Pearls of Wisdom
The more you have, the more you have to take care of.
This Pearl of Wisdom challenges us to really think about what it is we want.
We might say we want a bigger house, but do we also want to clean all that extra space? Do we want to pay the higher electricity or gas bills that go along with it? Do we really want the large mortgage or rental payments too?
We might say we want that promotion at work, but do we also want the longer commute that goes with it? We want the pay increase, but do we want to deal with the responsibility and associated stress?
The more we have and want, the more we have to take care of, pay for and devote time to.
I am not suggesting you become a minimalist, unless that is what you want, but I am asking you to carefully consider what new things you buy or what additional responsibilities you take on.
The Bible warns us to count the cost before we begin, and that is good advice! Putting it another way, try not to get caught up in the excitement of a new purchase or liftsyle choice without first thinking about all of its implications.
The good thing about this advice is that it can also be applied retrospectively. It is not just about what you take on in future. If you have failed to count the cost in the past, biting off more than you can chew, you can make changes now. Admittedly that’s harder if you’ve bought a house, as selling up and downsizing is no small decision. If you have bought items of furniture or a car even that is just too much to handle right now, you can sell them on or even give them away. You might lose some money in the deal, but you may gain peace. Peace is worth more than gold.
Before we commit to anything new, let each of us consider whether we really do want it. What we have needs looking after, and if our time is already stretched, adding to that to-do list will not help.
Are you on the verge of a decision – big or small – and need to consider this? Does your diary, bank statement or cluttered home scream that you have more on your plate than you can handle? Only you can make the change.
In case you missed it…
Andy Brown 
My line of thought these past few weeks. 👍👍👍
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Thanks for your comment. I have been pondering the phrase counting the cost a fair bit lately! Thanks for reading
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It has somehow affirmed what I have been pondering on. I thank the Lord. And thank you too.
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Wise words Andy. I see a lot of young people heading into the City by the lure of high salaries because of staff shortages but those high salaries come at a cost. Huge demands on them to bill, bill, bill, long hours, stress and pressure. Counting the cost indeed.
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Yes, you are quite right. I’ve done jobs I loved and jobs I hated, and when you are doing something that you do not enjoy, it takes a real toll on you. Of course, we must each work to pay the bills but taking on more than we can handle is a risk indeed
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“Peace is worth more than gold.”
Oh, so very true!!!
“Before we commit to anything new, let each of us consider whether we really do want it. What we have needs looking after, and if our time is already stretched, adding to that to-do list will not help.”
Such wise advice here Andy – truly! If only we would, each of us, consider this, and check with God whether the ‘good’ thing before is a God thing for us
Andy B
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Love this Andy: Before we commit to anything new, let each of us consider whether we really do want it.
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Thank you very much. I’ve learnt this lesson the hard way! Often jumping into things which I regretted later!
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