Wednesday, January 2, 2013












January 1, 2013

Today's Photograph . . . . Generosity Is Still More A Matter Of The Condition Of Our Heart Than Our Pocketbook (MQ)
Happy New Year
May God richly bless each of you as we grow closer to Him.
Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 27:23-24
Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. (NASB)

Thoughts
A new year is here bringing, with it hope-filled resolutions--possibly ones that include outdoor challenges, and some that may fall unresolved before the first month of 2013 is over.

Nevertheless, it is a great time to review our life, both the physical and the spiritual. The Bible warns us in many places that we need to be diligent with all that we have, and, of course. this includes our finances. In Bible times, a person's flocks were the source of his wealth. It was the equivalent of having money in the bank. When Solomon tells us to know well the condition of our flocks, he is telling us to know our financial condition.

We are also told that we are to be generous. Knowing our financial condition can allow us to be generous. I say can, because generosity is still more a matter of the condition of our heart than our pocketbook.
(Dave H)

Action Point
Everyone needs to have a budget and learn to live on that budget. This is a wonderful time to sit down with your family and develop a budget for the year. Making the budget a family planning event will do wonders.

You will, of course, include your hunting and fishing trips in the budget. The family can see how much it will cost for your outdoor trips so they won't be surprised by it when the time comes. Don't try to hide it from them. Include them! Plan the family vacation around the hunt.

When you develop your budget, be sure to include your gifts to the Lord in it. The Bible tells us to plan on what we are going to give to the Lord. Don't make it a last-minute, haphazard thing. Making a plan on how much you will give to the Lord is another way of showing praise and honor to Him.

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Not only is this a great time to plan the family budget, it is also a great time to go through your equipment so that you can see what will need to be replaced before next season. That way you can look for sales throughout the year. You can also save money by buying it used. There are many great values to be had on the used market.