For your ‘bigger picture’. Scripture has more to say about finances than any other topic. At least 1x per year, I sit with my ‘patients’ for a ‘checkup’.
~ For your self examination. An outline primer for our ‘therapist’ session(s) on your financial health and awareness.
It’s recommended that you consider ‘Your CHECKLIST‘ at least annually & after any significant changes. Most important point here is when 1 area of your financial life changes, it’s highly probable that it will impact other aspects.
Hence, we recommend giving the ‘bigger picture’ to any of your financial professionals when there is a change, as well as those that may be advising and counseling you in other ways (eg: religious, interpersonal, career, medical).
As a practical matter, it’s helpful for your professional to know:
your level of familiarity (comfort/ knowledge) with the topic(s)
from novice (little/ no knowledge)
to familiar with terms (a basic working knowledge),
to experienced.
Further, and perhaps related, are you:
in a planning stage?
Or the ‘simply need maintenance’ stage?
Or perhaps ‘crisis’ mode.
To summarize: which of 3 stages of knowledge, and which of 3 stages of life application.
Couples should complete as a team. On many topics, its important for children to be at least aware of many of these topics for learning, if not brought in for their role in the family unit & expectations in many areas.
The premise of teachings: from Larry Burkett are ‘to transform people and society through the principles and practices of God’s economy.
Why I like it: is that everything, time/ talent/ and financial increase, belongs to God. We are to store up our treasures in heaven, not earth. While we are here, we are called to follow work ethic (Psalms) and invest (Matt 25 story of talents) and help those in need (Matt 25 sheep and goats).
Premise: live below your means now, enjoy the future more and bless others.
I lean in to the tools, but be aware that ‘endorsed providers’ are not as much a personalized or local referral but a format that is a mix of direct and indirect paid advertising by the professionals ‘endorsed’. I recommend finding an astute local person of character and sufficient wisdom to discern, to give you a list of professionals they’d recommend – AND why they recommend them specifically.
As always, mentor and be a scriptural example to others God places in your path. They need your testimony:
You’ll want to watch a couple times to get it. Then, you’ll want to share it with those that don’t ~ get it. Get it?
The point for believers here is God has outlined your actions. Reactions can confuse and frustrate all persons to a higher degree than where you may be at. Unless you choose as a ‘reaction’ to follow predetermined ‘actions’, you will be like a car accident on an icy road, sliding all about and crashing uncontrollably. BE the control of thy self. Hint:
If you dare claim Christ as your Savior, the ‘speck n plank’, and ‘in the same way you will be judged’ are all scriptures you need to put in front of your speaking and actions.
Me too!
🙂
Challenge to the challenged:
Look not to remove the speck from another’s eye until you remove the plank from your own. This could take a while. But you will ‘draw close to God and he will draw close to you’. Who can take down a team such as this? To the married, ‘a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken’.
“Wisdom in the counsel of many”. Many what, random people? Grandma passed in 1987, but she is wiser now to me than ever before. John Wesley, Samaritans Purse, ministries to the forgotten, lost and hurting, these are my role models. The widow who gives her ‘mite’, she gives everything. Those that care for them that can return nothing? Psalm 1 comes to mind, the definition of a righteous man. For years I’d look for feedback from those I thought ‘wise’. They looked successful, educated, ‘all together’. As time passed, I’d see how they spent time (secular entertainment, worldly pursuits), I’d see what filled their mind (non-faith based motivational books, secular novels) and then ‘fruit’. If you see ‘fruit’ for the kingdom being produced by their efforts, Fruit of the Spirit in conduct this is good. If you hear God’s word quoted: good. If you otherwise hear ‘the one with the biggest stick wins! (God? not Goliath?), or ‘well, Murphy’s law’ (vs. All things work for good if you love the Lord and follow His purpose), or other such, look for those that consistently start and end with the Lord. They pray with you asap, they give you relevant scriptures and lead you to seek the Holy Spirit, to come into closer fellowships with bible study groups, etc. Then my friend, you will have found a rare jewel, ‘… the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Proverbs 20:15
When and how to act: Test against these –
Scriptural alignment – not only selected out of context verses that might support you otherwise.
Bathed in prayer. Ask others to join in prayer for a leading.
Leading of the Holy Spirit – outgrowth of prayer time.
Timing. Could this be done better later? Or after God opens door(s). Are doors shutting consistently?
Wise counsel.
Keep seeking. Think Ecclesiates for what is of value, Psalms 1, 23, 119, etc for peace, Romans for instruction, and memorize Matt 5,6,7 Christs sermon on the Mount. With that alone you’ll probably find resolve.
