KFLCC Kingdom Economics

F INANCIAL S ECURITY IN THE L AST D AYS

beverages. Noah got drunk, which led to his grandson Canaan being cursed (Gen. 9:25). Lot was made drunk and committed incest with his daughters (Gen. 19:34 35). Lot was so drunk that he did not even perceive when his daughters lay with him. The king of Babylon had his wild party with his leaders, during which time God’s finger wrote on the wall of the palace, warning the king of an overthrow. The king and his drunken men were overthrown by the Persians and were unable to defend themselves—perhaps because they were too drunk to fight (see Dan. 5). David made Uriah drunk in an attempt to set him up to have relations with his wife; however, Uriah refused to go home and David was punished for a series of sins he committed (see 2 Sam 11). Nabal was drunk, experienced a massive heart attack, and died a wicked man (1 Sam. 25:36-37). There is also a woe (curse) placed upon those who give strong drink to their neighbor (Hab. 2:15). Those who spend time sipping strong drink will indeed gain “spirits,” but not the type of spirits they desire. All alcoholic beverages cost money, and addiction to alcohol has cost jobs, loss of work time, and loss of license for driving under the influence of alcohol. Some people can blame their prison sentence on being drunk while driving or engaging in some other behavior that resulted in a felony conviction. Much can also be said about the damage to the body’s vital organs through alcohol abuse. I have seen anger, abuse, and poverty result because men and women come under the iron stronghold of alcohol. I have watched them go from a level of success and prosperity, to losing everything and even living on the street. Fleshly or unclean habits are a “bag with holes in it.” All habits and addictions have a financial price, as well as a physical and spiritual cost to the abuser. Below is an example of the cost of various habits. I have included three of the most common so-called pleasure habits that people engage in—smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and smoking marijuana. These costs are only estimated as prices change and vary by region and so on:

The Habit

Cost per Item

Cigarettes

$5 or more a pack

Six Pack of beer

$6

Pot

$40 for 1/8 oz.

Depending on a person’s usage, you can see how costs can add up quickly. If

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