Have you ever studied the life of ants? Sounds like a crazy question, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not my question. It’s Solomon’s. He said: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Prov. 6:6-8). Solomon is talking about financial planning.
While we are young and strong—working and getting a steady income—we should be putting monies aside for our winter years. If the ants can gather food during summer and harvest time, in anticipation of the coming winter, so can we. If you read Proverbs 6:9-11, you will see a fuller picture of the wisdom behind planning for the future when there is no steady income stream.
True financial freedom comes as you learn the discipline of planning for the future. This means that we have to control our present spending habits despite the vastness of our current needs. Winter is coming! Savings must occur, even if you’re putting aside $10 every paycheck.
If you have to set-up an automatic deduction from your pay in order to have a growing savings account, do it. Some of us need that rigidity in order to have funds for retirement. The thinking is: if I don’t see the money, I won’t be tempted to spend it. If that’s what you need to model the ant’s behavior of savings, then do it! Make the necessary arrangements this coming week.
Remember, procrastination is a thief of time! If you keep putting it off for another time…a better time…a more convenient time, it will never happen.
Although ants are good at hoarding food during summer in anticipation of the winter, I don’t like ants. Post a funny story you experienced with ants.
I will resume new postings to my blog on Monday, April 4th. Get ready to encounter God in worship this weekend! Also come prepared to receive a powerful word that will inspire you to successfully continue our Financial Empowerment Journey! We’re almost at the end. Strive to finish well!
The Parable of the Ant & the Grasshopper
ReplyDeleteThe ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The shivering grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
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