So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. Genesis 25:33 NLT
As my wife checked out with our groceries and staples, I peered at a price tag and contemplated a decision.
I’ve always been an impatient type. Extra money makes me itch. On this occasion, I wanted a new computer and one more compact. Sam’s wholesale company had one on sale.
I ambled up to my wife with a long face. “They have one for less than two hundred dollars.”
“Well, buy it,” she replied.
I had her approval, but I hesitated. I’d never owned a Chromebook before. But impatience and desire took over. I made the purchase. Soon after, I discovered I’d acted on impulse without doing the necessary investigation. Most of what I do at school and church and with my writing requires Microsoft Word. Chromebook didn’t support Word.
Two weeks after acting on impulse, I bought another computer that suited my needs and advertised my Chromebook on Facebook for sale. Fortunately, I sold it quickly.
Esau acted on impulse too. He enjoyed hunting and had just returned from a hunting trip when he smelled the luscious stew his momma-boy brother was cooking. In haste, he traded his rights as the oldest child for a bowl of stew. Later, he hated his brother for stealing his birthright—but he couldn’t do anything about his loss.
When I want something badly enough, rationalization comes easily—convincing myself I need this particular thing . . . persuading myself spending money I don’t have is acceptable. Sometimes the pressure to buy isn’t internal, but external. Other people have what I want and they encourage me to get it also.
I didn’t do the most important thing before making my purchase: consult God. I didn’t have to get on my knees—or even close my eyes—but I could have prayed right there at the sales counter and asked His opinion. He can check my spirit and prick it one way or the other. Though I didn’t pray, I felt the prick—but ignored it.
I should also make purchases based on biblical principles. Am I spending money I don’t need to spend? Does owning this thing conflict with my testimony as a believer? Is making the purchase going to lead me into unnecessary debt?
God is more than able to give us wisdom for every purchase we make. Consult Him so you won’t act on impulse—and later regret it.
Tweetable: How's your patience level?
Prayer: Father, give us wisdom to use our money in ways that honor You.
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