Good Ol' Days

 

Good Ol' Days

    Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations. Ask your father and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. (Deuteronomy 32:7)

    This verse was written to those of that era to recall and inquire about the works God performed and how it would lead to the coming Messiah. Today, I want us to learn about how the ways of our past generations differed financially from those of today, and what we can glean from that.

    In 1955, the average annual income was $4,400, with the average home price just over $18,000. Today those figures are $79,900 and $342,000 - with both representing just over 4 times the annual salary. A standard car was about $1,900, with today around $47,000 - still a similar ratio, however current cars have a much longer reliable lifespan.

    In that past era, more families stayed in their first homes longer, eventually paid them off and rarely refinanced. Those aspects are less prevalent today, and with the appetite for frequent refinancing... into new 30-year notes, makes it that much harder to achieve true home ownership.

    What is really the biggest difference between then and now financially, and why can there be such a struggle? It's plainly comprised in the photo below.

CREDIT CARDS, COMPUTERS & CELL PHONES

    You know that these inventions are not evil organically, but it is in how we can use and abuse them which cause self-inflicted wounds financially that can take years to undo. Our family above in black-and-white did not experience the temptation, pitfalls and calamity that can exist today in these areas.

    Back then, a family on tough times may be given some credit with their grocer or store if they knew them well. Revolving credit and cards (allowing for charges to not be paid off completely each month) was begun in 1958... and soon exploded from there, along with the consequences for consumers who fell behind in the form of high interest rates and penalties.

    Simply put, our 1955 family could only end up in so much debt - because the only available instruments towards debt were for necessities. Today, a person can quickly become underwater from buying ANYTHING. Yes... that's right, ANYTHING. You know that now you can purchase ANYTHING online, from the smallest basics all the way up to automobiles and have them delivered to you in a jiffy, with the accompanying delivery fees.

    In addition, it's possible to have a built-in charge onto every month of your credit card bill from subscriptions for everything from entertainment, pet items, fitness clubs, clothing and now even tacos. The takeaway is to review these subscriptions regularly - if you're using them and receive value from them, then keep them. But if not, remove them at once.

    No matter how times and devices change, God's Word will always show us the way to go, and here is no exception if we look at 1 Timothy 6:8 - "But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

    

    It is in anchoring our contentment in Jesus Christ, and the provision He has given to us at this time, that we will be genuinely satisfied and will reduce our cravings for the things of this world.

    If we need to reduce our debts, looking to a literal example to imitate is found with our past family:

- Try to stay in your current home, and if interest rates suggest a refinance is beneficial, only do so to the amount of remaining years in your current mortgage.

- In 1963 (earliest data available) less than 9% of new cars were leased, today it is over 26%. Buy your vehicles and thus have an asset available when it's time to replace.

- Limit the bulk of your credit card use to necessities. Have a separate debit card or bank account for frills and non-essentials. That way you cannot go into debt and pay interest for these optional things.

- Maintain a "pulse" with your spending. Review your credit card charges weekly or bi-weekly at most. It is the best way to know you are staying within your ability to pay it off at the end of the month and avoid a shock when the bill arrives.

- Statistics show church members tithed and gave at a higher rate of their incomes in 1955 than today. Remember that God is our source, that He considers the tithe to be holy and that we honor Him by placing Him first in our finances.

    Finally, be encouraged in viewing your horizon within the context of what is written in Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

    

    

2022 & Unity

 

2022 & Unity

    Jesus stated in Mark 3:25 that "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." He also included before and after this that the same result will be true for a kingdom, and for Satan - that if it is divided it will not last.

    Let's focus in on how this and other scriptures apply to having unity in our finances.

    Simply put, a household cannot achieve reduction and eventually freedom from debt if there are "splinters" occurring willfully - should one spouse choose to continually make large, extravagant, and unnecessary purchases, even though the other spouse is trying maintain a prudent course, or if the children receive every item they want regardless of reason.

    This occurred for some time with the person who taught the Debt-Free & Prosperous Living course to me and my wife in Minnesota in 1999, and one who I am in deep gratitude towards... Dan Wieczorek. His wife Susan was not "on board" for a period of time, which resulted in them spinning their wheels, but eventually that changed and once both spouses were rowing in the same direction, they achieved freedom from debt.

    We've seen the division principal from that scripture shown before us - in companies, political parties and sports teams, to name a few. To the degree those splinters and eventual footholds occur, the downward trajectory of that unit is hastened until it does not stand.

    An organization or team can have a mission statement or philosophy to direct their efforts, but we as believers have something much more powerful... the Word of God. It speaks to us in the direction to go for our finances... to first honor God with our tithes and offerings, to be generous to others in need, prudent and sober in our spending so we spend less than we make and to trust in God and not in riches.

