Denying Self Is Key To Economic Stability

After reading this MarketWatch article this morning as to why Millennials can't save any money, there are two key words that immediately come into this writer's mind: Denying self.

Our Lord taught this sacrificial concept in Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23. The question becomes, to what extent must we deny self? In his commentary on Matthew (Copyright by Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 1936, pg. 350-351), the late brother H. Leo Boles provides us with the following answer:

"The self-denial which one must practice to follow Jesus, is to deny oneself of all earthly comforts and conveniences, to quit all temporal interests and enjoyments, even life itself if need be .... As each one must deny himself, so each one must take up his own cross. No one is to make trouble for himself or deny himself of the natural blessings which are his, but one must use these blessings for the good of others. In prosperity, a disciple of Jesus must be humble and willing to submit, praying for strength when the day of trial comes; he must be willing to take the cross that may come his way."

A good example of denying self (financially speaking) in order to help others, can be found in 2 Corinthians 8, where Paul addresses the liberality of the churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. In giving to the needy saints, they gave far beyond their means (vs. 2), first giving themselves to the Lord, and then to the support of the apostles (vs's 3-5).

Beloved, denying oneself of the world's affluence (see here, here, and here), is not an easy thing to do, but a necessary thing to do in order for us to be blessed, and to be pleasing to the Lord who denied Himself the riches of heaven (Philippians 2:1-8), that through His earthly poverty (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58) we might become spiritually rich (vs. 9).

Note articles on frugal living here, here, here, here, and here, and simplifying our lives, by not spending ourselves into oblivion. Know these two things: (1) "the rainy day is coming" and (2) denying self is key to economic stability.

---Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets