What is temptation?  Wikipedia defines temptation as: “A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.”

Spending temptation is all around us!  The holidays are fast approaching and already Christmas commercials are being shown on television! We are in a generation of instant gratification and “I want it now” mentality.  I know it is easy to succumb to the marketing temptations that surround us and spend money needlessly. I’m definitely not here to tell you how you should spend your hard earned dollars.  I just want you take another look at spending it with the right intention in mind.  It took me years to figure this out and I finally got it.  Catherine Ponders writes: “Money is wonderful because it is divine substance; that money is good when rightly used.” 

Right Attitude.  It is important that you have the right attitude about money.  In Pink Floyd’s 1973 hit song: “Money so they say is the root of all evil today”.  No it isn’t.  Randy Gage eloquently states: “Money is infinite.  With the right prosperity consciousness, your abundance-and your ability to do good with it –grows every year.”   Sometimes money is tight but don’t fret over it.  Ask yourself “Is this a need or a want?”  If it’s a want, put some money aside each month so you can purchase that “want” at a later time; delayed gratification. 

Give Something.   One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I have always believed in this and several times a year I go through my house and package up the clothes, extra perishable food items and donate to shelters and the local charities in my community.  When I want something new in my closet I give it away first.  I practice the vacuum law of prosperity which in turn, invokes the law of reciprocity.  The more you give the more you get back. “You cannot get something for nothing, but that you can have the best of everything when you give full measure for the good you wish to receive.” 

This final lesson I learned from Catherine Ponder really resonated with me regarding prosperity consciousness and having the right mindset about money and spending it.  “This is definitely not the time to talk lack, to withhold, or to practice stringent economy.  Instead, this is the time to use up to the last of your financial assets to the last penny – if necessary. If you withhold, talk about financial lack at this point, it will cost you double. Instead, look up mentally and give thanks for the substance you already have to send out.”   What I took from this lesson; when I pay all my bills (which I now call blessings) I send that money out as the bounty of God and “I sent it out with wisdom and joy”.  I live in gratitude and am thankful for the money I have in this moment.  I am doing what I love to benefit others and am richly rewarded for it.