Key #1 – Spend less than you make
It’s a privilege for Family Life Radio to partner with other ministries, agencies and businesses across the nation—all of whom share the vision to help others experience hope in the name of Jesus. This month, please meet Brian Cochran and John Moore from John Moore Associates, a respected financial advice company founded on biblical wisdom.
Six keys to your financial wellness
Brian Cochran, CKA®, CFP®, Financial Planner
John Moore, CKA®, CIMA®, Principal
The John Moore Associates team could not be more excited to serve as a business partner with Family Life Radio. For over 21 years, we have helped families become intentional in their financial planning and investment decisions through the application of biblical principles.
Did you know there are over 2,000 verses in God’s Word relating to money and material possessions? From these Scriptures come six key principles that can serve as your foundation for wise stewardship and financial wellness:
- Spend less than you make
- Be prudent about debt
- Build liquidity
- Set long-term goals
- Act like a manager, not an owner
- Give generously
Let’s look at the first principle- Spend less than you make. Living within your means is a simple principle and serves as the foundation for financial success. It is also very easily violated. Our modern culture pushes us to spend all we have and more in the search for meaning, acceptance and happiness. We are bombarded with the message that if we can raise our standard of living just a bit more, we will find joy. The bible teaches us differently. Luke 12:15 is one of many warnings about possessions- “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Are you violating this principle? A spending audit may be in order. Many banks provide reports for credit card and bank accounts to help you understand where you are spending. You may consider enrolling in a mobile or desktop application that allows you to aggregate multiple accounts for a more comprehensive view. Many apps include budgeting tools to help you set goals and receive alerts when you violate spending goals. Once you know where the money is going, you can reflect on your spending and look for categories that do not reflect your values. Does your spending reflect your belief that God owns it all, and he cares how you spend it?
Thankfully, God’s grace extends to our stewardship of his assets. We are not expected to be perfect. However, God does care about our heart and perspective about money. Do you seek joy and fulfillment in possessions, or do you feel a sense of gratefulness and contentment? Acknowledging the emotions around spending is an important first step to spending wisely and creating the margin required to be successful with your money.
We look forward to helping you go deeper into God’s principles in the coming months through Family Life Radio.
More Keys to Financial Wellness: