Letters #013: Shifts in my Financial Perspective

We discussed the concept of financial increase in my church as the theme for the month of March and I thought to share some changes that have happened to me as a way to help others. Over the years, I have grown personally in my thoughts about money/finances and how I manage it. I will describe my journey in a couple of headings below. 

A perspective shift on spending. 

This has perhaps been where the most shift has happened for me. I’m naturally not a big spender, I struggle with spending money. I have to be able to convince myself just how important something is before I spend money on it. On the surface, that seems like a great habit, after all, one should be financially prudent and not a spendthrift. But here’s the catch, sometimes our prudence is based on fear which in itself is a form of greed and idolatry. Fear of losing everything or fear of never having enough and so we desperately hold on to whatever we have justifying why we don’t spend and maybe even cut corners. This is where I had to make changes. Yes, I was being prudent but underneath it was the fear of waking up to nothing one day or being in that position of lack. Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods, -I highly recommend that you read the book-, wrote:

According to the bible, idolaters do three things with their idols. They love them, trust them, and obey them. “Lovers of money” are those who find themselves daydreaming and fantasising about new ways to make money, new possessions to buy, and looking with jealousy on those who have more than they do. “Trusters of money” feel they have control of their lives and are safe and secure because of their wealth.

This is not to say making money or spending carefully is bad but to get us to constantly check the driving force behind our actions.

One way this fear showed up was in buying books. I know in Nigeria it seems very natural to download books on the internet for free (read as pirate books) but you might want to check what mindset is driving that. Except an author has given out a book for free, you shouldn’t be downloading it for free, that’s literally akin to stealing from the person. So part of the work the Holy Spirit did in me was to really bring that to my reality, to get me to that point where I was comfortable spending on books. Where my fears were not louder than what is true and right. I won’t go broke simply because I bought a book. No book is too expensive, especially if I consider it valuable to me.

Another way was in my journey to get a house and furnish it. I remember praying to God and saying “Help me find a house that’s cheap”. The testimony I wanted was for me to say I got a good deal. I didn’t want to spend so much on it. I was afraid of not being able to afford the rent the next year, I had several irrational fears. But God had different plans. I remember speaking with my sister about it then and she said to me, “Maybe what God wants to do is increase your capacity to afford the seemingly more expensive options”. That flipped everything for me. More often than not, I think that’s usually what God pushes me towards. That point of asking that my capacity be enlarged so I don’t get stuck playing small or living in an illusion of security that’s founded on what I have and not on Him.

A perspective shift on giving.

Giving was another major perspective shift for me. My first episode with God on reaching an understanding of giving was during my service year (NYSC). I remember saying to Him then, I want to understand this giving thing, you and me, what exactly is it about, how should it work? It was an experience. I’ve had several episodes since then of God teaching me ways to give. I actually love to give and find it easy to do most of the time (there are times when I am a grudging giver too).

These are some of the things I have learned:

• Plan your giving. I have a dedicated amount monthly for giving. Sometimes it’s for my church, a friend, my family, a church member, or a mix of everything. I set aside a portion of my income for it so I don’t feel pressured. I also remind myself that my inability to give money today doesn’t mean I will never be able to.

• Giving is beyond money. This was a major one for me. My financial status is a lot better now than it used to be some years ago. At that time, when I’d see people give financially I felt useless in a sense, I longed for the days when I could give financially too. Over time though, I have learned that I could give my time and knowledge, there’s so much more to give and contribute to the world around you, it’s not just money. Get creative.

• You don’t have to give instantly. I have had two seasons where God asked me to set aside a portion of my income on an ongoing basis. One such season was time bound, I was to start at Period A and end at Period B then drop the funds for the purpose it was built for. Another one is not time bound, I have been setting it aside for years, I have an inkling of what the funds will be used for but I don’t know the whole picture. I just know that I have to set aside an amount every month and I have been doing that. I share this to say if there’s something or someone you want to give to, don’t feel pressured or limited to doing it right away. There are times when it has to be done quickly but there are also times when you can build towards it. Don’t push yourself into debt or sorrow because you want to give and don’t run from giving because you are currently unable to give as much as you want to. You can absolutely work towards it.

Ultimately, I will summarise my financial perspective shifts into this, “God gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater”. In other words, God satisfies our needs for today and works with us to build for tomorrow so I don’t need to fear lack and focus on gathering and holding on to things like my life depends on them. There’s a need to sow and there’s a need to eat. One doesn’t negate the other and God is fully capable of helping us with both. Spend the money, give, save, and invest. Whatever it is, do it unto the Lord and remember that God is able to provide for you.

❤️ Yami

P.S. If you’d like me to share more of my shifts or you have specific questions on managing your finances, do share. I may just write about them. Don’t forget to like and share this with others.