DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: DECEMBER 19 PRUDENCE AS THANKSGIVING SCRIPTURES: PROV. 12: 23; 22: 3
Globally, it has been witnessed years back that Christmas period witnesses peoples’ recklessness in spending, involving self in ugly things to save money for the period as well as carelessness in engaging one in journey which most often, caused loss of lives. The baffling thing here is that this phenomenon has been repeatedly engaged in annually. This is why today’s devotional looks into how being Prudence can be taken as thanksgiving.
The word “prudent” conveys the meaning of being “wise or judicious in practical affairs.” One definition that is appealing as regards this discussion says prudent means being “practical and careful in providing for the future.” This has been what the “Spirit of Christmas ” has never allowed many people do to themselves. Many people, whether Christians or not and especially in Africa had allowed themselves wrecked down financially at Christmas period. They could not practically and carefully plan for the future’s provisions. This is actually a wrong way of appreciating God for bringing Jesus Christ into this world.
Christians should know that wasting all that came into hands to celebrate Christmas is a sign of ingratitude to God. Jesus’ birth was not for wasting money, wasting lives and materials. It pains a giver when what is given is wasted within a very short hour. God might see us as ingrates to Him when we waste all He gave for sake of Christmas. Using wisdom to carefully, cautiously and judiciously plan our lives and how we spend our incomes is a sign of great fullness to God. When we take Prudence for Thanksgiving to God, He pours out more of His blessings upon us.
Being prudent with what God gives us amounts to placing value on His gifts and refusing to treat His given materials and money judiciously is a sign that we are not thankful to God. Recklessness with our lives is a predominant behaviour at Christmas period too. The “I must go to my traditional home for Christmas ” has consumed lives, properties and money recklessly in Africa. This again makes Christmas period an evil period. When our actions are interpreted foolishness it means we are not prudent (Prov. 12: 23. When we plan ourselves to run into misfortune it is interpreted evil, and therefore, never Prudence. We must hide ourselves from what will result in evil occurrence. This is prudence (Prov. 22: 3).
PRAYER:
LORD JESUS, your birth is not for reckless and foolish spending and enjoyment. Release Spirit of wisdom upon me to be prudent with money and resources during this Christmas. Amen.
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