How God Finally Changed My Money Mindset
Money is one of those taboo subjects that people don’t like to talk about. It brings with it a long string of unwritten and unspoken social laws that one dares not break.
We don’t ask someone how much they earn, for example (even though we’re often dying to know). We would never ask someone how much their house cost, or how much they paid for the new dress they’re wearing. And even though I assume there are people, like me, who wouldn’t mind divulging all of the above sums voluntarily, it is understood that most would not be willing to share this sensitive information.
Every person has their own unique way of looking at and dealing with the issue of money. Our worldview on the subject is based on the education we received, how money was used or misused in our family, and on experiences that we have had with it.
I have struggled with a mindset of ‘I can never make any money’ for as long as I can remember. My parents never seemed to have any money, and when my mother set up a business called ‘Programme to Success’, which ironically failed, all hopes of our family ever ‘making it’ were destroyed. Ultimately the financial ruin of this venture was one of the main factors that led to my parents’ divorce.
So, no. Money never made it into my memory as a positive item, and the making money was for others – not me.
But God…!
How God Finally Changed My Money Mindset
As someone who has come to know the Lord, God has been slowly but surely working on and healing this area of my life. And while I still tread these waters with fear and trepidation, I know that He has been leading me to step out in faith and courage over and over again in this area. And each time I do, and my efforts lead to a little income, my confidence grows, and my gratitude widens for His faithfulness to me.
I recently heard a podcast where a guy was talking about why we shouldn’t be embarrassed to charge people for our products. What he said had a huge impact on me.
He explained that he had been to Kenya, and saw great need there. In particular, he spoke to the principal of a school who was grieving over the fact that they could not afford to pay an extra teacher to teach the growing number of children in their village. This man asked the principal, “What would the monthly cost be to pay a teacher to work full time?” To which he received the answer of “$100.”
He thought to himself, “If I sell just one extra package of my product each month, I could provide a teacher for 40 or 50 pupils in this village!”
And for the first time he realized, as I did when listening to him, that it is O.K. to make money in order to be used by God to provide where there are needs. Tweet that.
Wow! All of a sudden making money didn’t seem so selfish and greedy anymore!
A Daring Prayer
As God continued to work in my life in this area, I came across a free book by K.P. Yohannan who leads the Gospel for Asia Ministry, titled, “No Longer A Slumdog: Bringing Hope to Children in Crisis”. I literally could not put this book down as story after story of the poorest children on earth were told, and how this precious ministry pulled them out of slums to feed, clothe and educate these children, while leading them to the Lord!
It was after I read this book that I put it down, and for the first time in my life prayed, “Father, please allow me to make some money, so that I can financially sponsor Asian children, giving them a chance to live and hear of your Word and Son!”
Within the following month, I made more than I had ever made before through my blog ($120). Coincidence? I think not!
And here is Simranjot, the little Indian girl that I have as a result adopted into my heart and prayers, while sending my support (with your help):
The Money Making Mom Book
The third part of this journey has been coming across an absolutely wonderful book by Crystal Paine, Money Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make A Difference
Amazingly, this book coincides exactly with what I have been learning as the first half of it is about using your God given talents and skills to earn money, while the second half is about how to make a difference for the Lord’s Kingdom with that money. I highly recommend it. It’s honest, no get-rich-quick schemes to sift through, and will within the first 3 chapters already challenge you in your money mindset – explaining how can actually earn. This book can really make a difference in your life!
Money doesn’t have to be so scary to make. It is possible, and it is a blessing!
You may view Crystal’s interview on the 700 Club this week here:
What have your struggles with money been, and how are you/have you overcome them?
