2. Living in a culture where we are crushed on both sides by unreasonable expectations of wealth and the lure of “gotta have it now” debt (not to mention other “life issues” that might pop up), it is easy to see how the simple concept of saving money has become lost to us.

3. Fewer than one in four Americans have enough money in their savings account to cover at least six months of expenses, enough to help cushion the blow of a job loss, medical emergency or some other unexpected event. 50% have less than a three-month cushion and 27% have no savings at all.

4. Proverbs 6: 6-8 6 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

5. Save $$$ for 3 Primary Reasons: 1.) Emergency / Rainy Day Fund * 3 - 6 months of Expenses 2.) Save up & Pay Cash for Things 3.) Invest Money

6. “Money needlessly spent is a double loss. Not only is it gone, but its potential for earnings disappears. Had we set it aside, it could have been multiplying on earth through savings or in Heaven through giving.” - Randy Alcorn

7. Proverbs 21:20 "Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil, but foolish people devour all they have.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although saving is wise, the motive for our saving matters:  Steward / Provide for family  Fear (Exodus 16: 16-20)  Selfishness (James 5: 1-5)

9. Proverbs 13:22 “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children”

10. In Old Testament times, it was essential that parents pass land ownership to their children and grandchildren. Many were too poor to buy land. With no inheritance, they would end up enslaved or unable to care for their parents and grandparents who lived on the property with them.

11. In Western countries, inheritances are usually financial “windfalls” that come to people who:  live separate from parents  have regular income from their own work, skills, and investing  already have far more than they need

12. “The almighty dollar bequeathed to a child is an almighty curse. No man has the right to handicap his son with such a burden as great wealth. He must face this question squarely: ‘Will my fortune be safe with my boy and will my boy be safe with my fortune?’” - Andrew Carnegie

13. “Inherited wealth is as certain death to ambition as cocaine to morality.” - Cornelius Vanderbilt “Fortunes tend to self-destruction by destroying those who inherit them.” - Henry Ford ------------------------------------------------------- Proverbs 20:21 “An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed at the end.”

14. John Wesley’s books and hymns sold over $76,600, yet at the time of his death he only had $42.92. This wasn’t due to poor financial planning. He wrote in his journal: “I judge all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.”

15. Web Seminar this Thursday at 11:00 A.M. From The Free Methodist Foundation Call: 1-800-325-8975, ext. 810 Email: webinar@fmfoundation.org Web: http://fmfoundation.org/#webinar