I’m Daniel Whyte III and you’re listening to The Man in the Mirror, Episode 72
This podcast is directed to all young people, but primarily to young black men, young black women, and their parents. We are thankful for all the people who are standing up for justice and racial equality. But this podcast is about the man in the mirror. What are you doing for the glory of God, to make life better for others, for your family, and for yourself? This podcast is about living life in such a way that it cuts back on the chance of being harassed or killed by the authorities or anyone else and helps you to live the good life of peace and joy.
Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.”
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
In keeping with our theme of dealing with the man (or woman) in the mirror, we are going to continue discussing the building of important biblical character traits in your life. Today, we are looking at the quality of Thriftiness, Part 2 from the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
Thriftiness is using as few resources as possible for my own needs so that I will have greater resources for generosity to God and to others. Stinginess is keeping back what should be given to others so that I will have more for myself. God condemns stinginess. Proverbs 28:8 says “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor”
James 5:4 says “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth”.
Aspects of Thriftiness
1. Thriftiness begins by being content with basics. A person who believes that happiness is measured by personal possessions will not be capable of true thriftiness. He will use up valuable assets for things that neither profit nor satisfy. Jesus warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth”. On the other hand, a person who is content with the basic essentials of life will have the natural ability to be thrifty. I Timothy 6:8 says “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content”.
2. Thriftiness is using creativity to increase assets. Just as the two faithful stewards doubled their assets, so Jacob found creative ways to multiply the flocks that were entrusted to him. A thrifty man will understand how God designed things to work and will use this knowledge to increase productivity.
3. Thriftiness is protecting assets by putting up with irritations. Life is filled with irritations and conditions that are less than ideal. Personal comfort often comes with a high price and is only temporary. A thrifty person will put up with temporary messiness that is necessary for productivity. “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox”.
Let’s Pray
Now, in closing, in order to be saved — in order to get right with God — you cannot look at the man in the mirror, but the Man Christ Jesus. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how.
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can have a home in Heaven. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless you.
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