Biblical Financial Advice

The One Process that Can Make an Immediate Impact on Your Finances

"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty" (Proverbs 21:5).

What set of actions, if taken today, would make the biggest difference in your financial life?
First and foremost, living a Matthew 6:24 life of placing God first and everything else second is the main key. That is the foundation of our finances as Christians.

With God as our foundation, we need to get to work. If you were going to build a house you would start with a plan and put together a blueprint. You wouldn't just start building with whatever materials you might find. You would see the vision of the house and start with that in mind. Then you would work backwards and determine what it would take to fulfill that vision.

When it comes to money and your financial life, taking the time to get organized and creating a game plan is the process that, if started today, would greatly impact your financial life. This important action helps you accomplish three objectives.

First, it forces you to face reality.

Most people do not know what is happening in their financial life. "What you don't know can't hurt you." Denial can be a great avoidance tactic....until it no longer works. As a steward of everything that God has given us, it is our responsibility to take a good, hard look at our financial situation and face the reality of it. Hiding behind a mountain of denial will lead you to the valleys of financial hardship. Christ never wanted that for any of us.

Just remember.....it doesn't matter where you are today. You can make a fresh start with a new game plan.

Second, if you are married, this process can get you and your spouse on the same page.

A common problem that I see in marriages is that neither spouse knows exactly what is happening financially. Some couples lead totally independent financial lives. The worst case scenario is the spouse who keeps everything secret.

The families who are on the same page financially and work towards common goals and values are families who are at peace when it comes to money. That is where God wants you. If you are at peace, money is likely not to be THE priority. It will never happen without a husband and wife being united in their finances.

Third, the management process shows you what you truly value.

Do you want to know what you value in life? Open up your bank and/or credit card statement and you will see your highest values. Money supports our highest values. A financial organization and planning process will enable you to identify your current values and then determine if value conflicts are present.

You might really value the convenience of eating out. It is such a high value that you eat out 75% of the time. At the same time, you really want to get out of debt or save more for retirement. Which value is going to be the most important? How badly do you want to get out of debt or save more for retirement? Is it enough to spend less on the value of convenience?

Maybe you want to start tithing. Is tithing important enough that it motivates a reorganization of your financial values? A financial organization and planning process creates immediate impact. First, it helps you face reality by showing you your current financial picture. Second, if you are married it forces you and your spouse (if you are serious about your financial future) to get on the same page. Finally, you can plan for and achieve those financial goals by living by your financial values that truly do support you.

Financial organization and planning does take work. However, it is one of the best investments of time that you can make.

Bob Brooks
PCBC Member and Host of Prudent Money Radio Show
www.prudentmoney.com