Are you as money smart as a bug?

Bank deposits were up 13.5 percent, or $641 billion, in 2009, according to this piece on MoneyRates.com. That's a prudent move. Many Americans were caught short by the recent financial turmoil. Now, we seem to be learning to save again.

But it gets even better. A joint survey by MoneyRates.com and GetRichSlowly.com found that out of the 1,629 people responding to the poll, "30% reported saving 25% or more of their monthly income, and 34% reported saving between 10% and 25%."

Nice. Granted, these are money-minded people frequenting financial websites, so they are likely to be in the over-achiever crowd. Still, it's encouraging.

Sound Mind Investing is a big believer in setting aside emergency funds and building accumulation funds for future purchases. We're just sorry it has taken a national financial nightmare to get some people motivated to save.

One reason we have always encouraged saving is because the Bible encourages preparing for the future. Proverbs 21:20 says, "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has" (emphasis added).

Of course, saving for ourselves must be kept in balance. Yes, God "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment," we are told in 1 Timothy 6, but we're reminded of that provision in the context of being generous toward others. Furthermore, in James, we're warned against presuming on the future. That provides yet another needed balance to our savings and investment efforts.

But save we should. In fact, the Bible encourages us to save by pointing us to the most humble of insects, the ant. Proverbs 6:6-8 says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (emphasis added).

Hmm. Are you and I as smart as a bug? It doesn't take a financial (or natural) disaster to get the ant preparing for the future! God hard-wired it into the ant's DNA. Maybe saving doesn't seem hard-wired into you, but you can learn how to do it. Start saving now!

And before your flick a pesky ant off your picnic blanket, at least stop to admire his preparation and determination in providing for the future. He may be doing a better job than you are.

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Matthew Pryor in his 8th year with Sound Mind Investing, now serving as Director of Operations. Learn more about Christian investing and finances at the Sound Mind Investing website.