I have this Daily Walk Bible. It’s organized so you can read the whole thing in a year. Back in 2008, I opened the book to a random page and landed on the passages assigned to April 1st. Normally a day of torment and endless unfunny jokes aimed in my direction, April 1st took on a different meaning in an instant.
What if I put myself first?
That night, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Solomon replied, “You were wonderfully kind to my father, David… And you have continued this great kindness to him today…O LORD my God, now you have made me king…but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am among your own chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?”
The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s reply… So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself or the death of your enemies–I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding mind such as no one else has ever had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for–riches and honor!”
Not to get overly scriptural, but in Proverbs 3:15, wisdom is said to be more precious than rubies. It’s incomparable in value. She offers you life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
When it comes to life, we often ask for specific outcomes from our investments. We demand a financial investment to yield a certain percentage in a year. Or perhaps we’re hoping and praying for a winning lottery ticket. Maybe you know someone cynical who’s hoping for an inheritance that wipes away all their money woes.
What would happen if…
What would happen if we asked for an understanding mind to discern a good investment from a poor one? What would we notice if we asked for eyes to see opportunities that are good fits for ourselves and our dependents?
Several dozen people walk along the same sidewalk at lunchtime. Only one person notices a stray hundred dollar bill laying in the gutter and picks it up.
The opportunity was there for anyone to take advantage of, except all but one was focused on other things.
Another key point about asking God for Opportunity-Detection Radar is best illustrated by example. A thousand acres of raw, undeveloped land is an opportunity. It might be perfect for one person who knows the potential of the land and can carry the tax burden until a developer takes on the project. The “opportunity” would be disastrous for someone else who doesn’t do soil testing or who can’t afford the taxes while the land sits on the outskirts of a dying town. Maybe the land comes with mineral rights and no minerals. Maybe it’s more desirable for riparian rights or air rights or park development. You really can’t know just at a glance.
The principle of putting April first and asking God for wisdom reminded me of the Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason. Pay yourself first because a portion of what you earn must be yours to keep.
I also pay my mind because knowledge is power. I deeply want a discerning mind when it comes to feeding my brain. There is so much data out there. It takes clarity to figure out what’s garbage, what’s raw data, what’s knowledge, and what’s wise to actually act on. The simple distinguishing factor between knowledge and wisdom is this:
Knowledge is knowing good and bad.
Wisdom is knowing good from bad.
It’s wise to set 10% aside for the savings reservoir. It takes courage to do it the first time. It takes trust in the process to keep doing it.
It’s wise to pay 20% of your income toward the credit card bills until the balance is zero.
It takes wisdom, resourcefulness, and creativity to live comfortably on the remaining 70% of each paycheck.
It also takes grace when we slip up. The main problem of falling off a wagon isn’t the fall; it’s not getting back up for the rest of the ride. It takes patience to see a thing through. It takes encouragement to take a step in a new direction, because the unknown can be scary, but it’s important to trust the process. Fortunately, most of the process is simple arithmetic. Easy to trust.
Advice that you might not be expecting
These things - grace, patience, encouragement, and trust - also take quiet space devoted to the ask. Maybe it’s yoga, a warm soak, meditation, hand washing dishes before the family wakes up, or a peaceful walk in nature.
Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s biggest hedge fund, Bridgewater Capital, credits daily meditation practice for the majority of his financial success. That’s no small thing.
Your Mission:
So today in this special “April’s No Fool” edition of Joyful Rising Money IQ, I ask you to challenge yourself by looking in the mirror and asking: What’s my ask?
Don’t rush or force the answer. You’re asking something deep, profound, and personal. Scripture also says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Take that to heart. Be still and wait for the gentle voice of the Lord to answer you. It may not come in a voice. It may come in the form of the opportunity and your eyes simply open to the possibilities.
Is your ask for discernment, or discipline, or courage, or self-confidence? Maybe it’s something else of equal importance to you. But go ahead. God is the source of all virtue, so it makes sense to ask the source. Ask.
To rising joyfully,
April
Disclosures & Disclaimers
I am not a licensed financial advisor, attorney, accountant, or credit counselor. The content provided in Joyful Rising Money IQ is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice.
The information presented is based on my personal experience and research and may not be suitable for your specific situation. You should consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions or changes to your strategy.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.
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