THE GIFT OF MONEY 22; BE THOUGHTFUL, LEAVE A TIP

"Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people." - Dennis Prager 

In the days when an ice cream Sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream Sundae?” he asked. “50¢,” replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “35¢!” she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the Sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

The normal custom for humans - myself included - is to try to "CAN all we can get, and GET all we can CAN." That very character reminds us of children, who attempt to get everything for themselves, with their tiny hands until they become so full they can't get anything else. In actual fact, that's how we are - most of us. Always thinking ONLY of ourselves; what we have, what we need, how we can get more and how we can preserve the little we have. The reality of the matter is that we have to grow up.

THE GIFT OF MONEY 21; DEVELOP A SAVINGS CULTURE

“A part of all I earn is mine to keep” – The Richest Man In Babylon

A lot of people save, but making "saving" a culture is usually the challenge. For only when savings are sustained do they have the accumulated power to yield any reasonable returns. Notice here that the key instruction here is, "develop a savings culture" - not "try saving some money." That’s where the problem is.

Every month, Julia and her cousins would go for the big family meal at their grandparents' house. They would always wait excitedly for the moment their grandfather would give them a few coins." Some of the children thought that they would save their money, but Ruben and Nico, the two youngest kids, paid no attention, and they continued spending all on candy. Ruben and Nico made Clara and Joe so angry that they could no longer stand saving their money. They joined Ruben and Nico in spending whatever they had, as soon as possible, on candy.

Alex, on the other hand, had a will of iron. He saved and saved all the money he was given, wanting to win the competition, and at the end of the year he had collected more money than anyone. Even better, with so much money, he managed to buy candy at a reduced price, so that on the day of the competition he was presented with enough candy that would last a year. And even then, he still had enough left over for a toy. He was the clear winner, and the rest of his cousins learned from him the advantages of knowing how to save and how to wait.

THE GIFT OF MONEY 20; LEARN TO INVEST

“Do you know, the only thing that gives me pleasure? It’s to see my dividends coming in” - John D. Rockefeller 

An important step on the journey to financial freedom is INVESTING. Investment is what you do with your savings. Some people, after they saved and successfully accumulated funds fall into the temptation of a spending spree; with the long accumulated savings. Make no mistake about it, savings aren't accumulated for future spending, but for investment.

A rich man once called his servants - all three of them - and gave them money. Soon after he went on a long journey into a far country. To one he gave $5,000 to another he gave $2,000 and to the last he gave $1,000 according to their respective capacities. The first got himself busy with his own money; he went into business. Soon, he made $10,000. The second did the same and soon, he too was the proud owner of $4,000. The third servant, however did nothing. On return from his journey, the rich man inquired from his servants what they'd done with their money; the first and the second servants gave their financial reports and immediately got over one million fold promotion from their master.

THE GIFT OF MONEY 19; DEVELOP A SAVINGS CULTURE 2

“Next to God the creator, the best person there is to pay before anyone else is yourself” – Uka Francis

To spend all you have all the time is poverty mentality. The poor save what is left after spending, while the rich spend what is left after saving.

One of the non-negotiable habits of the rich is compulsive saving. Many of us are very good at paying - we pay our tailors, cobblers, teachers, and everyone else but ourselves. This kind of trend makes wealth creation a dream forever.

In my little town, years ago nothing surprising ever used to happen; but it did one day, when a little girl and her brother went door to door asking for money - when everyone knew they had very wealthy parents. She knocked at our door and my mother opened, and she asked for money, surprised I replied, 

THE GIFT OF MONEY 18; WHAT MONEY ISN'T

"A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money." - John Ruskin 

Sure money is a specially useful "piece of paper" to have lots of. A whole lot of it; if I may add. But no matter how many shelves or bank accounts of it that one has, or acquires there are certain things that it can't and won't do. Before we consider what it isn't, let me first state that, money, can get you a lot of beautiful things - make no mistake about it. I tell you. I'm not averse to acquiring lots of money, or the attendant goodies that comes with it, not at all, but I have come to realize that most of life's greatest gifts aren't those called "money".

He'd lost his job, he was homeless, his bank accounts were in the red, as a matter of fact you could describe him as a broke, busted and worse than

THE GIFT OF MONEY 17; POOR!

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” - B. Franklin

As we continue our series on money, this morning allow me X-Ray a state no one wants to be in; it's called, Poverty - Especially one that is characterized by the lack of money. I am sure you're asking the question what other types of poverty are there, if it’s not the lack of money?

Well, truth be told, the lack of money is actually a manifestation of poverty and not really the state of it, because being poor is actually a mindset that eventually begins to show outwardly in your financial life. In-fact there may be some people around you that are poor, but presently have some cash to throw around and some other folks that are rich but presently seem to have no cash, time will tell. Allow me share some characteristics of poor people with you.

The first is that I have noticed that POOR (Passing Over Opportunities Repeatedly) people VALUE liabilities more than assets. The story is told of a store keeper

IT'S IN HIS HANDS

"Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelms us." - Jerry Bridges

A newly married warrior was returning home with his wife, from a conquest. They were crossing a sea, when suddenly a great storm arose; tossing their boat boisterously back and forth. The wife became very scared, the situation was hopeless - she thought. The boat was small and the storm was really massive. They were going to be drowned. But surprisingly in the midst of all the storm's raging, the warrior sat silently, calm and quiet - as if he as if nothing bad was happening.

