Money is only a tool. It’s neutral. How it performs rely upon how we use it. Money may contribute to the solution, but it can likewise make the situation worse. It all depends on how skillful the user is.
The fact that we’re in financial trouble only means one thing: We mishandled the money. We still lack the skill to manage it well. At this level, more cash will only result in a messy-er situation.
So if you found yourself struggling financially, do not wish for more money. Wish for a better you.
LEARN ABOUT FINANCE
Will Steph Curry’s basketball shoes make us a better shooter?
Can a MacBook Pro make us publish better articles?
Will the latest smartphone improve our business?
No, if we are not skilled enough to use those tools.
Still, we tend to dig for more money than to educate ourselves about finance.
Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first 4 sharpening the ax. — Abraham Lincoln
Do we have a budget?
Are we aware of the expenses?
What are our assets and liabilities?
How can we save?
Where can we invest?
Is our cash flow healthy?
How much is our debt?
If we don’t have clear answers to those questions, we have some work to do.
NET WORTH IS A REFLECTION OF PERSONAL GROWTH
Our financial status is not based on how much money we have, but on who we are and how well we handle money. Our net worth is a mere reflection of our personal growth.
Wealth is all about becoming, not having. True wealthy people will continue to stay wealthy even if you take all riches away from them. They are not worried because their best asset is themselves.
On the flip side, give the poor all the money in the world and they will eventually get back to being poor. That’s the usual case for lottery winners. They’ll move from rags to riches, to rags again.
So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Matthew 25:28–29
THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN MONEY
A money problem is more than a money problem. It’s about behavior, attitude, and character. In short, it’s about us. We are the problem.
In gaming, characters cannot wield weapons higher than their capacity. A level 3 warrior cannot equip a level 10 sword. Why? Simply because he is not yet strong enough to use it. Captain America became “worthy” first before he was able to carry the Mjolnir — Thor’s Hammer.
In real life, however, we adults tend to overestimate ourselves. We rig the system to possess things which are actually beyond our capacity. We operate weapons we are not yet worthy of that’s why we hurt ourselves. See what happened to Iron Man in the Endgame. — Spoiler Alert — He died because neither his body nor his armor was strong enough to handle the stones.
In the same way, we use cash, credit cards, loans, and such, as if we know what we’re doing. In reality, those instruments are beyond our capability, hence the money problem. To fix it, there’s no way around but to become better versions of ourselves. Gamers call it “to Level-Up.”
BE BATTLE-READY
A character levels-up when it gained a certain amount of experience from battle. In other words, we level-up by defeating enemies.
Our enemies live within us. It can be as small as laziness or as big as addiction. In all cases, we should find ways to recognize and overcome them. A commitment to responsibility may exterminate laziness. A new habit may end the addiction.
No matter how we choose to face our foes expect that it’s going to be messy. We should always be ready for battle. There will be doubts, fears, pains, losses, and occasional defeats. But we will win as long as we do not give up.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you are unsure where to start, let me encourage you to begin your journey with the Word of God. Why? Because the Bible is the best financial book you could ever read.
The Bible talks about money a lot. Like, a LOT. It is the second most talked about topic next to God.
Below is a video by one of my favorite businessman and financial expert, Dave Ramsey. He shared 5 basic money principles found in the Bible. These principles shaped my financial life. I’m optimistic it will do the same to you.
IN A NUTSHELL
A money problem is more than a money problem. It’s about behavior, attitude, and character. In short, it’s about us. We are the problem.
This post was originally posted on TheLearningDadBlog on July 19, 2019.
Why Money Won’t Solve Your Money Problems was originally published in JeD Chan on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
