saved

I have always been a saver. I am sure that part of it was because I was taught to save, but part of it also has to do with a genuine concern about what I would do if I needed the savings and I didn't have it. A final large part of it came from the fact that I learned that saving was the only way I would be able to make a large purchase.

One of the people I work with does not believe in fully utilizing savings. This isn't an issue of math. His stance is that there is no such thing as security, so stressing yourself out to create a false sense of security is pointless. I have taken some issue with this perspective, mostly on mathematical grounds, but he does have one point that bothers me.

What gets under my skin is determining what the Biblical perspective is. The only book in the Bible that might be considered explicitly to back saving money might be Ecclesiastes. Jesus and Paul both made comments that actually implied saving money was less than ideal. What I struggle with is how much of saving money is due to responsibility and how much is due to worry or greed? Are savings a false sense of security? Is it irresponsible not to save?

I have seen people who did not save anything throughout life and expected family, friends, and/or government to take care of them when they were old. This can't be right. Refusing to be generous with those in need because I need a set amount in my savings or 401(k) doesn't seem quite right either. Then again, if Jesus saves, shouldn't I as well?