Money is a Tool!

“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.” Proverbs 27:23

When we view money as a tool, we can be diligent to create plans and prioritize them. If we need a new car, how we will go about it? Choose by desire or is there a better way. We can research what is best for our situation, then we look at our budget, then we can carefully choose the best one for practicality, reliability, and cost. If not, we get ourselves in bad debt and perhaps have a lemon that becomes a money pit. All because we bought a car out of emotion, not with a financial plan and looking at our real need. This is the same for any major purchase like a home. If we want to travel or do a project, or invest, or buy a business, we can take the same approach:

Research, plan, think effectively, and then make a plan.

Whatever the case may be, we can take a step back and come up with a better plan and seek wiser advice, than going by what our emotions will have for us. Do not let your runaway emotions ruin your life and take away your future by making you a servant to debt.

When money is a tool, we are wise with it. It is about using it to make the best life possible with character and distinction. We are not overspending beyond our means, nor are we a miser hoarding and then leaving our families unprovided for.

Think About Money is Better Ways.

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28

If we think wrongly about money, like trusting it, then we will fail on what is most important. So, a mind shift needs to happen. How do we shift our money mindset? When we are diligent and have a healthy view of stewardship and personal finance, then we will be able to see money as a tool to use wisely. That will allow us to focus on meaningful and productive solutions in our dealings with income and wealth. How can I provide for my family? How can I give back? What are my effectual goals and how do I pursue them? Such as, better savings, better budgeting, better use in purchasing and better in investing in our future. If we are held back by our fears and greed, we will be captivated by the emotional roller coaster experience of money. Therefore, never develop the stewardship principles like giving.

How Do I Know if I am Thinking Right with Money? 

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Ask yourself these questions: Where are my values? What is important to me? What is the real worth of money if all that I love is stripped away?

As a Christian, we that see, all that there is, belongs to God, and we are His managers. Money is not where our goals and values are laid. Also, think through how we can be more efficient, and what we can cut out that is not affected. Then we will see money as a tool that will help us get to where we need to go, but it is not where we go to. It is merely the vehicle that takes us to our destination.

We will know we are right thinking about money when we are not stuck on loving money, nor are we seeking grief for ourselves or others with it.

How can we be wise with how we use money; think before use.

• First off, budget, then stick to the budget.
• Second, control your spending. Then, control of your credit cards, better yet get rid of them.
• Third, pay off your debt.
• Forth, avoid financial hazards like high medical costs with good health insurance and life insurance that has living benefits.
• Fifth, plan for retirement with an effective IRA savings plan like an FIA or IUL.
• Sixth, give back. You will be far less stressed and far happier with such a mindset.

Setting healthy goals with money is all about to telling your money what to do. Not letting your wrong ideas dictate to you out of emotions.

In so doing, a wise use of money is crafting a good financial plan that gives you the strategy which will alleviate stress and help you make better financial decisions. Ask yourself, what are my real effectual priorities that matter? How can I create spending and saving priorities to match? Then, you can live your best life that gives glory to God without regrets. Think about it this way; money is like a car, but it cannot take you anywhere without a driver. (Well, not talking about self-driving cars here). A car is not useful if not used or cared for.

A final thought: time and talents are just as important as money. Keep in mind, especially with family, you can make more money you cannot make more time. Nor can money buy talents and real relationships.

 

Dr. Richard Krejcir is a licensed and experienced Financial Consultant with over thirty years of experience. He has worked for major banks, insurance companies, nonprofits, and families too. He is also an author, pastor, Special Ed Teacher, and financial blogger and holds a doctorate in Stewardship.

For help with insurance, debt management, and rolling over 401k’s to a secure retirement fund with tax advantages, that will not lose your money, give us a shout, we will help you. seminarsonmoney@gmail.com