My Cents' (and sense) Worth

Ok so I usually try to stay out of "hot" topics... and don't get involved in many people's opinions. But I read something this weekend that really bugged me and I would like to comment.

I read a blog from a mom who equated saving for college with buying plastic surgery for your kids. Now this mom is a believer and stated that her job isn't to make her kids happy, but to teach them contentment. Bravo. Totally on board, totally trackin'. And then she says that she is purposefully NOT saving for her kids. Because her job is not to make them happy......ummm

WOW. SO basically, because I choose to save what little we have to prepare my children for life, I might as well take my daughter to the Beverly Hills "med-spa" for graduation.

This is what I'd like to say: we don't put our faith and hope in money or college. Our hope and future is solely found in Jesus Christ. At the same time, our King commanded that we steward our money wisely. He commended the shrewd manager for the way he handled his money- making it grow. Just because funds are tight doesn't mean I'm not called to be wise. I save not because I don't trust, but because I DO. I trust God enough to actually obey Him and handle my money wisely. I trust Him enough to not spend that extra $20 and put it into a savings account.

Guess what? We live on earth. We inhabit this world, though it is not our home. And guess what else? Part of being ready for this world may be attending college. I understand not everyone has to go, but I gonna assume that in about 18 years, at least one of my kids will want some kind of higher education or training. Let's face it: most jobs, even in ministry, go better if you've got preparation. And preparation is rarely free.

At the very least, I don't want money to be the thing that hinders them from following God's calling. Something like "You need a plane ticket to Africa? No problem." Or how about "You'd like to intern at the Coastlands? I think we could help with that." Our saving will be a means of facilitating God's work through their lives.

So no, my job isn't to make my children happy. It is my job to equip my children. It is my job to model wise stewardship. It is my job to teach them to trust our mighty God and follow His principles with all their hearts. I want them to learn that by managing our resources wisely, they will be free to follow God's calling. They won't be stuck at home, working at Starbucks, trying to pay off student loans. Nope. By God's grace, they will be passionately running the race and running it well.

And that, my friends, is why I save.....even if someone thinks it's like buying boobs.