managing finances for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (matthew 6:21 esv)...
TRANSCRIPT
MANAGING FINANCES
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 ESV)
Jonathan LeeChina Outreach MinistriesUniversity of MinnesotaMay 18, 2013
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Goals2
Enable you to become more informed about personal finances.
Understand personal financial issues and choices.
Learn basic skills about managing money, no matter how much money you have.
Briefly: My Story3
My Journey from Merrill Lynch to China
EVERGREEN FAMILY
FRIENDSHIP SERVICEServing Shanxi, Reflecting Christ
History
Peter and Valborg Torjesen came from Norway in 1919 to serve in China.
His school and his wife’s medical clinic came to an end in 1939 when Japanese bombers struck his church while he and hundreds of Chinese refuges were inside. His family was spared…but he died….
Shanxi Province
Three regions: Taiyuan
(1993)太
原 Yangqu
(1996)阳
曲 Yuci (2003)
榆 次
Evergreen’s Purpose To assist Shanxi and other
Chinese provinces by developing public benefit services for the common people,
continuing the good works of Peter Torjesen,
acknowledging God’s gracious calling in our lives, and
reflecting the credibility of Christ.
Medical Work and Public Health
Educational Programs Agricultural Development
Business Incubation
Orphan Care
Global Consulting
Family Services
Areas of Professional Service
Back to our topic tonight: Review of Goals9
Enable you to become more informed about personal finances.
Understand personal financial issues and choices.
Learn basic skills about managing money, no matter how much money you have.
Managing Money is Important to...10
Meet daily needs; Deal with life’s occurrences; Handle unexpected emergencies; Take advantage of opportunities when
they arrive; and Plan for the future.
Challenges to Money Management 11
Pressure on cash flow is persistent and urgent.
Planning time period is short and related to immediate needs, e.g., expenses or school fees.
Limited time to plan to save money for illness, unexpected social demands or the future.
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"My monthly income is how much?“ “How much money is left for me each
month? "My greatest financial burden is?“ “Am I prepared to deal with this
problem?“ “Do I have enough money available if……"
Personal Reflection
Concerning money, what is my greatest concern?
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My Biggest Economic Concern Is..?14
Finding a good job;Children’s education;My health;A comfortable life; and/orTaking care of elderly parents.
Money Values
People's money values and goals are different.
Different countries / cultures have different money values.
People's money, values and objectives dictate how they use money.
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Does money control you?16
Why should money not control you? Is there a way to break/gain control?What guidance does Scripture give?
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)17
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV)18
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
How then should we view money?19
Life is not a competition to see who can get the most money.
Some questions to consider…20
Then why save or care?Why do this talk?
Luke 16:10 (ESV)21
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Why I care about financial management?22
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Luke 16:11 (ESV)
Points to Consider23
Ensuring proper use of money shows we are able to manage what is given to us.
If we cannot properly view and use money, are we able to manage other responsibilities?
Other Considerations
Prepare as well as possible, (and then completely trust God.)
Even if you save half of the money, you reduce the problem.
Need balance. Money does not represent everything.
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Furthermore…
There are things in life more important than money.
Money arrangements do correspond to each person’s values, so don’t judge others.
Avoid the phenomenon of “saving more is better.” Life is not a competition to save the most money.
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Three Points26
No matter the work, continue to persevere, don’t easily give up.
A little income compared to no income is better.
A loan is a heavy burden, don’t take lightly borrowing money.
Four Basic Steps27
Give first to God (For Christians) Spend less than income Avoid debt Develop long-term goals
Giving to God (For believers) 28
This is our first financial priority. The Bible instructs us to give. Therefore, giving is a matter of
obeying God.
Spend Less Than You Earn29
Consider spending only a part of your monthly income.
If you spend within your income, you can then save money.
Avoid Borrowing Money30
Borrowing money is not the problem. Not paying it back is. Borrowing is always easier than
paying back. Interest makes repayment difficult.
Review31
When you spend less than you earn, you create savings.
If you avoid debt, you will have the disposable income to do other things, rather than pay down debt.
Review32
Here is a process that will help you generate liquidity and:
Secure your financial position Have money for a rainy day
Now what?
Develop Long-Term Goals33
Goals provide direction in life. Goals are the motivations for
our actions. If long-term goals are clear,
they will help you make better current decisions.
Develop Long-Term Goals34
Create goals early but, it is not too late to start now!
Being short sighted will adversely affect your plans.
Goals must be reasonable.
Personal Assessment35
Is my financial situation satisfactory? How much money will be left to me
each month? Can I reduce some expenses? In what ways can I save money? How much money could I save? Do I have the right priorities? Is my heart in the right place?
Discussion Questions36
What do you think about the advice in this talk? Was anything particularly helpful?
Why do you think Jesus said we should not serve money but serve God?
Do you have any other questions from this talk?
Resources37
Randy Alcorn: http://www.epm.org/resources/category/money-and-giving/
Crown Financial: http://www.crown.org/ Dallas Federal Reserve:
http://www.dallasfed.org/assets/documents/cd/wealth/wealth.pdf
Khan Academy: http://www.bettermoneyhabitscom