City Harvest Church KL Blog

Dear Church,

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

The year is coming to an end. Malls are decorated with colorful lights and sales are everywhere. It is a time to celebrate and for most people it is a time to shop. Shopping is not a bad thing especially when we are getting gifts to reward ourselves for all our hard work or for our loved ones. However, excessive and uncontrollable shopping is a negative thing. We need to ask ourselves if we really need the thing that we are thinking of buying or we simply want something new. Sometimes sales and discounts can be quite deceiving, in that they make us feel like we need something when we do not actually need it. Take sales like ‘buy one get another for free’ for example. Why do we need two toasters when one is enough? Do not be a compulsive shopper. Do not make any purchases out of the spur of the moment. Always plan your spending. Never buy with credit especially when you are in debt. Remember this – spend within your limit. Now that Arise and Build, Christmas and 2010 are looming, make sure that you take the time to plan your finances. Give every dollar you earn a vision. If you are saving up for a house, do not overspend on your holiday. If you are saving up to get married, do not buy any unnecessary gadgets. If you are saving up for your building fund, do not stray away from that focus. All of us can be easily distracted therefore the best way to keep us right on track is by having a plan and review it regularly. If we truly want to be successful in this area, then we need to be disciplined. We need to make the extra effort to ensure that we plan our money well. That way we will always have more than enough. Otherwise, how can we be generous? How can we give to God if we have nothing and are constantly in debt?

Money is a big and important subject in life. Our ability to handle money well will determine how much we can do for God in the area of mission and building His kingdom here on earth.

Remember, God is not against us having money but against money having us.

Be wise,

KEV