Improving Your Financial Acumen

Hey Friends,

How much time do you spend on your finances? Worrying doesn't count. How much time do you spend reading about money management? developing your portfolio? planning for the future?

I think one of the reasons so many people are in financial trouble, especially Christians, is because they spend so very little time learning, thinking, planning, preparing for financial success.

Well Joe, doesn't the Bible say:

Mat 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

Yeah, it does, but it doesn't say ignore your finances.

Mat 10:16

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.

Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

We're supposed to be wise about our finances.

Pro 27:23

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

give careful attention to your herds;

Pro 27:24

for riches do not endure forever,

and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Pro 27:25

When the hay is removed and new growth appears

and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

Pro 27:26

the lambs will provide you with clothing,

and the goats with the price of a field.

Pro 27:27

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family

and to nourish your servant girls.

I love these verses. They tell us clearly to do our finances; balance our check book, make sure the bills are paid. Ignoring your finances won't make your financial problems go away.

Proverbs 10:4

Lazy hands make a man poor,

but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 12:24

Diligent hands will rule,

but laziness ends in slave labor.

Proverbs 12:27

The lazy man does not roast his game,

but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

Proverbs 13:4

The sluggard craves and gets nothing,

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

So here's what I recommend: work on your finances for 15 minutes a day.

This might include:

1. Paying bills
2. Balancing the checkbook
3. Investigating a stock to purchase
4. Studying to learn what a stock is
5. Learn what a portfolio is and what yours should contain
6. Investigate other ways to make money besides your current job
7. Plan for retirement
8. Read a book about personal finances
9. Praying for your finances, asking God for knowledge, wisdom and blessing
10. Ask someone else how they handle their finances

So friends, there is so much to do, so much to learn, but if we just sit back and wonder when this financial situation is going to turn around, we may be waiting a very long time.

Blessings on you

Joe

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