Well-Being

The bible reveals to us that God intends for us to enjoy an accomplished and content life. We are designed to prosper spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. We fail in our endeavours when we ignore God’s presence and blindly chart our own course through life. This month, as we explore the concept of Well-being, which is the state of being content and healthy, let us examine the idea of The Financial Diet: Gaining Pounds.

Diagnosis

Today’s society encourages the desire to acquire more goods and services as a ‘status symbol’. The more we possess, the wealthier we are. We feel compelled to display signs of wealth by purchasing expensive goods and services. However, wealth is what we accumulate, not what we spend (The Millionaire Next Door.) We should stop to ask ourselves what our actual networth is. Do we have enough to retire in comfort and still leave a generous inheritance for our children and their children? The bible says in Proverbs 13:22, ‘…a good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…’

Networth = {(Age x Gross annual income)/10} – Inheritance, so a 30 year old, who earns £30k per annum should, in theory, have a networth of £90,000.

God’s intention is for us to prosper, but not to be consumed by the desire to be rich. What would we use our wealth for? Would we promote the gospel? Would we assist the sick, the dying, the destitute, the homeless or would we buy another Porsche? (Proverbs 3:27 -28) If we lost our jobs today, how many months would we be able to stay afloat for?

When we are called to financial greatness, our financial health will be subject to attack. There are so many people, who are unable to fulfil their dreams today because they are financially anorexic. Their dreams have been stolen through various channels such as, inherited debt, lack of vision, poor budgeting, lack of self control and in some cases the curse of poverty. They experience fear, hopelessness and unhappiness. The bible tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

Remedy

Acknowledge God (Priestly Investment): The bible tells us to seek God’s kingdom first. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “…trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths…” Acknowledge the issue, which has to be resolved. (Proverbs 4:5-7) Pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, favour, discernment, blessing and mercy. Only He can enable us to utiltise our talents wisely, lead us to the suitable career and teach us how to invest our money and time wisely. II Chronicles 27:6 says, ‘…Jotham became mighty, because He prepared his ways before the Lord his God…’

Word & Faith Investment: Proverbs 16:3 says, ‘…commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed…’ Proverbs 21:20 says, ‘…He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor…’ The Word teaches us to rely on God and not to be enamoured of money.

Tithe (Seed Investment): Proverbs 3:9-10 and Malachi 3:8-12 are two scriptures, which advise us to give to God, what is due to Him and He will ensure that the devourer has no access to us. The act of giving to God shows our love for Him and He will not withhold any good thing from those, who love Him unconditionally.

Proverbs 21:20 advises us to save for our future, so we must apply the 10-10-80 rule – God, Save, You. After giving God His 10%, we must save 10% and live on the remainder.

Be honest (Integrity Investment): We must not claim benefits, which we are not entitled to. We must work, make sacrifices, persevere, pay our taxes diligently and have integrity. (Proverbs 13:11) We should not borrow to consume, but rather we must accumulate wealth gradually to appreciate it.

Self-discipline: We must live well below our means in order to gain pounds. Also, we should not covet our friends’ perceived lifestyle or try to imitate it. The stiletto heels of the lady, who drives a new car every year could be deeply entrenched in debt, but we would not be aware of that. Literature, such as The Money Secret, The Millionaire Mind and The Millionaire Next Door, which provide practical advice, can assist us to become more disciplined. The conclusion, which can be drawn from these books it that we cannot enjoy life if we are addicted to consumption and the use of credit. We cannot gain financial pounds if we are addicted to spending.

Budget: To heal financially, we have to be wise and budget. We must control our finances, by restricting our expenditure. We can buy good quality, durable products, but these do not need to have designer labels. By budgeting, we determine not to spend our future earnings. If we have God on our side but plan poorly because we are spendthrifts, we negate all the blessings, which God bestows on us.

B: breaking the cycle
U: under spending
D: determination
G: giving
E: enterprising
T: tithing

It is God’s will for us to be self-sufficient, so we must understand that if we need to spend more, then we must ensure that we earn more. The Millionaire Next Door advises us to begin earning and investing early in our adult life to ensure financial independence.

In conclusion, there is a difference between hearing God’s word and receiving wisdom from it. Likewise, we may receive financial advice, however we decide how to manage our finances. We must remember that financial limitations paralyse us, impair our decision-making and destroy our dreams. It is our prerogative to use divine wisdom, (Ecclesiastes 7:12), to ensure that we safeguard the blessings, which God had bestowed on us.

We will not borrow, we will lend to many nations and remain prosperous, so until next month, keep on gaining those pounds.