Guest Post: Frugality Without Fretting

Who isn’t inspired by the Proverbs 31 woman? She is the personification, first, of faith and, second, of hard work and frugality. Because she manages the family’s resources so well, her husband confidently takes his place as a community leader (vs. 23), her children are well-taught (vs. 25) and well cared for (vs. 21), the servants in her home benefit (vs. 15), and she even has enough to give to the poor and needy (vs. 20).

If we set out to be excellent wives after her example, we will be frugal without being fretful. This is a big lesson for me. Frugality does not come naturally to me, and I can become insecure in my efforts to improve.

By contrast, the Proverbs 31 woman sets her hope fully in the Lord (vs. 30). I can’t picture her being caught up in insecurity or worry. Can you? Her prudence and her industry proceed from a heart of faith.

Today, many people are anxious about money. Some families have experienced layoffs. Others have watched their homes decline in value or have labored under heavy mortgages. Others are doing well right now, but daily hear some bit of alarming financial news.

This year, we’d all do well to take a two-pronged approach to the management of our household’s assets. We need to 1) replace any temptation to worry with trust and 2) adapt our frugality to changing economic conditions.

Regarding the first prong, here are 5 reasons not to fret over finances:

1) Yes, earthly treasures are uncertain. This is true even in times of prosperity. Yet, the Lord invites us to place our hearts and our real treasures in heaven. We can rest secure that heavenly treasures will never be destroyed. Matthew 6: 19-24.

2) Our worth and our security are not measured by the abundance of our possessions. Luke 12:15. God, and not the size of our bank account, is the sure foundation for our times. Isaiah 33:6

3) If we are generous and give freely, God will take care of us. Luke 6:38

4) Blessings come when we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first in our lives. Matthew 6:30-33

5) God knows our needs. Matthew 6:32.

Our second prong is good stewardship of the Lord’s money. We must be wise in adapting to the current situation. Here are five things we can do along that line:

1) Evaluate carefully the cost and quality of products and services. 2009 is a whole new ballgame as far as these things are concerned. Some goods will become better deals than they were last year, while others will increase in cost and/or decline in quality.

2) Establish a six-month supply of non-perishable goods. Work this into your budget one item or so a week. This stash will come in handy in the event of a financial emergency.

3) Jump on the do-it-yourself bandwagon, if you haven’t already. In order to cut costs, many women are taking up the old-fashioned arts of homemaking again. Now’s the time to save money by creative home keeping.

4) Remember, our country has survived many economic crises and will likely do so again. Perhaps, our nation’s troubles will be short-lived; perhaps they will last for a decade; perhaps -- though it is unlikely – the U.S. economy will never recover. Whatever happens, the best thing we can all do is to stay calm, to work prudently toward our financial goals, and to place our security in the Lord and not in wealth.

About the author Elizabeth @ A Merry Rose: Blooming as Keeper of my Home

I adore being a wife to my dear hubby, as well as a mother to two grown children and their wonderful spouses. I have loved reading and story-telling ever since childhood. In college, I majored in Journalism and minored in French and English literature. Since then, I have been a part-time freelance magazine writer and public relations writer. I also dabble in fiction, and I won an award for a novel proposal. I look forward to growing as a disciple of the Lord and as a keeper of my home.