Practical Finance
Sometimes I am so focused on the heart issues around money, I forget the practical stuff.
Just ask our kids.
At home, David and I are often found analyzing, talking about, or uncovering some teaching, or understanding we are discovering about our hearts and money. If there is some profound Scripture that has captured us, or a quote from a book, we are sharing it together and learning it together. Whether the kids like it or not they are learning it too, albeit by osmosis.
Our book of choice at the moment is Dethroning Mammon – Making Money Serve Grace by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. An exceptional read. But I often say that, so you will need to decide for yourself.
We have been on this journey of financial and heart discovery for 10 years. It is a journey I might not have chosen, but it has chosen me. Perhaps, I should say that it is God who has placed me on this journey, if only to rescue my heart from materialism and greed.
When David came home that November day in 2007, and told me he would be helping Lynn Fraser create a coaching system for a new ministry called More Than Enough, I was almost speechless.
Actually my exact response was: “Oh no! Now we are going to have a budget and I will never be able to spend a single dime. We are going to have to live what we coach.”
My attitude was very wrong, and I have been able to spend many dimes on myself, and others. We have tried to live what we coach, and some moments that has been easier to do than others.
Ten years later, we have learned so much. I have no journey regrets. I have learned my heart needs Christ more and more. I have learned that He is my source. I have learned that money and possessions capture my heart more than I would like to admit. I have learned that He wants me free to trust Him more than anyone or anything. There are a million lessons in just 10 years.
And all of these things I am still learning.
I haven’t arrived. I, too, live in the world of mass media, mass advertising and daily temptations to overspend in a thousand ways. But there are big victories and small ones as I learn to walk daily with God in regards to our finances, and the resources he has poured out on us.
I have learned about my heart, and I have learned some great practical tips to keep me on-track financially. So, in honour of my husband, who is known as the “practical money guy”, I am going to leave you with some practical steps that will help your heart and mind stay focused on God, on your purpose, and helping others.
1. Put your purpose on the fridge
Keep track of your heart’s desires and dreams. Write that dream or purpose on paper. Put it on the refrigerator. Every time you are tempted to go into debt for something not related to that purpose, go find that paper with your dream, and remind yourself why you won’t spend the money. That dream paper will help you stay focused.
2. Put your credit card in the freezer
Okay, so I haven’t done this yet, but I have put it in my jewelry box, far away from any shopping mall. This helps me pay with cash or debit instead. This keeps me more connected with my money, and less likely to overspend. In a world of disconnection where “credit is king”, I sometimes need to put my credit cards where I cannot reach them. Again this is tied to my first tip today. I won’t be stealing from my purpose or my dream, if I keep my plastic cards at home.
3. Put $20 in your pocket and give it away
This is a small amount of money in today’s world, but this is one step in helping you live a life of generosity. This kind of giving is not attached to receiving a charitable receipt. God does not tell us in His Word, that we should only give when we receive a receipt. He says give when you see a need. Don’t worry about how people will spend it, listen to the prompting of God’s Spirit on your hearts and obey. This will loosen the grip you have on your money, but also will help you practice listening to the promptings of God. Perhaps you can help pay for someone’s groceries, buy someone’s lunch, pay for their coffee, or pay for their parking. The list is endless. Just try it and see if it doesn’t become a habit. Giving is habit-forming and contagious, and reflects the heart and DNA of our Creator, Father God. Just like the Canadian Blood Services likes to say: “It’s in you to give.”
Rebecca van Noppen is Communications Director at More Than Enough. She is also a teacher, home educator, writer, and woman who loves to pray. She works alongside her husband, Financial Coach David van Noppen, to help others find hope and freedom in Christ on their financial journeys.