RM10 a day

This morning I feel so moved to write this article especially for my young readers. It is not specific to any individual but a general advice to all the youngsters who are very dear to me.

Do you know that in my country, one can survive with RM10 a day (~ USD $3.2). Yes, it is fact and I am one of them who spend RM10 a day. For example, a breakfast will cost an average of RM 2.00 (I small teh tarik [tea] and 1 roti kosong tambah kari [local pan cake with extra curry]), RM4.00 for lunch (Economy Rice with 1 meat dish and 2 vegetable) and dinner RM4.00 (meals at food court or tosai or capati).

A lot of people especially the youngsters will tend to disagree with me on the amount above. Today breakfast itself will cost more than RM 10 for some of them...e.g. breakfast at Coffee Bean or Starbucks. For some, RM10 is the amount they use daily to purchase their mobile prepaid top-ups.

Times like this, it is important that we are prudent in our spending. Youngsters, listen up !!! Many of you are still being supported by your parents. Do take note that the pocket money that your parents give you comes from the hard work that they have to toil everyday. I am speaking this from experience. Even us, the adults, are starting to tighten our belts especially in our spending. Recently, my PATI club members (my unofficial social club) agreed that when we go out for a meal, the cost per head should not be more than RM15. Mind you that many of my PATI friends are managers in large organization.

Youngsters, count it a blessing with money that you have today. They are many who don’t even have RM10 a day for meal. We need to glorify God with the money that we have. So, now start asking the question, “God in what way can I best use this money so that it bring honors and glorifies You!” Let God be part in your money decisions. You’ll be shocked with how much joy you’ll end up with when you are concerned that God is worshiped in your money spending decisions.

Great wisdom is found in the saying, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Let us find our satisfaction in glorifying God! When we spend our money with God in mind, God gets the glory and we get the joy!

Proverbs 21:20 says “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” In order not to be considered as foolish, we should learn to spend our money wisely. Do not buy things impulsively, without thinking, but take time to consider whether the need is proportional to the cost.

We need to make stewardship as a way of life.

Be blessed.