Black Friday

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things

Colossians 3:2

I don't know about you but Black Friday is a HUGE thing where I live. I have friends who start planning their Black Friday escapade months in advance. They leave their warm and happy homes before midnight on Thanksgiving night in order to be the first in line at store after store just to save on items from their Christmas shopping lists. While I'm all about saving money and finding a bargain, I just can't get into this shop till you drop and spend everything you have plus...

Especially at this time of year we are all bombarded with endless television commercials, newspaper ads, and the constant admonition to spend, spend, spend. As Christians we need to be wise to how Satan tempts us with the temporal. Here are a few ways to avoid the magnetism of the cash register or the credit card.

Substitution Danger . . . substituting the temporal for the eternal. Don't let physical and earthly "things" get between you and the things that are above.

Impression Danger . . . trying to impress instead of imparting the Word. We are doing God's business, not ours.

Financial Danger . . . spending more than you have. Before every purchase, think:Is this within my budget? Is it appropriate?

Believing the Lie Danger . . . believing your purchase will make things "all right." Money won't buy happiness.

Make Hebrews 12:3 your aim: "Consider Him . . . so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."

Financial Motto: If you don't have the cash, don't buy it.

What plans do you have in place to keep your budget in check before heading out to the Black Friday madness?

Please share your tips and techniques to balancing your spending and your checkbook.