[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]CopingWith Hard Economic Times[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Be diligent. “Thelazy one is showing himself desirous, but his soul has nothing.However, the very soul of the diligent ones will be made fat.”(Proverbs 13:4) The lesson? Develop the reputation of being anhonest, hard worker. Good workers are greatly valued by employers andmay be more likely to be the first ones hired and the last onesfired.—Ephesians 4:28.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Consider the costbefore buying. Jesus said: “Who of you that wants to build atower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if hehas enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28) Although Jesus wasillustrating the need to count the cost of becoming one of hisfollowers, his words are obviously true in a literal sense. Soprepare a budget, listing your real needs and the costs.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Do not waste money onbad habits. Such practices as gambling, smoking, and drug andalcohol abuse are all bad in God’s eyes.—Proverbs 23:20, 21;Isaiah 65:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Avoid “the love ofmoney.” (Hebrews 13:5) Money lovers are bound to sufferunhappiness and disillusionment, in effect, ‘stabbing themselvesall over with many pains.’ (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) What ismore, they become slaves to an insatiable appetite, for no matter howmuch they have, it is never enough.—Ecclesiastes 5:10.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Learn contentment.“We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carryanything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be contentwith these things.” (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) People who arecontent with less may be able to avoid becoming overly anxious whenthe economy takes a downturn. So learn to live contentedly withinyour means.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]None of us know whattomorrow holds. “Time and unforeseen occurrence befalls all,”says Ecclesiastes 9:11. The wise, therefore, “rest their hope, noton uncertain riches, but on God,” who has promised his loyal ones:“I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsakeyou.”—1 Timothy 6:17; Hebrews 13:5.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Be diligent. “Thelazy one is showing himself desirous, but his soul has nothing.However, the very soul of the diligent ones will be made fat.”(Proverbs 13:4) The lesson? Develop the reputation of being anhonest, hard worker. Good workers are greatly valued by employers andmay be more likely to be the first ones hired and the last onesfired.—Ephesians 4:28.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Consider the costbefore buying. Jesus said: “Who of you that wants to build atower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if hehas enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28) Although Jesus wasillustrating the need to count the cost of becoming one of hisfollowers, his words are obviously true in a literal sense. Soprepare a budget, listing your real needs and the costs.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Do not waste money onbad habits. Such practices as gambling, smoking, and drug andalcohol abuse are all bad in God’s eyes.—Proverbs 23:20, 21;Isaiah 65:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Avoid “the love ofmoney.” (Hebrews 13:5) Money lovers are bound to sufferunhappiness and disillusionment, in effect, ‘stabbing themselvesall over with many pains.’ (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) What ismore, they become slaves to an insatiable appetite, for no matter howmuch they have, it is never enough.—Ecclesiastes 5:10.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Learn contentment.“We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carryanything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be contentwith these things.” (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) People who arecontent with less may be able to avoid becoming overly anxious whenthe economy takes a downturn. So learn to live contentedly withinyour means.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]None of us know whattomorrow holds. “Time and unforeseen occurrence befalls all,”says Ecclesiastes 9:11. The wise, therefore, “rest their hope, noton uncertain riches, but on God,” who has promised his loyal ones:“I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsakeyou.”—1 Timothy 6:17; Hebrews 13:5.[/FONT]