Why we love MONEY (and you should too..)

By: Charlene Fadirepo

YES, I LOVE MONEY –I do get a little excited on the 15th and 30th since it is payday. Sometimes I take a peek at my accounts randomly just because. I take great pride in the fact that I was a financially independent woman well before I got married. And the research shows that contrary to popular thought money can buy happiness.  So don’t judge me.

Yes- I do love money, but I don’t love it  for the usual reasons. Its not because money buys bling-bling, stuff, and more stuff. And I definitely don’t love the things that money does to people.  Check out what Paul Piff says about that –he did a social experiment to figure out how money changes behavior.Does Money Make You Mean?  Before you look at my financial services background and expect me to start spouting off  my own version of a  Gordon Gecko rant. Here me out.

The Bible is very clear about the love of money—and it warns against it –simply because it CAN take you further away from Him.

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“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 : 10

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Yep – I think the love of  money can be the root of all evil, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, money can create a door to massive amounts of opportunity. And that is why I love money. Money is the key to changing lives for the better. Money is the key to making dreams come true. Money means security and best of all –peace of mind.  Couldn’t we all use a little more of that? When is the last time you were actually able to RELAX about your finances?

Financial peace of mind take practice, preparation and planning.It take tough decisions, a strong support system and lots of encouragement.

Establishing a secure financial future  for you and your family is the absolute best gift you can give your children. It is way better than the next awesome plastic blob you can add to the pile under the tree.I believe that if God blesses you with an abundance of money,  it is your duty to be a good steward of that resource. Well what the heck does that mean? Well–let’s first agree on what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean to hoard your money like a miser while people suffer around you. It also doesn’t mean you should stand on the corner and empty your pockets since you are riddled with guilt because of your good fortune and others’ misfortune.

So what does being a good steward of your money mean?

• Know who your money really belongs too- The first step in being a good steward of your money is to recognize it is not yours! (Weird, huh?) You see anything(and everything) you or I have is really on loan from God. God gives us a little –and then he sees what we are going to do with it. If we are good stewards with a little –he gives us a little more. And if we are good stewards with a little more–then he gives us even more. One of my favorite pastor’s Pastor Andy of  World Overcomers Christian Church said it best –how can God continue to make your cup overflow if you don’t pour a little out to help someone else? Think about it. There won’t be any space in your cup to receive more–if you don’t first give!! (Yep –its a tough tough lesson –one admittedly that I have struggled with in the past.) But it makes soo much sense.  In fact –(true story) -the times in my life when I have been the most faithful giver are the times were I have experienced the most abundance. And I know God does this on purpose to help teach a stubborn mom like me that giving is the key to having.

• Know when ENOUGH is ENOUGH – Figure out how much you need to make each year to live comfortably. What is your magic number? Find it, plan to be comfortable there or start working toward a plan to get there. Some people spend their entire lives chasing that elusive dollar and they never find happiness.

• Let your Faith drive your money decisions- All too often we compartmentalize God right out of our lives. And we definitely don’t like him in our wallets! But that is exactly where he needs to be. People usually spend their time–where they spend their money. And following your dollars can say much more about you than you might be willing to admit. (present company included) Read about how 3 families juggle money and their faiths –the Saroyas, the Perrets, and the Koemans. All of these families have different faiths but the common thread is that their faith was a central driver their family’s money decision making. This is so critical.

Wanna know how to get started?

Think about the following statements and fill in the blank:

I love money because money means ________________.

Having more money would allow me to__________________________.

If I had more money, I would do_______________

How much is more ______________?

Name 3 things you can to today to SAVE more money or EARN more money.

Think about one thing you learned in this blog post that you can share with your children.