5 THINGS MONEY WON'T DO

So in the middle of a serious conversation about resolving a problem in a less convenient way because it is less expensive than the most convenient way, someone joked; "ok, here is the plan...I'm going to win the lotto and then I will pay for it all."  We all had a good laugh out of it.

You see it's just easy to believe that money will fix all of our problems because it so easily fixes many problems; many of which seem impossible to deal with without money.

This often translates to us believing money can solve problems that don't even have a price.

HERE ARE 5 THINGS MONEY CAN'T DO.

1) Money will make me happy.
FALSE
2) Money will make me content
FALSE
3) Money will make my family appreciate me
FALSE
4) Money will make me feel better about myself
FALSE
5) Money will not bring the acceptance of others
FALSE

But because we feel money can fix all things, we do ALL SORTS OF THINGS in order to get money.  This GET MONEY mentality only leads to either no money and more problems; or MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS. 

Proverbs 28:6 states; "better is the poor who walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich." 

Then in verse 8; "he that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.  

Be mindful how you make your money, and mindful that money can only do certain things...BUT GOD PROVIDES ALL THINGS.

Don't have what John C. Maxwell calls "destination disease" where we believe we will find happiness once we obtain something.

What is more fragile: your FAITH or your FINANCES?

Most people don't realize how fragile their financial situation is. 
That is until a "surprise" major expense occurs, or someone dies, or they get laid off or fired.  Even worst, most people will feel the pain if they miss a paycheck or even after missing hours.  In such times we also find out how fragile our faith is, or isn't.

This can be realized best if you get a financial plan done, even better when it was done for free? (But who does that right?)

It's a simple biblical principle of judging yourself first before God has to open your eyes through a life situation.  We never know the challenges we will personally face, but we do have ways of buffering harsh times. So get a plan done so you can literally SEE IN THE DARK.

Think 2 Corinthians 13:5a - examining ourselves spiritually involves the things we do on this earth, and why we do them.

"Likes my status"

I was checking a new facebook notification that showed the wife of one of my best friends had "liked" a status.  This triggered this thought...do I 'like' MY status, am I content with where I am.

As I eat a most wonderful leftover meal of seafood lasagna full of crap meat, scallops, and shrimp lovingly prepared by my sister.  (SHOUT OUT TO SWEET CHILI RAE!) 

When I look at my life, I see so many things that need to be fixed and adjusted, but I am so greatful to have one thing.  CHOICE.  I heard a man on TED TALKS (www.ted.com) note that wealth is attributed to choice.  You want to know how rich you are, just simply evaluate your choices. 

Make no mistake about it, we in America are rich in choices, but when it comes to appreciating what we have, we are banentkrupt in gratitude.

I don't find fault in wanting a better job, or wishing to start a business, or seeking a raise, but why do we find disgust in our present condition?  Why that is, if we have no drive to make adjustments.

Most who wish to change realize that certain things won't happen if their financial situation is not adjusted, this is why many start business.  Sadly many won't make enough to retire, or may only have a short retirement and need a change of income.  This is a need driven situation that should not ride on the current of hatret for your lot in life.

Change is natural, but what we lack is a patient peace of knowing that God will provide opportunities we need and the abilities to accomplish the necessary task ahead of us.

You can checkout Sweet Chili Rae here.

THIRSTY, BUT WON'T DRINK

So TEXAS is @ the bottom of the financial literallcy totem pole....yet folks R going broke 4 Christmass & buying $300-$6000 concert tickets to see Jay-Z and Kanye.

I was reminded again the other day that we don't have a money issue in America as much as we have a SPENDING ISSUE.

People are struggling these days, but much richer than many in contemporary times and even in the history of the world.  Our issue is that we want more and we want it NOW.  And its killing us.

If a person is thirsty and at the point of catastrophe, what would you do?  Give them a drink right? Water is best to solve dehydration.  So what do you do when they refuse to drink the water you have given them? 

We are in want because we want the wrong things.
If we thirst after righteousness I guarantee that we would see less struggle in our financial outlook and behavior. 

How sad that many struggle financially but are too prideful to take the drink God has placed before them.  SIP, DRINK, GULP.

PLAYING IT SAFE.

In an earlier time, when people had to grow things to sustain their livelyhood.  There lived two neighbors who owned farms side by side.

