Healthy Moneyনমুনা

Day 1: Discovering Your Financial Mindset

It has been said that to really know ourselves, we must know who we are andwhose we are. As Christians, we believe we are created by God and God does not make mistakes. God formed you in your mother’s womb, and nothing is hidden from God. God knows you inside and out better than you could know yourself. Before a word is even formed on your tongue, God knows it. God knows us fully and loves us unconditionally.

What does any of this have to do with finances, you might ask? We all have certain wirings, who we are because of our personality and life experiences. That impacts the way we relate to money and possessions. It makes budgeting easier for some and harder for others. It helps some people be generous and others save every penny. All of us have strengths and areas in which we need to grow, as we mature in our faith and look a little more like Jesus today than we did yesterday.

When it comes to money, which financial mindset(s) describes you best?

Security Mindset:Someone with a security mindset keeps a constant financial safety net. They tend to be strong savers and budget cautiously, keep an emergency fund, and save for the future. They have to guard against a scarcity mindset and hoarding money. In a place of health, someone with a security mindset will learn to spend wisely, give generously, and take some calculated risks.

Collector Mindset:Someone with a collector mindset enjoys finding special items and caring for them (cars, antiques, art, baseball cards, trinkets). They have to guard against finding their value in material items, greed, and hoarding stuff. While some may appreciate the acquisition, and having the biggest, best, and latest model, more than the actual item, others have learned to cultivate contentment, to enjoy what they have, care for it, and use it to build relationships with others.

Benevolence Mindset:The person with a benevolence mindset loves to give and help others. They enjoy finding the perfect gift to bring another person joy. In unhealth, a person with a benevolence mindset has to watch codependency and self-neglect. If guilt or people pleasing are motivating their giving, there is an opportunity for spiritual growth. In health, those with a benevolence mindset use their generosity to build up God’s Kingdom and encourage others as a generosity champion. They take care of the needs of their family, but they live simply in order to give generously.

Carpe Diem Mindset:Someone with a carpe diem mindset is really good at celebrating life. They value experiences and want to create special memories, often with those they love. The temptation is to spend constantly and never to save. Delayed gratification and working toward long-term goals can be a challenge. In health, the person with a carpe diem mindset has learned the balance of prioritizing needs, saving regularly, but also enjoying special moments and experiences with God and others, and using those moments to build relationships to share God’s love.

Laissez Faire Mindset:Someone with a Laissez Faire Mindset tends to go with the flow and be relaxed. They aren’t overly focused on money or possessions. A person with a healthy laissez faire mindset has learned contentment like the apostle Paul (Philippians 4:11-12) and has surrendered everything to God in trust. In unhealth, this person can simply neglect finances and never work toward any goal, living irresponsibly. Resignation and defeatist mindset can be underneath these attitudes. The key difference can be asking “what does God want for your money?” Having a competent financial manager or a spouse to manage your money can also help.

Reflection Questions:

Which mindsets resonate the most with you?

How do those mindsets help you in achieving your financial goals and where do they require a little extra work to stay financially healthy?

Prayer

God, you know how you’ve wired me. Help me to honor you in all that I do, but especially in the area of my finances. Show me how to use my unique gifts and personality to honor you as I steward these resources for your glory. Amen.