I have worked in the world of Finance and Investing for almost 20 years. I have seen wealth gained and wealth lost, fortunes won, and empires crumble. The one clear truth is that there is nothing certain in the world of finance and economics. Our worldly success is largely due to timing, effort, and a whole lot of luck. However, regardless of any outcome, the one thing that holds true to every investor, entrepreneur, or businessman is that they must have H.E.A.R.T. to truly succeed.
First is that you need to realize that (H) He, God, owns it all. Our sovereign God, it the maker, the provider, and the owner of all we see and touch. He is the greatest money manager in the world, his portfolio if diverse, and his assets under management are unbelievable. What we must realize is that we are all here in a temporary human experience. The old saying is true, “you can’t take it with you”. A wealthy aristocrat died several years back and his only wish was to be buried with his money . . . his wife of many years, aware of his last request, tearfully wrote him a check and placed it gently next to him in the coffin. Funny stuff I know, but realize today that the material possessions we have in this world are not ours but God’s.
(E) Every Day is an opportunity to do something of value, to do something good, and to make a difference in God’s kingdom. We need to take the opportunities that we are blessed with and make the most of them. We are encouraged to do more than others think is wise, to risk more than others think is safe, and to believe more than others thought possible. Every day you have that opportunity.
(A) Action is required. We cannot glorify the kingdom without putting our talents into action. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. If you are not in action then you are at risk of falling into the trap of status quo. Do not let the grass grow under your feet, be active, be engaged, be alive in your financial picture, do not let yourself be directed, you do the directing. You cannot accomplish anything if you do not move. So many times we let our life’s glide by us and never get in the game. I encourage you today to take that first small step, do something for someone else that makes a difference in their life, then look in the mirror and do something for that person that will inspire others.
We have all been given certain spiritual gifts and blessings. Even in the worst of times we should have the ability to (R) remember our blessings. Remembering the good things in our lives will pull us through the rough waters of economic turmoil, personal strife, and other individual struggles. Always, always, remember your blessings. By reflecting on who we are, we will better understand our God ordained purpose in life.
(T) Thank Him. In any relationship, the other needs to be appreciated, in your relationship with God, you need to remember to say thank you. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to grow, to fail, to invest, to lose, too be a part of a world where you have opportunity to be anything you dream. Thanks Be to God.
HEART is required in when it comes to money and finance. You must have heart if you even want to have a chance at true financial success. Good luck Investor, business owner, financial planner, employee, boss, student, retiree, I am praying for your heart. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart and lean not on your own understanding”. Trust in him when it comes to your finances. God has a supreme plan for your life. Money management is just one component of living a life that is designed to Glorify His Kingdom. But by putting your heart into, taking action, leaning on him for understanding, you have a solid blueprint in which to live your life.
This is a guest post written by Doug Lawson, CEO of The Kingdom Trust Company. At Kingdom Trust they provide a self-directed investment platform in where you control your investments. www.kingdomtrustco.com
