Would you like to see an improvement in your personal financial position within the next 12 months?
What does a personal financial improvement mean for you?
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| Theodor38@dreamstime |
Where Are You?
How do you make this year a better year for you in managing your personal finances? The first step is to determine where you are now.
I’ve found that when it comes to our financial position, If we have challenges, many of us choose to not take the time and energy to face this subject. We look away, ignore our current situation, avoid conversations and other things that would cause us to open our eyes to our own handbags, wallets, checkbooks and bank accounts.
In Genesis Chapter 3, Adam and Eve hid in the garden from the Lord after they had disobeyed his commands in managing the Garden of Eden. They knew what they had done and they had an understanding that their actions were not in line with the instructions from the Lord.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Genesis 3:6-10 NKJV
If we are to improve in serving the Lord in our personal financial management, we must come out of hiding and realize where we are. Not facing our past actions stalls our progress. Where are you? Come out of hiding today!
If you currently are not experiencing financial management challenges, this may be a time for you to stretch yourself for advancement. Strategize! Learn more! Invest more!
Here’s six questions that will help you to perform a high level assessment of your personal financial position.
1. Do you have a source of income for your household? (Yes or No)
If you answered Yes to this question we give thanks to God for this blessing. With this blessing you inherit the responsibility to be a faithful steward of these financial resources.
If you answered No to this question and you are in need of financial resources for your home, let’s pray for the Lord who is our source to bless your household financially.
2. Are you using a budget or personal spending plan monthly? (Yes or No)
Your odds of achieving your personal financial management goals increase exponentially with the use of a financial management system. I feel so strongly on this point that I will say that you will not reach your goals unless you are using a system! This system should not be complicated. It must work for you. Write it down, use a spreadsheet or purchase a commercial software package… they all work well if you use them. If you are not using a system for managing your household finances, add this to your list of must-do items this year!
3. Do you currently have non-mortgage debt? (Yes or No)
Eliminating debt will free you to move into more progressive uses of the financial resources in which you are entrusted. Payments that are going toward debt can be redirected towards retirement planning, investing, college funds, starting a business and doing ministry work. The overall goal is to eliminate all debt starting with those non-mortgage obligations. If you currently have non-mortgage debt, include a realistic reduction goal to your resolutions.
4. Do you currently have savings? (Yes or No)
Savings is essential to eliminate the need to accumulate debt and being able to handle those unfortunate unplanned situations that require financial resources. If you answered no to this question, now is the time to establish a saving plan and routine. You don’t have to save a lot to count this as an improvement to your financial position!
5. Do you currently have active investments? (Yes or No)
Are you an active participant in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, futures or other investment vehicles? If you are not, consider if this is the year for you to advance into any of these areas.
6. What are your top three financial goals for the year?
What would you like to accomplish financially in the next 12 months? If you only have one goal, that is perfectly fine. I’d like to stretch you and ask you to identify three. Write them down!
Take this survey online by following this link http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22EAHP4DCEH
This survey is anonymous and your responses will be used to assist us in determining how the future postings from Money reVerse can tailored to be most beneficial to you.
Share this with others if you feel this information would be a blessing!
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