Next step to victory: Focus on others. Volunteer at the mission. Bring in a homeless friend. Host a bible study. Attend as many studies as you can – with new people you don’t know. Support a local fellowship where your support can make a difference and shares the uncompromised Word of God. From personal experience I can attest these are all wonderful healing activities.
The Lord Bless you and Keep You !!!
OTHER READINGS:
I don’t dismiss or envy what you may be facing. Always glad to hear from you, pray for you. While you wait on the Lord in this storm, consider how you will be a blessing to others that need you after this learning time. Become equipped for them. They will need your testimony:
You have hard questions and need wisdom, perhaps start here.
The L’Abri communities are study centers in Europe, Asia and America where individuals have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about God and the significance of human life.
Want to know how infinitely complex scripture is, and why its simple wisdom can be trusted? You may enjoy Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, click on the book picture to “look inside”. You’ll be fascinated. One of many books I pass along to clients/ friends.
Blessings !
My Quora ‘wisdom’ ~ under the Quora name of my ‘scribe assistant.’
Oh, let me count the ways. Let not your heart be troubled.
One grandmother – the English speaking one – seemed to never answer our questions directly. Or did she? She’d invariably say: ‘well, you know what the Bible says, ……..’ And there you have it. Perfect wisdom as its from the author of wisdom, God himself.
If you are in a challenge or know someone that is, you may be looking for answers. I’d ‘challenge’ you to ‘seek and you shall find’.
Shall I look less for satisfaction from God oppressing the enemy or more in the delights of deliverance. If I was preaching this would hence be a ‘2-part series’.
So, God oppressing the enemy vs. your deliverance.
Will God empower you to fell your Goliath who taunted until his challenge was accepted? He was dropped to the ground and his head was taken off, with his own sword no less. Weeks of taunting. No one else was provided to stop the attacks, so God enabled the taunted to overcome the taunter. Could you imagine it would have ended this way? In such utter triumph? I can attest I’ve seen in over and over, in my life, in our home. Such remarkable – and often very personal – details, that we’ve shared specifics when God is bringing those who need to hear His encouragement, and we’ve been placed in the position.
Or will God set you free and let you oppressor to bring his own fate like Pharoah? “I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him” (Exodus 3:19) He did his best to oppress the ‘less fortunate’, and seemed blind to the consequences that came with his God-voice-rejecting actions. Plagues came, people died, finally even his own son! What next? He said:“Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.”“Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.” Foolishly, he continued to chase after Moses and his people. The story splits in 2 here: the group with Moses had no where to turn, pinned against the sea with Pharaoh’s crushing army in pursuit! They blamed Moses. (Have you been blamed for following the Word of God tested against the Spirits leading, coupled with wise counsel of mature followers of Christ?) You know how the story ends. If Pharaoh had known ‘vengeance is mine says the Lord’ he’d have not drown with his blind followers in battle. What a story the delivered have for discipling others!
Challenge to the challenged:
Look not to remove the speck from anothers eye until you remove the plank from your own. This could take a while. But you will ‘draw close to God and he will draw close to you’. Who can take down a team such as this? To the married, ‘a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken’.
“Wisdom in the counsel of many”. Many what, random people? Grandma passed in 1987, but she is wiser now to me than ever before. John Wesley, Samaritans Purse, ministries to the forgotten, lost and hurting, these are my role models. The widow who gives her ‘mite’, she gives everything. Those that care for them that can return nothing? Psalm 1 comes to mind, the definition of a righteous man. For years I’d look for feedback from those I thought ‘wise’. They looked successful, educated, ‘all together’. As time passed, I’d see how they spent time (secular entertainment, worldly pursuits), I’d see what filled their mind (non-faith based motivational books, secular novels) and then ‘fruit’. If you see ‘fruit’ for the kingdom being produced by their efforts, Fruit of the Spirit in conduct this is good. If you hear God’s word quoted: good. If you otherwise hear ‘the one with the biggest stick wins! (God? not Goliath?), or ‘well, Murphy’s law’ (vs. All things work for good if you love the Lord and follow His purpose), or other such, look for those that consistently start and end with the Lord. They pray with you asap, they give you relevant scriptures and lead you to seek the Holy Spirit, to come into closer fellowships with bible study groups, etc. Then my friend, you will have found a rare jewel, ‘… the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Proverbs 20:15
When and how to act: Test against these –
‘All the tea in China’ won’t do it!
