You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.
Dave Ramsey
My name is Linda and I am a recovering “Wanter of More”.
Yes…you heard me right. More energy to enjoy the sun. More rest in my cushiony bed. More hugs from family and friends. More cocktails with my girls. More great food. More money to give and travel. More time to read. More shoes…ok maybe not more shoes. You get the point. I want more of the good stuff and I am willing to work “more harder” to get it (please excuse my vernacular).
The challenges associated with my infatuation for wanting more is two-fold. First, while I am spending all this extra effort to attain more, I miss out in enjoying what I have right now. Secondly, with more of anything there is greater responsibility in managing it. The Right Reverend Pastor Notorious B.I.G. said it best in one of his sermons, “More Money, More Problems”. “It’s like the more money we come across. The more problems we see.” He couldn’t be more accurate of this truth. And it is in this outlook related to money, I wish to lend a hand in providing some insight to what I have learned and perhaps advise you on seeking balance in this area in your life.
One of the things I inherited from my parents was their love for travel. Back in the day, as a family, we would take road trips to upstate New York and the surrounding states. And regularly, we would drive over to John F. Kennedy International Airport to see the planes take off and land and watch people dressed in their Sunday best heading to gate. On those occasions when we got on the plane, I stared at the clouds outside the windows until I fell asleep and awoke in a brand-new place. I carried this passion into my 20’s visiting beautiful Caribbean islands, drives up the coast, and cross-country Amtrak passages. Let’s just say, I have made the most of my passport.
In those earlier years of my life, traveling alone or with friends satisfied my adventurous spirit and my curiosity for what the world could offer me. Decades later, traveling has become an item which I have put way on the bottom of the “pay it no mind” list. Quickly, I will admit it is because of money. Those flights have become increasingly more expensive to travel; whether domestic or international. The joy of taking a plane, train or automobile has been supplanted with all types of excuses associated with time and money.
You’ve heard of King Solomon? He was the wealthiest king in all of history. According to the Scriptures he had gold, jewels, land, cattle, etc. amounting, by today’s economics, billions of dollars. He was not only wealthy but wise. Nevertheless, despite Solomon’s wealth, his wisdom concerning riches was far greater than all the money in the world. His service unto his kingdom and its people was far more fulfilling.
4Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
5In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.
Proverbs 23: 4-5 NLT
In a time where so many of us (like me) are asking God to provide what we need; it’s comforting to see examples in Scripture where God clearly blesses people over and above what they need. God had a plan for Solomon. That plan involved kingship and great wealth. God used that king to share godly wisdom that says, “You may think you want more money than you know what to do with, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a sure-fire answer to all of your problems… because it’s not.”
I know people who live in modern-day palaces yet sacrificed their families in the process of obtaining those luxury items. I also encountered malnourished homeless people with more peace and joy than you and I may ever have. More money may seem like the answer to your problems today, but it isn’t. After all, if you had more money, you’d only have a different set of issues to deal with.
I’m not going to be that girl who didn’t pursue her dreams because she didn’t have money.
ME
Dave Ramsey, one of my favorite financial writers, believes too often people make decisions based on the amount of money they have and therefore allows it to control their moving forward in life. This seems to be case for people who have been great stewards of their money and those without it. Sometimes I become overly burdened by who, what, where, when, why, and how I should spend the money I have stewarded and worked so hard to attain. Once again, I allow fear to control my decision making as it relates to enjoying the fruits of my labor. In fact, I have held off on planning for a two-week cruise because I was overly cautious that something may happen where those dollars would be needed elsewhere. If I were completely honest, I have held off on quite a few opportunities because I was overly concerned my family or friends or some unexpected need would arise where my financial assistance would be needed. The truth is, there always will be something that needs your attention or financial support. But where in the Bible does it say, “Seek you first and your money, time, talent, and righteous and all these things will be added to them”? It does not. The Scripture entreats us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” My problem was I set myself up as the Provider and Supplier and did not empower others to seek the true Source of and for all their needs. I made it very easy to provide financial assistance at the moment I heard they needed it. I was hurting them and I was denying myself the chances to enjoy the gifts God provides me daily.
I am certain you have heard this all before, but it bears reminding. Here are few those reminders:
- Release the fear and anxiety you have attached to money. Easier said than done but extremely necessary. Money is a tool and not your idol! Not your’s and not their’s.
- If debt is the issue, take the baby steps needed to pay off debt and live within your means.
- Create a budget that will help guide your spending.
- If you must save money to do something, start saving now. Quit asking family and friends to borrow money which will only put you further in debt.
- Look for a second job or barter for the extras you want.
- More importantly take stock of what you have right now. Take inventory of extra things – clothes, handbags, shoes, appliances, furniture, etc. you can possibly sell on Amazon or eBay.
- Perhaps there is a skill you can monetize to help bring additional dollars into your household. Again, this is not money to spend but to set aside for debt consolidation, travel or investment in your home, education, or business/career.
On the other hand, enjoy what you have right now. Spending an unbalanced amount of time pursuing or desiring more is a slap in the face for what you have right now. Take stock of the simple pleasures; even if it includes traveling or shopping. Walk around your home and start thanking God for what you have right now. If you have the dollars to spend on a trip, take it. Don’t think you’re magically going to have more money to do something even more special in a few years.
When you have more money, you’re going to spend more money on everyday things and as you get older, you’re going to have more things to spend money on. Unless you win the lottery or sell your start-up, you’re not going to suddenly come into a lot of money. Do what you want to do when you want to do it. I know of couples who have worked 30-40 years of their lives, saving for the trip of their dreams and they never end up taking it because they are either too feeble or something got in the way of them enjoying the time together.
Wisely consider the pros and cons before you make any financial decision. As a recovering “Wanter of More”, I cannot find peace and balance on my own. I must seek He who is greater than I to guide me. In Matthew 19 verse 26, “With God, all things are possible.” Daily, I affirm God’s ownership over all in my possession and sovereignty over my life. God can give it and this same God can take it all away. In the meantime, I must remain humble and honor Him. The best way – is to not allow wanting more stop me from enjoying the here and now of which God has provided me.
…now what, Linda.
now what, Linda? 