Teaching financial literacy and preaching God’s words at the same time may not be the perfect combination for most conservative Christians. And those who don’t find it cool to hear the Word while raking in tons of moolah from their trades won’t agree as well.
Here’s a very passionate article from a very passionate writer friend of mine who has been a staunch defender of Christianity in every area and subject of society to explain to us how taking care of money and soul at the same time can be possible and a must.
(Save and grow your money while you are still an OFW!!! CLICK here!)
There have been ongoing debates whether a Christian most especially a preacher should include money matters on his top priorities. Well, not really on top of everything but giving in big chunks of time in advocating or promoting financial literacy and seemed to be less preaching on God’s words.
Ok. There really are no debates, maybe little arguments among our people and some internal confusion for some of us.
But let’s admit that many of us are confused and alienated on the idea of mixing up preaching God’s words and teaching about making money. Many would tell what the Holy Book stated that you can’t serve mammon and God at the same time. But what does that really mean?
Most of us have jobs to do. Primarily, we have to take care of the needs of our loved ones and also of our own. We need money to buy the food we need to live. And we give in a lot of time in work that we get so tired and have less time doing other things that matter. Like tend to the spiritual growth of our families and ourselves. Some even have to work on Sundays that Church time had become an option.
And on the extreme, for those below the poverty line, living in this world is tougher. They work and earn to live for a day. Hunger is common among them. And seeing your children suffer from it, there are some who become desperate and are forced to do illegal things just to spare their young ones from more pain.
If we look into these in details, there are lots of cases that poverty is caused by lack of knowledge in handling their finances. It is not that they are not earning enough but more of not knowing how to earn more from what they are getting. Unfortunately in our country, we are way behind as a people in terms of being financial literate.
Investment and preparation for future and emergency use is good to have for most Filipinos while for other countries, these things are necessities.
If only our people start to handle their finances properly, a lot of us will have spare time and money to do good to others. The time used in thinking about what their family would eat tomorrow can be used for thanksgiving prayers. There will be more extra savings that will be available for the needy. And the hours for overtime work to gain additional income can now be used for attending worship hours and Mass.
Brows will rise on the statement above since as Christians, we know that it must be God first over anything. And by putting Him on top of everything, the promise of blessings and graces is there. So how come some people seems need to become well-off first before being able to give their time to God and to share to charity?
This is where preaching God’s words come into play. Financial illiteracy is not the only problem that most of us have, but also spiritual illiteracy. And the danger of falling into temptation of greed increases by separating money matters from God matters.
Learning to earn must be taught in parallel to Christian virtues of sharing and receiving. Only through these when we can truly achieve financial freedom and good spiritual health at the same time as a nation.
Rogie Ylagan is a proud and happy husband and father. He is an Electronics Engineer working as an IT professional in one of the largest firms in the world. He is the man behind the blogs The Ignored Genius and Layman Investment.
Be inspired financially and spiritually by subscribing to BurnGutierrez.Com for FREE.
If you want me to coach you in improving your finances, type your name and email below and click the Subscribe button:
Rock your way to abundance!
#moneyliferocknroll
—
Photo credit: micagoto