    So to achieve this "rowing in the same direction", the main focus is for all members of the household to follow God's Word together. 

    I want to take the liberty of extrapolating some with Ephesians 2:14, which is about harmony between Jews and Gentiles. However in this example I wish for you to please regard He (Jesus) to be the Word, which after all He is described as to be. And that the harmony sought is within a household instead.

    "For He is (Himself) our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both (Jew and Gentile) one (body), and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us."

    If a family seeks this peace - a bond of unity and harmony through understanding and submitting to God's Word, it will make that family one body, and there will be no wall dividing them.

    What does this look like in practical terms handling finances? Husband and wife communicating together on a regular basis, sharing what each of their needs and wants are. Taking the time to go over past spending and looking ahead to future commitments, planning to be reasonably certain they can meet them. Praying individually and together to understand God's will for their finances, including major purchases.

    This includes getting our children involved, listening to their desires and explaining to them some times that Mommy and Daddy cannot make a certain purchase at this time because they are "listening to and obeying God", but that the time may be right for the purchase in the future. Explain how there are things Mommy and Daddy both wish to have, but that they are both being patient in waiting for the right time to have them also.

    When moving through the process of paying off debts - (if you wish to view the step-by-step plan, click on the Archives to July 2021 of the post titled "Diligent to Know", or even better... enroll in a free 3-hour class) you may be denying yourself, or members of your family certain things temporarily in order to move forward. Dan taught to pick out some pay-off milestones to reward yourself and your family for following the plan. 

    Lay out this reward plan to the entire family when you begin...when you pay off the first credit card, go out for a real big night on the town or buy something special for the kids. When the car payment is retired, have a weekend getaway everyone would enjoy. And when the final mortgage payment is made... go ALL OUT and promise your kids they can go to Disneyworld or someplace that will blow them away. Your kids will want to help in any way imaginable if that promise is before them and it will bring you to that milestone that much faster as a family to celebrate!

Footnote: I just learned that Dan passed away last month at the age of 76. He left a legacy of households that had changed financial lives as a result of his courses for many years.

    Lastly, take this verse with you in your goal to have family financial unity in 2022:

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14)

God Bless you may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

The Verse

 

The Verse

    "My child, pay attention to what I saw. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

    These words of wisdom above are not "The Verse" that we'll focus on today, however they are a fine introduction, proclaiming the importance and benefit we'll receive as we follow what God is teaching us in all scripture.

    The Verse, is an elementary, essential and indispensable guide to being wise with our finances. It is also very simple to understand.

    Proverbs 21:20:

"There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it."

    The writer is showing us a simple illustration of what it looks like to spend less than we make - the foolish man spent all he had but the wise man had provision available. It includes the actions and mindset of the one who is careless. The self-confident and foolish in the Word are described as deceiving themselves. In finances this can be those who feel they can have many discretionary purchases now with no consequences ahead. That is a lie which becomes more visible when the bills arrive each month.

    The choice of words used also includes that the foolish one "swallows it up and wastes it". It speaks of not even genuinely enjoying what has been purchased, quickly devouring it and destroying. We can include to this things purchased that were hardly even used - something we all can relate to at times. Various translations and the meaning of the root words relate to the foolish one spending all their income as soon as they made it, spending whatever they get.

    Your income level is not as important as your spending habits. The scripture did not speak to how much one earned, the focus was on how it was handled... wisely or wasted.

    The wise person in the verse arrived there by not being self-confident, but relying on and following God's instruction. We are encouraged in Proverbs 7 to keep His teachings as the apple of our eye, written on the tablets of our heart, and to keep my commandments and live.

    However, in the modern robust use of credit cards, it can easily be worse for us than the fool in Proverbs. The quick acquisition of items with cards give the illusion you have something when you really don't have the money to pay for it. And with the exorbitant interest rates charged, even more money is being wasted beyond the cost of the items. Consider this, if you charge with your credit cards and cannot live within your income this month, how will you live within your income the following month(s) when the bills come in with the interest added?

    As we are into the Christmas Season, you may be considering gifts for others that are beyond your means. Although your heart may be wanting to give, I encourage you to be prudent and sober, assessing whether you have the money to afford it. 

    With many more purchases being made at this time, it is also easy to lose track so I encourage to take a few minutes and do this one step multiple times this month... go online and see what your credit card(s) balances actually are - as opposed to waiting for the bill to arrive. That step will at least allow you to know where you actually stand, and can make informed decisions about how much you can spend.

