‘’And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from… ‘Mat 6:13 NKJV

Jimmy Choo shoes

Prada bag

Vivienne Westwood costume

Versace Perfume

Brazilian lace wig

Berluti shoes

Savil row outfits

and what is that again that tickles a man’s fancy?

Shana earned a lot of money from a contract she secured for her bank.To celebrate her success,like most women her age,she decided to take her girls out on a shopping spree .They toured the best designer stores in town.With the many discount ,sales,purchase X, Y, Z for the price of X everywhere,the world around her enticed the excited lady to spend and spend until she lost count of her needs for tomorrow .She,with the help of her girlies surely did paint the town red!

I’m sure sometimes we’re guilty of loosing count and spending until we’re left gobsmacked by our very own acts, right? I don’t blame you.There is just so much in place to convince people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.Advertisers,manufactures and producers are with the aim of turning us the consumers into compulsive buyers.Sadly,our insatiable desire to accomodate this enticement is gradually destroying lives,homes and relationships.

In life,there is always a want and there is also a need.A want is something we would love to have even though it is not an immediate necessity.A want always seems appealing.Our minds even make them come into sight as a need.A need on the other hand is something that is essential, indispensable, required; a lack that must be fulfilled. It is something you have to have or without it your life will be exposed to hazardous risks.Food,clothes,shelter are few things each man needs to keep them functioning well.

Some other things however fall in both categories –a need and a want.If you choose to eat meat on a specific day of the week for instance, there certainly would be more than a few options on the shelves of a grocery store.Lamb fillet for a fiver a pack or Japanese Kobe-style meat for a whooping 60 quid at just 200 grammes.Now, honestly, what would be a need and what will be a want in this case? John.W.Frick once said, “Don’t tell me where your priorities are.Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.”

We can’t spend all we want,run out of money and then blame God for our financial woes!Every money problem needs some taming or even counselling and help.There has been countless stories of rich folks who have ended their lives because they failed to tell between their wants and needs Spending frivolously, getting entwined in debts,they trapped themselves in a spider’s web they could scarcely escape.

Stress, worry, depression, loneliness,a feeling of incompleteness or low self-esteem should never trigger you into spending on what you don’t need. It’s terrific to look good, drive the nicest car, live in a mansion, etc but at what or whose expense? There is surely a time for everything .If you cannot afford the good life without entangling yourself in bad credit, then great!

Compulsive spending is only an alternative to momentary happiness. Of what use is it to be happy for a minute and the next have a bailiff calling at the door post or reliable collections threatening every now and then? The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty. But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Prov 21:5)

I pray God in His grace will teach us how to distinguish between a need and a want so we can live debt-free. I pray we will walk in a way that we won’t be given to the spirit that urges us to buy beyond our purse.The enemy’s goal is to constantly push us to a limit where we become slaves within ourselves.You can’t help him destroy you. Buying stuff with money we don’t have or that can go into a more worthy cause or even better, a financial return is a ruse of the enemy.It’s ultimate result is destruction.John 10:10!

The next time you’re on a compulsive shopping spree or in ‘high buying spirit’, have a breather, a re-think and question your motive:’do I really NEED this or do I just BADLY WANT it?’ Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.Prov 25:28

Like an ant,let’s consider our ways and be wise.Having no guide, overseer, or ruler, she provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest so when the time of need arises; she knows she has more than enough to see her through.

‘’Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.’’ Prov 4:25

Spending a lot of money will get you trapped into thinking you are having a good time when all you are doing is spending a lot of money. – From Career Success WITHOUT a Real Job

Selah!
©Adja A.R Dibassey 2011