PART 2

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCES IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

1Timothy 6:6-19

The are four (4) categories of people in the world:

a) The Haves
b) The Have Nots
c) The Yet to Have
d) The Use to Have

Often, (a) and (b) can't sleep. "The Haves' because of their money and 'The Have Nots' because they have no money.

There are four ways to protect your finances:

(1) It is certain: It is common, it is normal and it is certain that you can't escape economic uncertainty. Uncertainty is certain! 1Tim 6:17 - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
⁃ No single investment works every time, therefore, diversify into other areas to make money. Diversification is for a man of faith and a man of faith is a man that can take a risk. Even, God took a risk by creating man. Profit will always flow back to you when you diversify - send your grains across many waters.

⁃ Expect changes and look for opportunities within and around you. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, don't be too rigid to make changes when and where it is necessary in the pursuant of your goal.

⁃ In spite of the uncertainties, correct principles work correctly every time.

⁃ Where can we get timeless wisdom to unlock, hold and fasten our life during financial crises? The Bible! Biblical perspective is always right, always relevant and it never changes.

⁃ Job is uncertain, wealth is uncertain, savings/retirement plan is uncertain. Only God is certain - 1Tim 6: 17b …but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Psalm 62:5 …yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him (NIV)

⁃ Financial institutions come and go but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

(2) The most important economic indicator is not what the experts tells you: As a christian do not be led by sense knowledge in taking economic decision but be led by the spirit of God.

⁃ You account and cheque book is the best indicator of the state of your economy. The in-flow, out-flow and the balance in your account is the clear indicator of your state of economic health.

(3) Economic crisis creates a climate of tension, anxiety and fear: Ecl 7:7- Surely oppression makes a wise man mad… In times like this, you are either a thermostat or a thermometer. It is called a thermostat or thermometer principle.

⁃ When the atmospheric condition is unbearable, a thermometer turns red in panic. That is, the condition is what determines the reaction level of a thermometer. When the condition is bearable, the thermometer is stable but when the condition is unbearable, it panics and turns red.

⁃ The thermostat controls the atmospheric condition, it is in control, it gauges and determines the condition. Now, the question is; which one are you? A themometer or a thermostat?

⁃ You panic when your finances is going red because you think God is not faithful - A thermometer christian.

⁃ Be a thermostat christian. Control the economic climate around you by using the four (4) principle enumerated in part 1 of this write up.

(4) Regardless of the financial forecast control your approach: You can always control your approach, your attitude and your response to whatever the experts are forecasting- Job 3:25-26 -For the thing I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

⁃ Job was offering sacrifices unto God out of fear of what might happen. He was not doing it out of faith in God.

⁃ Sometimes, we work in fear thinking we are working in faith.

…to be continued

© Kayode Adebiyi (Kay Lord)

COMMON SENSE FINANCIAL STRATEGY FOR GODLY LIFE

Gen 47:11-15,27, 1Tim 5:1-16 (vs.8)

Faith and fear don't work together.

Goshen was a country within a country (Egypt), how come there was abundance in Goshen and scarcity in the other part?

Your financial prosperity is not determined by the country you live in but in your faith in God.

HARD FACTS

• We live in an economically challenging times.

• Economic crises (famine) is not new - Heroes of faith survived in famine, likewise a man of faith will sail within the famine.

• In times of economic crisis, the strength of your strategy will determine weather you thrive, survive, float or sink - sometimes poverty could be self inflicted, therefore, you must listen to what the spirit is saying and not on your own expertise in economics and finance.

• You can't prevent the economic whirlwind from coming into your house to smash one or two windows. You can't control which direction the economic whirlwind will blow - you can build your own financial house to withstand the wind of economic crisis.

You must develop what is called, WISE FINANCIAL PRACTICES. That is, having a good leadership quality to drive your life/home. That is what guarantees your financial success.

There are four (4) basic principles for financial success but there are some truths about this four basic principles that I believe you must know.

TRUTHS ABOUT THE FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS

• They are so simple and can be overlooked.
• They work rather the economy is in boom or doom, inflation or deflation.
• Best time to apply this four (4) principles is before the economic crisis, but if you are already hit, the only way out is to apply this principles.
• It would also prevent future crises.

FOUR (4) BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS

▪ Think long term with goals and investing:
What you do in times of economic boom will determine what you will do during economic crunch.
Set goals in writing for the future
Invest and plan for long terms and not short terms
Goal setting is a faith process.

▪ Our yearnings are usually more than our earnings:
Spend less than you earn (financial discipline).
Make a spending plan, that is, a budget.
Like you do a medical check up, like wise always do a financial check up - (a) what do I owe (b) what do I own (c) how much am I spending (d) how strong is my safety net (savings).
Develop spend control to avoid overspending
If you consistently spend less than you earn, you will do fine financially.

▪ Maintain liquidity and emergency saving:
A reserve set aside will help you ride the surprises life throw at you.
Savings will help to avoid debt
Spending less is better than earning more
Don't use your health to get your wealth by overworking so that you don't use your wealth to fix your health
Being frugal is the cornerstone of wealth building

▪ Minimise the use of debt:
Debt increases risk
It may allow you to have more now but it will not allow you to have more in the future.
Stop unneccessary 'aso ebi' purchases if it does not fit into your budget.

NOTE: The first thing Joseph did in order to salvage the intending doom of famine was to do a financial check up. Thereafter, he set goals and he had a plan. He built store houses to save during the boom period. In order words, he maintained a disciplined attitude by not utilising every of the resources of the boom period, rather he saved a percentage in the store houses that he built.

Have you taken time to wonder how come other people within the same nation were coming to Joseph during the famine for food? Everybody had a seven (7) years of abundance, how come Joseph had savings and others didn't have? Gen 47:15.

….to be continued

© Kayode Adebiyi (Kay Lord)