Category: Finance

13.Feb.2013 |

Feel Goods and Pain

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Society thinks that scripture is irrelevant and limiting in today’s world. Our natural reaction is to fight against boundaries, especially when we face pain or feel our individual freedom of choice is being threatened.

We all have times when we want to throw out verses that appear to limit our lives.

We tend to look for immediate gratification. Living a life determined for long term, rather than short term happiness though, carries a greater surety for success.

A person who is willing to live a life curbing one’s desire for immediate gratification will find greater freedom.

Therefore when we have options, look ahead in life and consider the result. Is my action a short term feel good that will damage me for a longer term?

A little restraint not only feels great but often sets us up for success.

(Isaiah 40:8 & 1 Peter 1:25)

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20.Dec.2012 |

Gifts, Money and Children????

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I love buying for my children, even now that they are adults.

Christmas time finds us spending more. It’s a season of giving. Giving and thankfulness though should continue all year. Therefore, how do we deal with the pressure of giving at Xmas?

1. Much of our spending is connected to our emotional wants and pleasing others. The feel good at the store leads to a feel bad when the bills come.

Think ahead. Will you have the resources to cover expenses incurred at Xmas?

2. Our children do not need all the wants on their Xmas list. Work out what you can afford and acquire these for Xmas.

Other wants can be talked through with the child. The child could save or work toward this desired gift. They can save their allowance towards it. This achievement makes the gift more worthwhile.

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03.Dec.2012 |

Lust and Satisfaction

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Lust comes from a dissatisfaction with life.

Lust increases when we aren’t in a good place. We therefore obsess in our search for satisfaction.

The key in refraining from lust is to remain focussed on what we do have.

Adam and Eve focussed on the one forbidden tree rather than on all that they had been given.

Adam and Eve believed a lie about the forbidden tree. They believed that taking from the forbidden tree would make life better.

Lust means that we have forgotten thankfulness. We practice a certain thought pattern. “if I just had…, then it would be better.” We convince ourselves that if we just had this one thing, life would be great.

Lust means that we believe a lie. The attainment of the object for which we lust does not complete our lives.

We are back where we started because of dissatisfaction.

Return to the practice of thankfulness.

Paul, who faced the most adverse situations wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Be thankful in all circumstances…”

Thankfulness provides a sense of fullness within ourselves that lust can not provide. It brings us back to the goodness of God.

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24.Oct.2012 |

Making Sense of Finances

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Fear and Money
Financial pressure is one of the greatest reasons for marriage breakdown today. We each have a financial mindset and bring past financial commitments into the marriage. Our financial mindsets can be very different from our spouse’s. For example, you may never have experienced financial hardship but your partner may have battled this since childhood. Or, perhaps you are someone that constantly fears not having enough money to pay the bills.

Money isn’t Evil
Since money is an essential part of living, it is important that financial adjustments are made by both partners in a marriage. However, these adjustments have to be made in agreement. It is important to realize that God’s plan for abundance includes the financial realm. Many people fear money and believe it to be evil, this is not true. The mistake we make with money is relying on it to bring us happiness and security rather than relying on God.

In God we Trust
Strive to keep communication open about your finances with your spouse. Be honest about your fears, preferences, and ideas. Leave room for God in your budgeting and planning. Allow Him to be your provider, rather than your spouse, or your job, or your lottery ticket!

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21.Sep.2012 |

Fig Leaves Couldn’t Cover

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In Genesis we read about Adam and Eve sewing fig leaves together to hide their nakedness after disobeying God. The image created from this passage is quite vivid. We see them running around in the garden, trying to hold their garments in place. These were mankind’s first attempt at wearing clothing!

Self-awareness is good as long as it is not taken to the extreme. Adam and Eve became painfully self-aware when their sin was exposed. Self-aware is especially beneficial when we are connected to others that help us in areas of weakness.

Another danger are friends, such as Adam, that remain silent when we are headed in the wrong direction. These friendships may be comfortable but what we need are people in our worlds that will point us in the right direction!

Therefore, let us not waste time trying to hide our inadequacies. Rather, identify your weaknesses: job, kids, addiction, confidence, marriage, being single and find someone who does that area well. Get honest with them about your struggle, believe that you can change and take steps in the right direction.

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