26 - Can We Actually Be Thankful for Inflation?
March 27, 2022
Everything is more expensive now -- that's no longer news. The question for us as families is: how will we respond in this moment? In this episode, we encourage your family to think of it as an opportunity -- yes, an opportunity -- to teach your kids -- and remind yourself -- that God is in control. He's not surprised in the least. This is a moment of "tightening the belt" for many families, including ours. But it's also a moment to lean into the LORD and be thankful for His goodness and provision.
Everything is more expensive now -- that's no longer news. The question for us as families is: how will we respond in this moment? In this episode, we encourage your family to think of it as an opportunity -- yes, an opportunity -- to teach your kids -- and remind yourself -- that God is in control. He's not surprised in the least. This is a moment of "tightening the belt" for many families, including ours. But it's also a moment to lean into the LORD and be thankful for His goodness and provision.
In this episode, we discuss:
In this episode, we discuss:
- A story from London about how an interruption allowed people to find a better way and how this current interruption of inflation could be the same for our families
- Presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4)
- A look at Matthew 6 and things we can teach our kids about God's provision and how having less actually may help us to grow in our faith
- God is our provider -- not just of material blessings but of all things we need: relationships, community, salvation, hope, love, wholeness, peace, joy and so many other wonderful things we could list.
- One of God's names if Jehovah Jireh, The LORD Our Provider.
- Learning to be content (Philippians 4)
- Learning to live with less and how we can learn a lot from those who grew up in the Great Depression
- Engaging with community in your efforts
- The value of having a budget and tracking expenses
- Our story of how budgeting actually helped to bring us together when we met (no joke!!)
- How budgeting allows stress-free spending
- Helping your kids learn to live with less is a GIFT
- Ideas on how to save money or cut back on expenses
- using the library
- shopping at consignment sales
- engaging in free activities -- hiking, parks, biking, tennis, board games
- cutting back on streaming services
- asking for better pricing on things like insurance
- Saving money on food
- meal planning
- limiting eating out
- choosing fresh foods that are still cheap (eggs, cottage cheese, vegetables)
- making your own food (bread, yogurt, granola, bone brother)
- limiting the number of times you go to the grocery store
- Involve your kids in the kitchen - they will probably just at the chance
- The greater our financial stewardship, the stronger our marriages and families will be, and the better equipped we will be to do what He's called us to
Scriptures referenced:
- Psalm 77
- Philippians 4:6-7; Philippians 4:12-13
- Matthew 6:25-45
- Genesis 22
- Genesis 30 (Jacob and Laban)
- Genesis 39-47 (Joseph)
- Exodus 16 (manna & quail) / Numbers 11 (quail)
- 1 Kings 17 (Elijah and the widow at Zarephath)
- Nehemiah
- Daniel
- Acts 2
- Deuteronomy 8
- Hebrews 10:24-25
References & Resources:
- Overheard in an Orchard (by Elizabeth Cheney)
- The hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- The hymn Praise to the LORD, The Almighty
- Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey)
- Crown Financial Ministries
Music:
- Intro: Life of a Traveler, by Black Rhomb (License #3565685)
- Outtro: Avocado Street, by Wes Hutchinson (Courtesy of YouTube Music)
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