The Word On Finances

What we focus on becomes our reality.

God can make all grace abound in you, so that you may always have enough of everything and abound in every good work.

Reflection: God rewards all our good works in His own way. This way invariably provides us with an opportunity to accomplish even better works.

___St. Teresa of Avila

As stewards of all God's gifts, we must prepare for the future of those entrusted assets. As we prepare, we must ask a few fundamental questions.

Our first priority is helping you take care of yourself and your family. We want to learn more about your personal situation, identify your dreams and goals, and understand your risk tolerance. Long-term relationships that encourage open, honest communication have been the cornerstone of my foundation of success.

GOALS: Meaningful life planning always begins with goals. As goals always concern the future, they are acts of faith and one of the primary ways that I can see God at work in my financial affairs. A goal is not a goal until it is measured in terms of amount and time period.

LIFESTYLE: The Bible does not define an appropriate lifestyle. Lifestyle is determined by each family unit for itself. Financial contentment does not result from a particular lifestyle, but rather, from living within the means of God's provision.

PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS: The five principles of financial success are to:
Spend less than you earn - Proverbs 13:11
Avoid the use of debt - Proverbs 22:7
Build liquidity - Proverbs 6:6-8
Set long-term goals - Philippians 3:14
Believe that God owns it all - Psalm 24:1

INVESTMENTS: Investments are a tool one uses to accomplish financial objectives and are not an end-all solution; margin is important in every plan.

INCOME TAXES: Scripture commands that people pay their taxes. Taxes should never be a source of cash-flow problems, as they can always be adequately planned for.

LIFE INSURANCE: Life insurance should play an integral part in any financial plan, and buying life insurance does not demonstrate a lack of faith, but rather prudent planning.

WEALTH TRANSFER: Wealth transfer differs from estate planning in that it begins during one's lifetime, and it considers the impact on the beneficiary as its primary objective. A beneficiary should never be surprised by the steward's decisions. It is the last stewardship decision that God allows the steward to make.

TRAINING CHILDREN: It is by faith, with commitment, that a parent trains a child in the principles and skills of money management. Both money and wisdom can be left to children, but wealth left without wisdom can have dire consequences on future generations.