Mother's Day Money Lessons
Posted May 16, 2017This article is an excerpt from my radio show “Your Money God’s Way” on the Just Jesus Radio Network that airs every Friday at 5pm eastern.
Proverbs 1:8 says to us “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. “With that said can we ever thank our mom’s enough? She cleaned our diapers, fed us, took care of us when we were sick and passed down many of life’s lessons in the hopes that we could learn from her mistakes. The different ways she took care of us help make us who we are today. From the many lessons my mom taught me, I want to share 4 money lessons from my mom that you can also apply to your finances. One of the best lessons my mom taught me was the difference between needs and wants and which in Matthew Chapter 6 verse 25 says; “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “
Needs and Wants
“Mom I need this” and “Mom, I need that.” One of the best things that my mom told me when I was a child was NO. At the time, I didn’t think it was so great but she taught me that I didn’t need to get everything I wanted. The truth of the matter was there were only a few things I truly needed as a child; food, clothing, shelter and love. In adulthood, I finally understood the invaluable lesson of the difference between needs and wants. For example, I wanted to go out to eat for lunch every day, but I would be able to save a lot more money if I packed my lunch instead. I wanted to have the latest big screen that just came out, but my old television worked just fine. As adults, we frequently confuse wants from true needs. Now I remember that when my mom told me no, it didn’t kill me. I want to share something with you – it also won’t kill you not to get everything you want. And financially speaking, you will be much better off.
It’s Good to Share
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
My mom really didn’t say it that way, she basically said if I didn’t share my toys with my little sister, she was going to take them away from me and give them all to her. Being an adult, I now understand the importance of sharing with others because I have found that the most satisfied and the most joyful people are always the ones who have the most they are the ones who serve and share the most. Why is that? The positive feelings you experience when you share with others last much longer than the temporary high you get when you waste your money on yourself. Sharing your financial resources also develops discipline and an awareness of others’ misfortune which can help keep you focused on what is truly important, which by the way can have a profound effect on your finances.
As an adult and someone who travels the world and speaks to audiences I know that most people spend more than they make, save what is left over, and give rarely and those people usually end up with less. The people who have more do the total opposite because they understand that they are stewards and not owners so they give first, pay themselves (save) next, and then live on the rest.
Save for the expected unexpected
1 Timothy 5:8 “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
When I was growing up, I had a lot of chores that needed to get done that’s if I wanted to get my allowance. From washing the dishes to taking the dog out, I would get a weekly allowance if I completed what I was supposed to do. I was also given a piggy bank from my mom. She would expect me to always put a little money in my piggy bank for a rainy day. She didn’t mind if I spent some of my allowance on candy or toys, but she taught me the valuable lesson of always paying myself first. That lesson can also serve you well. You work hard for your money so make sure you always pay yourself first!
As an adult, I know understand that nobody likes to plan on things going wrong such as your car’s transmission going out or your pet swallowing a golf ball, and I also know that God never promised us a life free from challenge or difficulties but to be a good steward of your financial resources you need to have some cash in safe, short term savings to cover these types of emergencies, because it isn’t a matter of if they will happen, it is only a matter of when. If you don’t have anything in savings and an emergency does come up, you won’t have any choice but to use a credit card. Your goal is to have at least 3-6 months of your monthly non-discretionary spending in an account separate from your checking account.
Not Giving Up
Romans 5:3-4 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
I remember after my mom came home from work, she would still find the energy to make dinner every night. I also recall her working two jobs when my dad was laid off so my sister and I wouldn’t do without. I think what impressed me most was that even when she was sick or not feeling well my mom still would find the energy to take care of us and when the going got tough, my mom kept going! That same trait is extremely important to apply to your financial life because there will be setbacks. As an adult, when I might be feeling bad or success seems out of reach, I always keep in the back of my head the knowledge that my mom was always there and she never gave up. As I said earlier in the show is that God never promised us that our lives would be easy but as Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You know as well as I do that nobody plans on things going wrong but many times life just happens. When things do go wrong, especially after a financial setback, many people just want to curl up into a ball and give up. What sets the successful apart from the rest is not giving up in the face of challenges or difficulty. Easier said than done but keep in mind that you might not always be able to control the situation but you can control on how you react to it! It is key to control your emotions, assess the damage, define your goals, develop a plan, and be flexible. Always tell yourself that through Christ all things are possible and nothing is going to keep you down forever! So, no matter what is going what is going on in your life, financially, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, we have a Faithful, Loving, and powerful God and through Jesus all things are possible as long as you never give up.
posted by Steve Repak
on May, 16
Source: Good Reads