Scriptural alignment – not only selected out of context verses that might support you otherwise.
Bathed in prayer. Ask others to join in prayer for a leading.
Leading of the Holy Spirit – outgrowth of prayer time.
Timing. Could this be done better later? Or after God opens door(s). Are doors shutting consistently?
Wise counsel.
Keep seeking. Think Ecclesiates for what is of value, Psalms 1, 23, 119, etc for peace, Romans for instruction, and memorize Matt 5,6,7 Christs sermon on the Mount. With that alone you’ll probably find resolve.
Next step to freedom: Focus on others. Volunteer at the mission. Bring in a homeless friend. Host a bible study. Attend as many studies as you can – with new people you don’t know. Support a local fellowship where your support can make a difference and shares the uncompromised Word of God. From personal experience I can attest these are all wonderful healing activities.
The Lord Bless you and Keep You !!!
OTHER READINGS:
I don’t dismiss or envy what you may be facing. Always glad to hear from you, pray for you. While you wait on the Lord in this storm, consider how you will be a blessing to others that need you after this learning time. Become equipped for them. They will need your testimony:
You have hard questions and need wisdom, perhaps start here.
The L’Abri communities are study centers in Europe, Asia and America where individuals have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about God and the significance of human life.
Want to know how infinitely complex scripture is, and why its simple wisdom can be trusted? You may enjoy Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, click on the book picture to “look inside”. You’ll be fascinated. One of many books I pass along to clients/ friends.
Blessings !
My Quora ‘wisdom’ ~ under the Quora name of my ‘scribe assistant.’
One of many answers I’ve written, authored under the Quora name of my ‘scribe assistant.’ .
I see this passive perspective in many: I don’t believe in “______” – translation: by and large because I’m ignorant of “_____”
The more you study, the more realistic.
At a secular university I took old and new testament classes – when the professors read Psalms in Hebrew, there was a new perspective. Complex simplicity if you will in the original language not present in English. If you are truly interested in the answer, you might start w/ Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, click on the book picture to “look inside”. You’ll be fascinated. One of many books I pass along to clients/ friends.
The first L’Abri community was founded in Switzerland in 1955 by Dr. Francis Schaeffer and his wife, Edith. Dr. Schaeffer was a Christian theologian and philosopher who also authored a number of books on theology, philosophy, general culture and the arts. The L’Abri communities are study centers in Europe, Asia and America where individuals have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about God and the significance of human life.
The first few years of a marriage are rife with conflicts, but the emotional weather eventually changes, according to a new study … In time, humor—friendly teasing, jokes, and silliness—becomes more prevalent, and bickering and criticisms decline.
These findings, … were reached after psychologists analyzed videotaped interactions of 87 couples who had been married 15 to 35 years, and followed them over 13 years.
The study’s conclusions contradict an existing theory that positive emotions fade over time in a long relationship.
I stand by my perspective that during ‘serious’ or ‘conflicted’ communications, speak: slow, calm, without adjectives, as factually as possible, in short digestable sentences. This is never a time for a ‘joke’…. You’ve been warned ;-).
First, why do you need it? I’d say simply to carry out the Great Commandment and Great Commission. Isn’t that your life purpose? (I pray it is or will be).
memorizing scripture passages have helped me in this area … its my starting point for thought/speak. knowing to start there instead of other ‘sources of wisdom’ is key. To me, there is no wisdom that doesn’t filter thru scripture. … I’d rather read Matt 5,6,7 Sermon on the Mount (I can resolve most anything here) than a bunch of don’t-fit-together sayings, quotes and illustrations. Once I turned off media for 1 yr so I wouldn’t get any ‘opinions’ confusing me.
Further reading: Here you will find our 2-fold life purpose, vertical worship of God, horizontal discipling of fellow man:
In Matthew 22:34-46, Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees about what is the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ question in Matthew 22:37-39 saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Following His statements, in Matthew 22:40, Jesus says that everything in the Law and Prophets depends on these two commandments. Strikingly, Jesus ends this discussion with the Pharisees in Matthew 22:42-46 asking them, “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” and no one is able to answer.
We’ve already discussed the importance of having ‘tools’ ahead of need. One resource I mentioned we use is http://odb.org aka: Our Daily Bread. You can listen and follow along in many languages & translations. Further, the website offers classes – many free – such as these:
eventually changes, according to a new study … In time, humor—friendly teasing, jokes, and silliness—becomes more prevalent, and bickering and criticisms decline.
One resource I mentioned we use is 
Mentoring Marriages 