Why Do Some People Spend Every Cent They Get Right Away?
Answer: Some people spend all their money right away because they have no self-control. They have no discipline or patience. They can’t wait even though they should.
They don’t save money because they convince themselves that they have to buy things they don’t really need.
This is not good. God wants his people to be self- controlled so they will use well what he has given them. God also wants people to take care of each other. It would be wrong for parents to spend all their money on themselves and forget about the children or the house payment.
It would be wrong for Christians to spend all their money on themselves and neglect the church. It would be wrong for the boss to spend all the company’s money on himself and not pay the workers.
We need to control our spending, not let our spending control us.
Key verse: The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. (Proverbs 21:20)
Related verses: Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 3:14; 12:20; Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 2:16
Related question: Do more than 50 percent of people spend their money wisely?
Note to parents: If your children overspend, do not bail them out by giving or lending them more money. Let them learn the truth: overspending hurts.
Why Is It That When I Want To Buy Something I Am Always Short Of Cash?
Answer: If you want to buy something but don’t have enough money, you probably decided to buy it at the last minute, before you had time to save money for it.
It’s OK to buy small things that way as long as you have enough spending money. But if it costs more, you need to plan and save to buy it.
So you aren’t really short of cash; you just can’t buy everything right away. That’s why we need to learn to save.
Sometimes you save up for something, but it costs more than you thought it would. Check on the price of what you want to buy before you go to the store.
That way you will know whether you have enough money. Remember also that you have to pay tax on just about everything. You have to add tax to the price before you can buy it.
Key verse: Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16)
Related verse: Luke 14:28
Related questions: Why do things cost so much money? What if you buy lots of things and run out of money?
Note to parents: If your child really wants something but doesn’t have enough spending money, resist the temptation to make up the difference or loan the money. Help your child wait until he or she has saved the money. Children need to learn to plan their purchases and stay on budget.