Greed...

~A person without self-control is like a city with broken down walls. Proverbs 25:28

Have you read The Mill on the Floss, by George Eliot? I had never even heard of the book until I found the movie under titles by this author. I own Daniel Deronda, which I received as a gift from my family this Christmas, and although I prefer this Eliot plotline to The Mill on the Floss, I am captivated with an idea presented in the story of the Mill.

Mr. Tulliver, the Mill owner, had a sister with no fortune, and in an effort of what he called brotherly kindness, he borrowed money so that Gritty, his sister, would have a fortune when she married. Over the course of many years, Gritty, now Mrs. Moss, nor her husband never pays the debt.

In an act of desperation over his own financial difficulties, Tulliver travels to his sister's home and asks about the money, if it is available. As a classic enabler, Tulliver's comments are meant to wound his sister, and after his satisfying verbal assult, he leaves, resolved that he should not require the debt to be paid because of her present situation.

In the course of the conversation, Tulliver makes a comment that has piqued my thoughts. He states that he knew Gritty should never have married this man, because he was so greedy that he knew they would always be poor.

Humph. I hadn't thought about the correlation, but yes, this is a nugget of truth. Greed can cause people to live hand to mouth. Everything they get, they consume. There is no restraint; nothing is set aside, it is all used.

Proverbs 21:20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

I "get" my grocery budget, and my babysitting money. After tithing on my babysitting earnings, the rest is put into savings for our debt snowball. From the grocery money, I attempt to save a small amount each payday.

I'm looking for ways to be more excellent in my thoughts and handling of money. I'd love to hear your comments about what I'm thinking, and how you handle what comes into your hands. Would you please leave a comment? Thanks!

Creating a place for Him to dwell...






The heart knows where it is at home.

Rest on Saturday, Church on Sunday

It's been our habit for some time now, to take rest on Saturdays. It's family time, quiet time, catch-up time after a hectic week.

A quiet instrumental cd is kept on repeat in the background, and comfy clothes are the choice of the day. If we're blessed, as we were today, we get to have a meal together at the table, the family altar.

And it is good.

Afterward, we have no requirements of each other. It's downtime, solace, decompressing.

I'm rejoicing today in my Father's wisdom in creating the Sabbath and rest.