I like being frugal. But frugality has its limits.
Let’s say you earn $50,000 a year. You are very frugal and save $20,000. At year’s end you are $20,000 richer. But if you increase your income by $20,000 and save only $10,000 you’ll be $30,000 ahead at the end of the year.
Here’s the point: No matter how frugal you are, you can never save more than you make. The best stewardship model balances saving money with investing time most profitably.
Let’s say for example a hamburger chain is offering free burgers, but there is 30 minute line to get one. You’ll likely come out ahead by skipping the line and spending that time reading a book that will advance your career or teach you a new income producing skill.
God wants us to save money. But savings alone, without generating new income, may be an incomplete formula for financial stewardship and for redeeming the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
