Proverbs 19:1-2 "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth."
Maintaining integrity in poverty is better than being "well off" by means of fraud or foolishness. When the money is just not there, how do we go about getting it? In this type of testing, we should stick to Bible principles or find out what the Bible says about making ends meet – when faced with a financial dilemma. My husband and I have had our share of financial struggles. No struggle changes what God's Word says about able bodies working to eat, tithing to our local church, or paying our taxes. The LORD has faithfully provided our needs through the years and many times, in unexpected ways.
Ignorance is not good. The old quote, "Ignorance is bliss" is simply untrue. To claim repeated ignorance as an excuse for an action or for the lack of action is just that – an excuse. Ignorance is not a character trait to accept, but a deficiency to improve upon. God doesn't expect us to be masters of every known subject, but He does expect us to become knowledgeable about the areas in which He calls us to serve.
Acting without thinking or considering matters is sin. Another well known quote is, "Haste makes waste." How many times have I proven this statement true. When I view my haste as the Bible does -sin, it looks a lot more serious than I thought it to be. We heard our pastor say many times, "Hurry is the scourge of the morning." How true, yet how accepted in our day and times. One sure fire way to think before acting is to consult the Holy Spirit within for direction in every matter – even the small stuff.
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