The Root of “Wants”

Why do we buy the things we buy? Why does the person choose to buy a $400,000 car as compared to buying a $40,000 car? They both accomplish the basic needs of transportation. Why does a person buy a $4,000 purse as compared to buying a purse at Walmart for $25? Again, they accomplish the same task of carrying your items. What is the definition between want and need? I think the answer is found in materialism. We are concerned about what others think of us. What is profoundly strange is, we care about the perception of others who don’t even know us. The man driving a luxury car envisions others sitting at the stoplight looking over and being impressed by their car. A woman walking in the mall with her $5,000 purse carries it in a manner so that other women can see it. Women she doesn’t even know. Materialism is the root of these purchases. Materialism shakes us from buying an item to satisfy a need versus buying an item we want to impress others. Scripture speaks about this topic in detail.

Luke 12:15

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on the unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.

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A time to buy and a time to sell

I have been bombarded with questions regarding real estate in the recent months. Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell? Will rates go back up? Should I do a 15 or 30 year mortgage? All very good questions. Let me give my opinion if I may. The housing market is cyclical. It has peaks and valleys. We saw a big price increase in the early 2000’s and then the bottom fell out in 2008. Being a seller and buyer is also cyclical. It’s a good time to sell and a bad time to buy right now. People are getting more than asking price for their homes and people are paying 25-30% more than what they should on a home. For people who are considering buying a home in areas where there is huge demand, I suggest renting until the market levels out. It is my opinion that we will start seeing defaults on mortgages which will lower the housing prices. Why such a dramatic change currently? Demand is why we see prices increases. There are more people moving into the red states and not enough houses for them to buy. This isn’t rocket science. Increased demand and not enough product equals economics 101. If you are a seller, I think you may have another year or two at best before you see prices starting to drop. As they say, get while the getting is good. Buyers, don’t get pushed into a bad deal which is what I am seeing currently. Stick to what you can afford and stay within your budget.

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Why Save?

I have discussed the topic of the need to save money for 25 years. I see the problems people face when they have no savings and get into a “tight spot”. What prevents us from saving money? The worldview ways of handling money is the culprit. Many people are buried in debt and have nothing left to tithe or save. House payments, car payments, credit card payments, medical payments, etc. all are hurdles in our quest to be good savers. Scripture is very clear on the need to save money and how to do it. As a financial planner, I am telling you, debt is your biggest enemy. Let’s look at what scripture says about saving.

Proverbs 6:6-8:

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

Proverbs 13:16:

“Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.”

Proverbs 21:5:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

Proverbs 24:27:

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”

Luke 14:28:

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”

Proverbs 10:4-5:

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes the rich . He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

Proverbs 21:5:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

Proverbs 13:11:

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

1 Corinthians 16:2

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”

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I spent the first 12 years of my adult life in a position of law enforcement. One of the elements of my training was how to interview and what questions were important. Those questions were laid out as the 5 W’s.  We asked who, what, where, when and why during the course of an investigation. I think the last question is extremely important as we learn how to be obedient stewards. “Why” is good stewardship important? The question is critical in understanding God’s plan for us. The most simple money issues in our life can cause massive destruction if improperly handled.  “Why” do we need to avoid debt? Debt is the number one cause for divorce today. Ow many times have you worried about paying bills? How many times have you avoided answering the phone because it may be a debt collector? How much stress could be removed from your lives by not having debt? “Why” do we save for our later years? One of the leading demographics in the work force are previously retired people. Most who return are doing so because they cannot live on social security income alone. Many cannot pay their basic living requirements such as food, healthcare, and utilities. If a person had saved a portion of their income, this issue could have possibly been avoided. There are several money issues surrounding us that can improved on or avoided by knowing the “why” of the stewardship instruction. As a pastor, I have been involved in several end of life experiences. What is similar in every situation is that not one of these people are concerned about their material possessions, how much money they have or how much money they made. They are concerned about what comes next. Our stewardship will be reviewed at our death. What will God say about your stewardship? Did you have more concern for the Kingdom or have more concern about worldly comforts? This is another “Why” question. Why is stewardship important? Because it allows is to honor and glorify God with what has been entrusted to us.

