5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDIES Thriftiness vs. Extravagance "Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary" THRIFTINESS – A Five-Minute Study Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Contributed by Ron Wallie Husband and Father of Nine, Southington, OH July 2, 2003 THRIFTINESS Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary. BIBLICAL EXAMPLE – JESUS When we think of thrifty people, we are unlikely to think of Jesus. There are probably a number of reasons for this. One reason may be that he had few worldly possessions—just the clothes he was wearing. In other words, Jesus was poor; and we do not think of poor people as being thrifty. Another reason may be that Jesus gave all he had of value to hostile sinners: He gave his life for us. And to the world, this seems like a waste. Jesus’ death was not a waste for those who believe in him. In John 1:12, we read that those who believe in him become children of God. How is this possible? Jesus’ death was wages for sin—not his sin—but our sin. Through his death, he paid our wages for our sin. In Romans 6:23, it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No one can put a value on eternal life: You cannot buy it. You cannot get it except through the death of Jesus Christ. The Apostle, Peter says, “. . . you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a Lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” I Peter 1:18. There is another reason why Jesus’ death was not a waste. He overcame death. Death could not keep him. He is alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father. Therefore, both his death and resurrection validate his deity and our salvation. The evidence is there that his death was not in vain and our faith is not in vain. Jesus also taught thrift in his parables. One such parable in Luke 16 talks about a steward who squandered his master’s possessions. One lesson is in verse 11: If we are not faithful with earthly things, we will not be entrusted with the true riches. What are the true riches? Jesus does not enumerate them, but we have already discussed one—eternal life. THRIFTINESS IN OUR LIVES Read the parable in Luke 16 for other lessons about taking care of earthly possessions. The following statements are here to help us be thrifty: I will save more and spend less. I will make good use of what I already have. I will look for the best value. I will budget my money, time, and energy. I will not confuse what I need with what I want. THRIFTINESS IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK Jesus teaches us in many of his parables the value of taking good care of what we own and what others own. In fact, he teaches us that we are sinning if we are not careful with earthly possessions. If we want to be trusted with that which is valuable, we must prove ourselves trustworthy with those things of lesser value. But the starting point is recognizing the value of Jesus’ death for us. There are a lot of thrifty people who are going to hell. Why? They are careful with their earthly possessions to the neglect of that which has more value—their own soul. They have not taken the time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, the one who paid the wages for their sin. Therefore, they have wasted the most valuable possession offered them—eternal life. Read another parable found in Luke 12:16-21 about a rich man who neglected God. Purpose that you will not make the same fatal mistake with your life.   This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.