One farmer, while working diligently during the sowing time, decided to inquire of his neighbor as to how he was dealing with that year's hardships.  The bugs seemed bigger, the water fewer, and the critters more prolific.  He sought advice to help with his long fought battle on his field.

When he got to the other farmer's house he was just relaxing on the porch rocking in his rocking chair and sipping coffee.

"How's it going Joe." the farmer asked his friend.

"Its rough out in this world Bill" He answered.

"Tell me about it!  How do you remain so calm?  How are you dealing with this harsh season?"

"Deal with it? Bill I am doing exactly what you see me doing now."

"But what of the harvest Joe, you've got to make a living."

"Well you see Bill, I wanted to plant taters, but the critters keep crittering. I wanted to plant watercrest, but there ain't hardly no water.  I wanted to plant some corn, but the bugs are as big as grapes.  So I decided to just hold tight this season and not waste my time."

Bill could believe his ears, for he knew that you reap what you sow. "Well Joe...that's just plum stupid." And he drove home praying for wisdom, and for Joe because he knew winter would soon come.

Life can go good or bad, but in all things, God has our backs and expects us to be good stewards at all times.  TALENTS ANY ONE?

LIFE IS FULL OF UNCERTAINTY, BUT BE ASSURED THAT GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS.

HE JUST ASKS THAT WE KEEP SOWING IN FAITH.

In diligence, one guy accidentally created silly putty and made millions on purpose.  I wonder how many ideas do we let lip by?

Slave in a Free Land

We live in a free country, yet many are still slaves. 

Not wanting to ignore the moraless slavery of many to passions and lust, I'd rather focus on the not so secret financial slavery.

Are you a slave?  Is your pocketbook a slave? MOST LIKELY...YES.

I am currently a slave, I've come to realize this and have a plan to get out.  What about you? Have you opened your eyes?  Do you know how to tell if you are a slave?  Its a simple self examination and everyone has seen, heard, or read about the key characteristic already.

ITS DEBT.

If you have it, you are a slave.

Isaiah 24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest;
as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so

with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with

the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with

the debtor.

24:3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly plundered:

for the LORD has spoken this word.
                 
(KJ2000 - sent from CadreBible)

When being borrower is an analogy for a historical, factual judgement of a people, perhaps you ought to remedy the situation.

Business and personal should be bundled

I remember seeking to do business with a good friend a few years ago, and you know what he told me?  I don't do business with friends.  Then he proceeded to share and incident with me that happened between he and another friend of mine.  It just all seemed like there were too many assumptions and emotions got the best of the situation.  They were both good people and I just couldn't understand why that deal didn't go through.  They were still friends afterwards too.  The result of that view of business is this...now my friend is gone to be with the Lord, and if he and his wife had done business with me, his wife and their young child would be in a better situation financially. 
One of the biggest misconception-trains-of-thought told in the business world is never mix business and friendships.  Never get too close to the people you supervise, and don't do business with family.  As one of the greatest business men in America, Art Williams once said in response to those ideas...
(In paraphrase) he said; another key in business is you've got to learn to treat people good.  In Universities they teach you not to get to know your employees, their spouse, nor their kids because you might have to fire them someday.  His response...BULL.  He went on to say how building a meaningful personal relationship is the best way to establish a beneficial working relationship.
ITS BUSINESS, NOT PERSONAL
I HATE that saying, the last time I heard it was on "Takers." The idea of "doing business" is that you offer some product or service of value to others.  Once the transaction occurs, you both leave with an improved situation.  The reasons why people separate business and personal relationships is because they either; do underhanded things in business, and don't want to do them to their friends or family, or they have been burned by someone who didn't live by such a moral code.  This sort of thing gets me upset.
So let's get to the point, those you do business with should be people who care about you and your loved ones.  If you think about it...you most likely already do business with such people.  When it comes to caring for you family, this is best handled through how well you deal with your financial matters.  So in financial matters, you really need the service of someone who cares about what God feels about their service to others, and walks in right character and understanding.  This individual will most certainly look out for you and your family, and be a valuable friend for years to come.  This is the type of business person I strive to be hourly.
So....do you have a meaningful personal relationship with a financial professional? You should.

Enjoy some Art Williams wisdom.