money, money, money

Money, Money, MOney

   ​Money, money, money. Money is loved, money is hated. Money is needed. Money is wanted. Money has power (to some). Money can bring happiness, money can bring sadness. Money can be an idol. Money can be a downfall. Money thinks it can buy love. Money can save lives. Money can bring death. Money is an anomaly.           Money is an influence in everyone’s lives – big or small. How much of an influence is it in your life? When I ran a twitter poll, I asked my twitter family what they would like me to write on. The choices were: Relationship with God, Finances/money, relationships and substance abuse.  It was a tie 39% wanted posts about relationship with God and 39% about finances/money. I was a little surprised with the results.
      I know you’re probably thinking; why is a Public health professional writing about money? Money, like many other things can affect your health. Stress from money issues can manifest into physical health symptoms like headaches, high blood pressure, and mental health issues like anxiety and irritability. Your health is influenced by its environment, with your home being its biggest influence. Your Parents, how you were raised, what goes on in your house, what money was spent on, etc. are/were influences.
      Many people bring with them to adulthood money values (or non-values) from childhood.  It can be a good or bad thing. I want you to take some time to think about how your parents dealt with money. Now come back to the present and take time and think how you deal with money. Are there similarities? Differences? If you are married, ask your spouse to do the same. Write down your answers and discuss them.
      Many issues have a root cause. How your parents viewed money may be a root cause to how you view money. (Please see my previous post Investigating root causes of habits and behaviors and download the free root cause analysis worksheet.) Fear not, that is not the end all be all. You have the power to deal with money in a healthy way. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)
    When God is in your life and you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior money issues can be a thing of the past. Remember God doesn’t want us to worry about anything! “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 (NIV) (Aa fav verse I repeat constantly) If you have a skewed view about money. Lay it on the altar and ask God for the wisdom to handle money in a way that is pleasing to Him. He will help you. Believe it. Of course, you have work to do: like to change your spending habits and /or getting professional financial help. (I will cover spending in the post next week).
      There are many Biblical principles about money. The most important one is tithing.  “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV). Tithing is 10% of your income. There are many financial gurus who say pay yourself first, they have it wrong. Pay God first, then yourself. You won’t go wrong. It goes like this: God gave his son Jesus to pay for our sins, we give God our first fruits (10%), He gives back to us 10 fold! Isn’t that awesome! God continually blesses us when we just trust and obey Him (without grumbling and arguing, see Phil 2:14).
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  Your homework (this is for your personal use, you don’t have to turn it in to me!):

•  Think about how your parents viewed money and your present view of money (as stated in the earlier part of this post).
• Check out the root cause post if you haven’t already.
• Read the book of Proverbs. Write down all the verses that talk about wealth, money and/or poverty. Read over them daily, hang them on your bathroom or bedroom mirror, share them with your spouse. Are there some that the Holy Spirit is pointing to? Maybe you need to work on it.
• Ask: am I honoring God with my money and spending habits?
• Start tithing if you aren’t already.
• Pray, trust and obey God.
• Sign up for the free 5 day She Who Honors challenge! (you know I had to plug that!).
• Share, like, comment and follow me!
• Click for free She Who Honors Money Journal sheet 

                                                    Love ya!