Trembling and she said, “Are you not afraid?” "This may be our last time together; I don’t believe we will be able to reach the shore, because only God can save us; otherwise death is certain." She continued.

"Are you not afraid?"
"Have you lost your mind or something?"

Laughing, he took his sword out of its sheath. Then he brought it close to the woman’s neck, so close that, he could easily chop her head off with just a swing - there was just a small gap between her neck and the sword

"Are you afraid?” He asked her,
"Why should I be afraid, if the sword is in your hands?", she continued, "as long as it's in your hand I'm not afraid, I know you love me...you'll never allow me to be hurt" she replied.

THE GIFT OF MONEY 16; THE RAINY DAY

"Enough is better than too much" - French Proverb 

For the most part, deciding where the line is drawn between wise saving and foolish hoarding is not a matter of money; it's a matter of the heart. Certainly, in our quest to live as stewards of God's resources, it makes sense to maintain a reserve large enough to handle some of life's tougher financial circumstances, such as an extended period of unemployment.

Teaching us about saving money, the Bible uses the word "fool" a number of times. (Consider Proverbs 21:20, and Luke 12:16-20).

The key to figuring out how much money you should keep in reserve, includes knowing your household's essential needs monthly. If you were to lose your (source of ) income, taking your next vacation or updating your wardrobe probably would (definitely) not come up as important, on your priorities list - but there are certain bills you'd still need to pay, such as your mortgage, utilities, groceries, and insurance. If you don't already have a budget, create one today. Financial planners often recommend maintaining an emergency fund large enough to cover three-to-six months' worth of essential living expenses. So, take your one-month figure and multiply by six.

THE GIFT OF MONEY 15; FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE

“Intelligence solves problems & produces money. Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” - Robert T. Kiyosaki 

It is God’s duty to bless you, but it is entirely and absolutely your responsibility to prosper. It is God that gives you the power to get wealth. I like you to please realize, that "power" in this context refers to financial intelligence.

There once was a very rich man in a city, to whom many people used to go; either to seek help, or borrow some money - he was a kind and benevolent man. He had a secretary who usually processed and ushered in his visitors. Of all the men that frequented this rich man’s lush courts, the secretary singled out one fellow; he behaved very differently. While others came to receive, this man usually came to give and then sit to have a chat with the rich man. Sometimes, he came early, then he'd wait for all else to see the rich man and return, before he'd take his turn - so he can get some time to chat with him. A few years down the line, he too began to receive visitors, who came to seek help or borrow money, amongst whom was the secretary of the first rich man. The secretary complained that his master gave money to every other person, but not him. "What's your secret?" The secretary asked. Then he told the secretary how that he used to take gifts to - his boss - the rich man, and then would sit there to inquire from the man, his secrets. So while others went for the money, he went for the secrets that made the money. So, by applying the secrets he too became rich.

TURNING PRESSURE TO POWER

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller

 

Have you ever ironed a rumbled shirt, or have you ever placed a hot iron on your skin by mistake and could you tell the difference, and outcome between, the hot iron on your skin and on the rumpled shirt? No doubt you have. Someone said, "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars". Do you ever wonder what would happen if you attempted to eat a bowl of rice raw? And what finally happens when you put that rice into water, and through fire; I'm sure your mouth is watery right now as you remember the most delicious meal of rice you had sometime, as you read this line. You're not alone.

Have you ever admired a bowl of nicely, diced or chopped fruits in a fruit salad? Can you for a moment see a mental picture; like you had one in front of you this morning. Do you know what "properly" cooked beans, with beautifully fried (and ripe) plantain tastes like - I apologize to those who don't quite fancy beans - take your mind off of your distaste for beans a while and focus on the process all these delicacies go through, before they come out what the are meant to be. That's where I like to dwell this morning.

I don't know what it is you're battling, grappling or fighting with in your life. Does it feel like you're in the boxing ring with life and life seems to have knocked your teeth out, left your eyes swollen and lips busted? Does it feel like life has sliced and diced you so bad that you're now in tiny little meaningless chunks? Do you feel like the rice, the water is

THE GIFT OF MONEY 11; A BLESSING, NOT A CURSE!

"Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants." - Benjamin Franklin 

Two neighbours; Frank, and Pat lived next to each other. Pat was a poor teacher. Frank was a landlord. Pat used to be very relaxed and happy never bothering about things Frank bothered about; like closing his doors and windows at night. He slept soundly always, even though he didn't have much money - he was a peaceful man. Frank on the other hand was always tensed, and he worried greatly about things; he was always very keen on closing his doors and windows at night - he didn't have much sleep. The thought of always being robbed bothered him; he always felt someone would break open his safes and steal his money. Frank always wished he could have a peaceful life as Pat had; he envied him greatly!

One day, Frank gave Pat a bag full of dollar bills saying, “Look my friend. I'm blessed with so much wealth yet, I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Pat was overwhelmed, he was joyful throughout the day, then night came, and he went to bed as usual but, today, he went around shutting doors and windows, yet he still couldn't sleep. He kept looking at the bag of cash the whole night, thinking many thoughts - he was disturbed. His life as he knew it had disappeared all of a sudden.