Wednesday 8 August 2007

Life A-Z: F is for Finances

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Started this a while back, picking up from where I left off. Let's see how it goes..

So let's discuss the F word. Well, not really discuss because I will be the first to let you know that this is not my area of expertise so sorry I can't tell you what stocks or bonds to buy or what real estate is hot at the moment. What I can do is share from the Word of God, scripture that has been impressed upon my heart regarding finances.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today Deuteronomy 8:18

As children of God, everything we do is linked with the relationship we have with the Father. I know money tends to be a volatile subject, most especially in the church BUT I believe that it is His desire that we produce wealth, not just so that we can wear Prada or Gucci or Manolo's (there's nothing wrong with that) but there is so much work to be done in the world, schools, hospitals, orphanages need to be built. Sometimes, we need to look beyond our needs to reach out to a hurting world. This verse confirms to me that God can give me wisdom concerning what investment vehicles I can board on the road to wealth creation.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs 1st Timothy 6:10

One of the most misunderstood verses in Scripture, I think. Don't love money, love God. We know which one we love when we are asked to give money away. I don't really want to talk about giving in the church because I know people have different views on the matter, what I know is that God is the source of all wealth and I will obey and trust Him with my finances. My view on giving is that God's work needs money and who else will give but His children.

He who loves pleasure will become poor, whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich Proverbs 21:17

Wine comes from grapes, oil comes from olives. Who is wealthy, the producer or the consumer? We can't all be farmers but this passage reminds me that to improve my finances, I need to own assets, defined by Robert Kiyosaki as something that puts money in my pocket at the end of the day. I don't think this verse is saying that we shouldn't enjoy the good things of life but we should strive to be producers because the vineyard owner in this case will be the one smiling to the bank!

....making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater Isaiah 55:10b

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has Proverbs 21:20

So which am I, a sower or an eater because what I am determines what I get. When money comes to me, do I think of the present or my future. A wise man said, the present is expensive but the future is cheap. How many of us know of cases where people were selling land for what seemed like outrageous prices at the time but fast forward 5-10 years and for what those places are selling for now you wish you had bought acres! Those who see their money as seed, see it as a tool for even more wealth creation but if we live for the present then we are eaters but remember the word says that it is the foolish that devours all that he has.

A sluggard does not plow in season, so at harvest time he looks and finds nothing Proverbs 20:4

Go to the ant you sluggard....yet it stores its provisions in the summer and gathers its food at harvest Proverbs 6:6-8

Life is all about seasons, our earning years are for a season, our youth is for a season. We will never at the age where we are now forever and I know by the grace of God we will get better with time but one day retirement will come, the question is will we be ready? Depending on what part of the world you live in, there will be different pension plans but I know I can't rely on any government or company in my retirement so I must now in my plowing season, like the ant store my provisions for the summer by making my money work for me because when harvest comes and I can no longer run around like I can now, I don't want to look around and find nothing.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty Proverbs 21:5

Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war obtain guidance Proverbs 20:18

These verses remind me to desist from get rich quick schemes, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Finances are too much an important part of our lives to be left to chance. There must be a plan for wealth creation and we must seek advice from professionals but most importantly, people who have done what we want to do. Do you want to buy property? talk to people who own property, their mistakes will help you learn. In the war against poverty, we need all the help we can get.

There were some other verses but I feel the post is long enough already. Please feel free to share Scripture or comments about this topic with me. Like I said, there are many books out there on finances, wealth creation e.t.c. I am learning but even if you don't need the money, I know a lot of kids who need sponsoring so you can write them a cheque!

Remain blessed

Me

11 comments:

Admin UD said...

See, one thing i've learnt money is that there's a HUGE difference between getting rich a la making money and being materialistic.

I always try to keep a balance.

Zoe Believer said...

That's true, one can have riches and not be materialistic. Like you said, it's about keeping things in balance. Have a blessed day.

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Its got me thinking. I am actually being inspired to do more for charity. Love your post by the way, and the bible verses were on point.

feather said...

money, great servant, horrible master

7 said...

Very insightful verses. So applicable to the topic, btw....yay! the series returns.

Zoe Believer said...

@ LOASCM: Thank God for that. Hope you are doing ok.

@ feather: Apt!

@ebony: By the grace of God, I will keep it going.

Anonymous said...

but there is so much work to be done in the world, schools, hospitals, orphanages need to be built----i so believe in that!

Thirty + said...

Preach it Pink Satin, we need to divert the resources (money) to where it is needed, not some folks that'll squander it on drugs.

Allied said...

What an eye opener... i have to digest it fully. One question though.

There have been times i have been led to give, when i say led, i mean sometimes it might come from other people begging in tears, i gave to the point that i am left with bear minimum myself. But i have been told numerous times that it is very foolish of me.

I am confused. Should i not give when one is asking?

Aijay said...

Nice post.
@Allied, from my experience I've realised that some people take advantage of your generosity. Give but know your limit.

Zoe Believer said...

@ pink-satin: That's good, we have to do our bit, when we build we leave a legacy.

@30+:Couldn't have said it better, that is why us believers need to work towards wealth creation because we will use it for noble causes.

@allied:I need to get back to you, there are some verses in my head but it's a crazy day today. Just know that everything requires wisdom and leading from the H.Spirit. I'll definitely get back to you. How you doing?

@aijay:Thanks for your comment.

@all:Thanks for your comments, trust you are having a blessed week