HOW CAN YOU MANAGE A HOUSEHOLD? CHAPTER FOUR

"THE scene of this world is changing." (1 Corinthians 7:31) Those words were written over 1,900 years ago,  and how true they are today! Things are changing, especially with regard to family life.  What was viewed as normal or traditional 40 or 50 years ago is often not acceptable today.  Because of this, successfully managing a household can present enormous challenges.  Nevertheless, if Scriptural counsel is heeded, you can meet these challenges. 

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Today many people are no longer satisfied with a simple, family-oriented life. As the commercial world produces more and more products and uses its advertising skills to try to entice the public, millions of fathers and mothers spend long hours at work so that they can buy these products.  Other  millions face a day-to-day struggle just to put some food on the table.  They have to spend  far more time at work than used to be the case, perhaps holding down two jobs, simply to pay for necessities.  Yet others would be happy to find a job, since unemployment is a widespread problem.  Yes, life is not always easy for the modern family, but Bible principles can help families to make the best of the situation.  

The apostle Paul experienced economic pressures.  In handling them, he learned a valuable lesson, which he explains in his letter to his friend Timothy. Paul writes:   "We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out.  So, having sustenance and covering, we shall  be content with these things." (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) True, a family needs more than just food and clothing.  It also needs somewhere to live.  The children need an education. And there are medical bills and other expenses (note: these other expenses are utilities, not dancing lessons, not games, not going to all the football,basketball etc. We are talking basic needs, not what you think you have to have to live within your means) Still, the principle of Paul's words applies.  If we are content to satisfy our needs rather than indulge our wants, life will be easier.   (This is true. It is hard enough to be able to get the basic needs, much less buy all the fancy fads that Satan tells us we have to have; in this respect he is making people stress out to get these things which keeps you away from worshiping God. This is another one of Satan's ploys) 

Next time: Conclusion of LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

From the book: THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS, 1996