    When you go shopping at the stores or online, beyond your gift list, also take with you the Holy Spirit. For you can receive direction in a moment of what to do or not do, if you ask. Be sensitive to the Spirit providing you with direction.

    Lastly, be encouraged that it is God's Will to take care of you:

"And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

    

    

    

    

Giving Is Living

 

Giving Is Living

    "In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men". (John 1:4)

    Jesus, our Savior, showed us the loving nature of our heavenly Father. That nature is always giving - from providing provision, healing, restoration, instruction, mercy and eternal life, among many other things. 

    Because He has given to us so freely, we show our gratitude to Him by giving to others. Just as every "good" thing that has been created (think of a bible, a tract, a Christian song or sermon), there was a "life" intended to be "lived" by it... to proclaim of that Light which John spoke of, leading one to eternal life, to restoration and encouragement.

    In this same manner our finances have the capability to "live" - they can be given to support the preaching of the gospel, to assist the poor, to help heal the broken-hearted, to strengthen families, to help build foundations in the lives of young believers towards Christ... and as many positive actions as you can imagine from the numerous ministries at work in this country and around the world.

    Or, we can take all of our finances, spend them on ourselves to buy things which will eventually turn to dust.

    Consider how many goods we purchase that are made in other countries around the globe. Those dollars go towards providing a livelihood for those workers that you have never met. In the same manner when we give to ministries that carry out the Great Commission abroad - in many instances places of desolate poverty or government oppression against the Word, it is bringing The Life to many people you may never meet.

    We can see some of the growing needs in our own metropolitan area, and there are many credible ministries serving to help them. I would like to highlight two of them to you.

Denver Rescue Mission - helping restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs and community outreach with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens. Their website is denverrescuemission.org.

Restoration Outreach Programs - serving the East Colfax Community, they develop redemptive relationships with teens and children, provide resources that help individuals lead lives towards self-sufficiency and restore broken lives. Their website is restorationoutreachprograms.org.

    If you decide to give to any ministry, choose those that do so in the name of Christ... as the two ministries above do. For those ministries are doing more than fulfilling a need - they are pointing the way to our God of compassion, mercy and eternal salvation. It has the capacity to reshape that person's view of God and that they are loved by Him. It is written in Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus". 

    This giving towards other ministries comes after having given your tithe to the Lord. Malachi 3:10 reads "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house..." For your home church is where you are fed, and your church body and local community are served in a multitude of ways.

    Lastly, be encouraged in your giving by what is written in 2 Corinthians 9, revealing God's viewpoint... "He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without a cheerful, joyous, "prompt to do it" giver, whose heart is in his giving."

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Learned To Be

 

Learned To Be

    "For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." In Philippians 4, Paul includes in his writing about facing both extreme need and having abundance. He continues on to say I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

    Paul gives God the glory for providing him with strength, however he twice mentions that he learned to be content. His description can give us encouragement that contentment is not necessarily something we gain overnight, and it is a process to achieve and then keep.

    Being content is one of the key characteristics that makes a difference in shedding debt and overspending, leading to a path of becoming free of debt. Focusing on being content in Christ will lead us to make wise decisions when those forks in the road come, such as:

    Contentment will speak to us to keep that current vehicle (providing it is reliable), rather than committing to a multi-year loan or lease, just to have the latest shiny model available.

    Contentment will allow us to feel comfortable with the clothes we wear, the gadgets we have and things we already own regardless of what others may think, rather than going deeper into debt to obtain more or newer versions of these things.

    Contentment can show us if our current home is meeting our needs, as opposed to moving into an expensive new place or spending large sums on remodeling for the appearance.    

    Focusing on contentment in Christ will provide the patience to wait for any of the things mentioned above, until we have the resources to afford it.

    Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:8 that "if we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these things." How far beyond "having food and clothing" is your household and most others in this country right now? Then Paul has instructed us to be content with our lot.

    A part of the process of learning to be content is looking back at our past spending decisions, when we were not content and spent a large amount or committed financially to something that ultimately did not bring us the satisfaction we thought it may.

    And in the times that we focused on being content in Christ, saw the results in how we later realized that having that 'thing" really was not so important after all, and then did not go deeper into debt for it and learned from the experience.

    Both of the prior examples can ultimately help "steer" us to the place God wants us to be... if we learn from those experiences - those when we set aside contentment and also when we embraced it. 

    We can also learn from others, in Proverbs 24 it tells of going by the field of a slothful man void of understanding. It says the field was overgrown in thorns and the wall broken down - and the author says "I saw and considered it; I looked on it and received instruction." You may be able to recall the folly of some others financially, recognize some steps they made which led to that folly, and learn.

