Do you make major decisions without consulting God first?

The men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not inquire of the Lord (Joshua 9:14, NIV).

As the young Israelite nation went about the process of taking over Canaan, they ran into a slight problem. The people of Gibeon (part of the Canaanite territory) came up with a plan to trick the men of Israel. They disguised themselves as travelers from a faraway land. They brought with them moldy bread and worn out wineskins and claimed that these things were all fresh and new when they started their journey. The Israelites inspected their provisions and believed the Gibeonites' story. They went ahead and made a treaty with them, anyway.

When God gave the Israelites the promised land, he commanded Moses and then Joshua to destroy all the inhabitants of the land. There should be no treaties made with any of the Canaanites. When the Gibeonites showed up with their fake story, the men of Israel knew that something was not quite right, but they failed to take the time to consult the Lord.

Unfortunately, I believe many of us as Christians make the same mistake when it comes to major financial decisions. We get the desire to move up into a bigger home. We need to replace our older, broken down car, and we don't take the time to think things through. We get "stuffitis" or we find ourselves in a difficult situation where we think we need to move quickly. We fail to stop, think, wait, and pray. God wants us to come to Him with matters great and small. He wants us to seek His wisdom and provision. We often settle for second best when we could have God's best. Second best often brings with it a high price to pay.

Patience is the companion of wisdom. - St. Augustine

Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All things pass; God never changes. Patience attains all that that it strives for. He who has God finds he lacks nothing; God alone suffices. - St. Teresa of Avila

Have you ever made a really poor financial decision by failing to inquire of the Lord? Or, have you ever made a really excellent decision after consulting the Lord and His Word? If so, I'd love to hear your story.