Can You Get Something for Nothing?

I did it again this week. On Monday I caught myself making one of the Big Stupid Money Mistakes that the Bible warns about.

It started when my brother sent me a photo of his new track bike--he's getting geared up for the racing season. Naturally, I had a serious case of bike envy. I started shopping bikes on the Internet, comparing prices, drooling over road bikes that cost far more than I can afford.

And there it is, Big Stupid Money Mistake #1: Thinking more about how to spend money than about how to earn it.

That kind of thinking is what has put many people deep into debt. Depending on whom you believe, the average household debt in the U.S., not counting mortgage debt, is about $14,500. Some 40 percent of American families annually spend more than they earn. Average credit card debt, depending on which figures you use, is between $8,400 and $9,200 per year.

This week I'm beginning a teaching series on personal finances titled More than Enough. I'm using a tagline borrowed from John Wesley, who said, "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." My theory is that God has given us more than enough resources to live--and to thrive. We just need to learn what to do with them.

Industry, thrift, and generosity are the three core principles we'll explore. This week, the value of work, based on Prov. 6:6-11.

As I'm organizing my thoughts, I keep wondering why we are so resistant to the idea of hard work? Why is it always easier to sit on the couch than do the dishes? Why are we so consumed by the idea of getting rich quick, hitting the lottery, or getting something for nothing?

Where does the (stupid) notion come from that we can gain wealth for free? And why is it so easy to believe?