Page 124 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

THE PROSPEROUS WAY

'than in the category of housing. To avoid the house poor syndrome so
prevalent today, I strongly believe that ideally only 30% (but if necessary
40%) of disposable income should be spent on housing. Therefore, with
20% allocated for “Tomorrow,” and 30-40% allocated to housing, that
leaves 40-50% of disposable income to “live on” today.

I am not by any means saying that there is anything wrong with
wanting a comfortable and beautiful home. I do and I am sure so do
you. This is especially true if you have children that need room for crafts
and play. But the key is being contented with such things as we
presently have, or more correctly, as we can presently afford! So, we
pray and ask God to bring us the most beautiful home that we can
possibly afford now within our present means . As God’s favour and the
work of our hands bring increase, there will come a time when we are
able to afford the dream home that we have already built a hundred
times over in our minds.

So, one of the first things that we should ask if we find ourselves deeply
in debt is this: Am I living in a home that is quite simply beyond my
present means? Examine your heart and ask yourself honestly whether
the place in which you live has become to you a burden that you really
cannot afford but don’t know how to relinquish. Depending on the
answer, you may have to tackle the situation head on and begin to make
some difficult, but necessary, adjustments.

You may have to take a step of faith and search for a job with better pay
although it may be outside of your “comfort zone.” Or you may choose
to pray and believe God that He can give you supernatural favour to
find a place that you will be proud to call home, but which you can
genuinely afford. Then put your faith into action and launch your
search. It is possible that a more affordable alternative can’t be found in
your current neighbourhood, and you may decide to move into the
suburbs and accept a longer commute. Or you may begin to look for a
job in another location where housing is more affordable. Perhaps you
will decide to share an apartment with friends or supplement your
income by renting out a room in your home to an individual or family
member that you can trust and live easily with. Or perhaps you will give
up your car and take public transit until your income catches up (as one
friend of mine has done). None of these changes are easy. But be guided
by the Scripture:

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