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Automatic Savings

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It’s up to You!

I have been teaching Biblical Stewardship since 2008. I have acquired various certifications in the discipline such as Certified Stewardship Instructor and Certified Kingdom Advisor. I have spread the stewardship message across many radio stations, podcasts, newspaper articles and blogs during the last 13 years. My observation during that time frame is that most Christians don’t really want to follow scripture regarding financial stewardship. It really comes down to Secular vs Non-Secular. Bible vs worldview. Scripture teaches us to avoid debt, the world says debt is ok. Scripture teaches us to avoid those things that are unclean. The world says as long as your making money, it’s ok. The world says it’s ok to be materialistic and marketing across all avenues pushes that. Scripture tells us coveting and being materialistic is sinful. The world is winning in this race of obedience vs sin. I’ve had Christians tell me that as long as they are making a profit, that’s good stewardship. My friends, that is absurd. Believers can make a huge impact on what God has called us to do, but we must turn form the world’s ways. The devil doesn’t entice with rotten apples.

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As we strive to be good stewards, we face multiple obstacles. We have pressure from work, demands from children, debt issues, church issues, spouse issues, and a magnitude of hurdles which cause us to stumble. I have found that if we set our Biblical priorities of importance, we can often relieve much of the anxiety and stress we carry. I am a self-admitted workaholic. For years I have worked 7 days a week which caused other relationships to bend. As a person who has a day job, and then pastoring a church, I literally had no time off. It was my badge of honor. When people asked how I was, my answer was always the same, busy, busy, busy. I actually bragged about how much I worked. As I have matured in my faith, I come to recognize, that is not what God intended. Our priorities according to scripture are God, Spouse, children, parents, extended family, brother and sister in Christ, and then the world. When we fail to follow that priority list, the anxiety begins to show. God did not intend for us to work ourselves to the point relationships fail, including our relationship with God. In Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Focus on BE STILL. God is teaching us something here of great importance. Sometimes we need a break to strengthen those relationships. When we allow the world to interfere, trouble begins. My friends, when is the last time you were still? When is the last time you took time to talk to God, your spouse, your children without scrolling through social media or going to kids ball tournaments on Sundays? When is the last time you and your spouse took some alone time without any outside noise? Turn the phones off. Shut out the world, be still and then you will know God. Focusing on financial gain or financial stress is many times counter-productive.

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Guide to Marketing

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Every storm that we survive in our lives is a learning opportunity. How do we react to a similar storm in the future? Those who do not learn, are trapped in a vicious cycle destined to make the same mistakes and expose themselves to the same pain over and over again. We are all still recovering from the Covid pandemic. Depending on where you live, your experiences may be different than others. Those in Chicago have experienced the pandemic differently than those living in Orlando. Reviewing some of the things that happened to many people, here are items for attention that should be adhered to in preparation for another similar storm. First, make sure you have an emergency fund. There were many people who lost their paycheck involuntarily and suffered financially. An emergency fund could have made the negative experience more bearable. Secondly, have your affairs in order. Make sure your beneficiaries are updated as well as having a will or trust in place naming a durable power of attorney and healthcare representative. Thirdly, make sure your loved ones know where your important documents and accounts are. Do not assume they can find everything upon your death or illness. Make sure you are prepared by having non-perishable food in the house along with paper products, water, and gas. We all remember the toilet paper fiasco! Prepare your affairs as if this is your last day on Earth because it may be. Procrastination regarding financial stewardship is dangerous and irresponsible. If you need help, please seek good attorney and financial planner. You may also request a review from myself. Feel free to give me a call at 88-226-7614. God Bless

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Choose Your Education:

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