me suggest a few.

• A Passion for Souls
  by Lyle Dorsett is the story of D. L. Moody, one of my personal heroes in the faith.
  
• Another must-read is
  George Müller:
  Delighted in God
  . His story will stretch your faith and stir your heart.
  
• Anything about Billy Graham. Just saying his name is a blessing. One of my favorite books about him is
  The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham
  .
  

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing.” Sometimes we think that only famous people make a real impact on others around them. You need to know that’s not true in God’s economy. Today you can give someone a word of hope, today you can lift someone up in prayer, today you can simply and sincerely tell someone you that love them and that they are important. Be assured: sometimes it is the little things that truly are the big things.

One Year Bible Reading

Leviticus 9:7–10:20; Mark 4:26–5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7