Instant Gratification

In the most recent few years, we've faced some challenging financial challenges as most people have in America. Shoot, tell me who hasn't, right?

Let's take a minute and get very real with each other. One of the problems we face in America is the idea that we can't live our lives another day without buying _____________ (fill in the blank). It doesn't matter what it is, but our media and marketing outlets have done an amazing job of "hooking" us to buy now even when we don't have the cash to do it.

What are some examples? "NO Payments/NO Interest til 2014", "0% Financing This weekend ONLY!", "We accept Installment Payments", and the list goes on and on...

The idea is to buy today on tomorrow's dime, right! WRONG! It's not Tomorrow's dime, It's next year and the next year and the next year's dimes TOO! Are you following me?

I told you I'm going to get very real with you here. The truth hurts, but according to Jesus, when we apply his teaching to our lives, we will know the truth and it will set us free (JN 8:31-32) KEY! When we APPLY his teachings.

See, at first, the Truth will absolutely Tick you off. I'm not talking about the Truth about others. NO! I'm talking about the Reality you live in.

Well, I told you I would blow your mind. Ready? Instant Gratification ruled my life. It absolutely ruled my life! If it was a deal, I couldn't say no! I had credit cards with 0% for 12 month offers on them. You'd better believe I used them all! I won't tell you how much debt we racked up, but your head would spin if I told you. UGLY!

In a workshop this weekend, I had the opportunity to "save" thousands of dollars on some continuing Ed courses offered in the future if I sign up today. If you've ever gone to a seminar, you know what I'm talking about. Well, my wife and I want to take these classes.

We made a vow to God and to ourselves to only pay cash as we go. If something is important to us, we will save the money over time and make only 1 payment for it. It killed me to pass on these deals today. In fact, it ticked me off a bit. Now, I am absolutely grateful we passed!

See, our money habits are not easy to change. In fact, they are some of the deepest ingrained habits we have. Changing them takes courage and integrity. When everything around us says gratify your desire NOW, it takes a lot of integrity to stand there eyeball to eyeball and say Not Now.

After all, who is in charge? You or Money? Who do you bow to? God or Money?

If you want to know just how intense your feelings are about money and who controls your life, take a $100 Bill today and burn it. Hold it out in front of you and light it up. When I did this, I got nausea in my belly. I found out quickly that MONEY was my master.

I declared it to be done! I master the tool money, and I serve God. Not the other way around!

Do you want FREEDOM? It does come at a cost. It will not be easy to attain, but it is completely attainable.

Set aside your immediate desires for longer term desires and you will master the Way of the ANT!

God Bless You!