I’m Daniel Whyte III and you’re listening to The Man in the Mirror, Episode 73
This podcast is directed to all young people, but primarily to young black men, young black women, and their parents. We are thankful for all the people who are standing up for justice and racial equality. But this podcast is about the man in the mirror. What are you doing for the glory of God, to make life better for others, for your family, and for yourself? This podcast is about living life in such a way that it cuts back on the chance of being harassed or killed by the authorities or anyone else and helps you to live the good life of peace and joy.
Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.”
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
In keeping with our theme of dealing with the man (or woman) in the mirror, we are going to continue discussing the building of important biblical character traits in your life. Today, we are looking at the quality of Thriftiness, Part 2 from the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
4. Thriftiness is having only those personal possessions that are functional. Jesus is the ultimate example of thriftiness. He owned only the things that were essential for life and ministry. When He sent out the twelve disciples, He “gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece”. Paul also understood how temporal things can be a hindrance to effectiveness in the work of the Lord. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”.
5. Thriftiness is making offers rather than asking for quotes. The wisdom that God gave Solomon included the ability to gain and retain riches. He compared a man’s responsibility to preserve his riches with a woman’s responsibility to maintain her purity. “A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches”. Solomon provides a significant example of negotiating for the best buy through his business dealings with King Hiram. First, Solomon reaffirmed the friendship that existed between his father, David, and King Hiram. Then he explained the importance of the building he was planning for the God of Heaven. He requested lumber from King Hiram’s forests, but he himself supplied the labor, which greatly reduced the cost. Then he made his offer: “Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great. And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil”. Solomon also advises the buyer that a seller will inflate the value of his products, and this must be counteracted in a gracious way. “It is nought, it is nought, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth”.
Now, in closing, in order to be saved — in order to get right with God — you cannot look at the man in the mirror, but the Man Christ Jesus. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how.
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can have a home in Heaven. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless you.
BCNN1 WP 