Sometimes the Remedy is Behavior and Choices

Not too long ago, when the Five-Minute Friday word was “Possible”, I talked about my struggle with serious skin problems. The remedy was not the multiple, expensive, side-affect prescriptions of the dermatologist. The remedy was a combination of the prayers of many, and some dramatic changes in my eating and environment. As is often the case, the tonic we want is something we can gulp in five seconds to reverse a lifetime of bad choices or bad behavior. I needed something more disciplined that God used to bring relief.

Financial Tonics

Sometimes the “remedy” is worse than the problem.

Many want a quick fix for their financial woes. That is why there are “payday lenders.” A payday lender is really a legal mobster. You don’t want to go to the mob for help. Your life will be altered in ways you cannot imagine. Credit card and student loan debt are also tonics that might disappoint the careless person. Proverbs 22:7 spells it out clearly: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”

Jesus and Your Resources

Matthew 5:42 is one place where Jesus talks about how we should view our things: “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Perhaps if we did a lot less borrowing and interest-paying, we would have more to give to those with needs and more able to be able to give others something that will help them with a specific need. If someone needs your time, let them borrow it. You might be the cure that they need.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.