    As Paul learned that Christ was his strength, we also can... and there is no substitute for reading/hearing/viewing His Word and fellowshipping with Him regularly, which will lead us to receiving that strength from Him that will allow us to be content in all circumstances.

    Lastly, know the Lord is with you at all times and in all situations, as it is written in Hebrews 13:5 - "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

God Bless you and my He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

For The Lord

 

For The Lord

    "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily from the soul, as something done for the Lord and not for men."

    This instruction from Paul in Colossians 3 - if taken to heart and applied, will transform how you view your workweek, your ability to succeed, be a witness for others unto God, and return to bless you.

    

    You may think, "how does this relate to my finances?" Since our work translates into what we earn, trusting and obeying what the Lord has said will release His power and life into our labor, causing it to prosper.

    Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph persevered and served the Lord in his work. In Genesis 39 it says the Lord was with him and made all that he did to flourish and succeed, which led to Potiphar making him supervisor in his house and all that he had.

    I have pinned Ephesians 6 above my desk for years. Even though starting in verse 5 it is speaking to servants, the principles spoken are golden words to work by for us:

- Be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as service to Christ Himself.

- Not in the way of eye-service and only to please men, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul. Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men.

    If you strive to give this type of effort, you will receive strength, steadfastness, a mindset of integrity, and have diligence. You'll regard work as less of a chore and sense God's grace seeing you through the challenges that arise.

    This effort will be unmistakable to your coworkers, supervisors and leaders. As they see the integrity and caring in your work and concern for them, it will translate to an increased weight when you share of the Lord. Think about John 3:12 when Jesus said "If I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" If we can "speak" well in these earthly things (by working diligently), they will be more open to heavenly things.

    Living out the good working character traits God has described, will make you more valuable and irreplaceable to your management. They will see you as a strong candidate for promotion and leadership - as Joseph experienced.

    But even if promotion or financial increase does not result directly from your employer, you know that you have obeyed the Lord and acted out what is true from His Word - and as is concluded from the verses in Ephesians we can look forward to this now and in the eternal ages to come:

    "Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free."

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Let Him

 

Let Him

            "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your insight or understanding." (Proverbs 3:5). Our God is inviting us to let Him have His way in our lives.

            Consider how many times we've willingly received instruction over the years - in school, college, job training, a fitness class or a DIY video online. Yet when it comes to acquiring and applying knowledge from the One who has always existed and created us, loves us unconditionally and knows all things - are we seeking and obeying in the same manner? Today, we'll zero in on how that looks in our finances.

            Please reread the opening verse again... and realize that in following it we are not "adding God" to our way of life... for it says to not rely on our insight or understanding.  Instead, we are allowing Christ to live through us as is written in Galatians 2:20 "...it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me". Having this mindset, we are submitting ourselves to God.

            So how do we allow Christ to live through us in our finances? Let's look to the Word, beginning with Colossians 3:23 on the way to apply ourselves at work - "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul) as (something done) for the Lord and not for men". When we do, we can better persevere through challenges and bear with difficult coworkers or bosses. We'll bring out our best performance and cause our lights to shine as a testimony for the Lord. That type of effort will return to bless you financially as well.

            Having earned our wages, we trust in the Lord by first setting aside the tithe to Him. The wise action to take is that once you've been paid to either write out the tithe check or give online that same day. This prevents our flesh from later getting in the way, succumbing to a purchase that "pushes out" the funds to tithe. In Malachi 3, God clearly states His perspective of withholding the tithe, calling it robbing Him. However, He also says that in obeying He will pour out such a blessing until there shall not be room enough to receive it.

            We also trust in the Lord by giving to others - whether needy individuals or to ministries that serve. First, we can have our ears and eyes open to be sensitive to needs that arise, as is written in Proverbs 22:9, "He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor." Giving can also include your time or talents in addressing a need.

            Our spending should be a focal point of yielding to God, as it can usually be traced to the impulses of our flesh that cause our finances to go out of whack. In Galatians 5 it communicates squarely where these troubles come from - "the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are opposed to the flesh". However it also provides the right path... "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Because the Spirit will always agree with God's Word, it is important to daily be reading and absorbing, as that will increase your sensitivity to the Spirit.

            Let's cover one question - have you trusted God with your eternal salvation through Jesus Christ? If your answer is yes, then consider and answer this... if I can trust the Lord with something as priceless as to where I will spend all of eternity, in His holy presence, can I then freely trust Him in what He says to do with these finances here on earth?

            Lastly, be encouraged from David's Psalm, written in Chapter 37: "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass."

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul