Everything feels upside-down these days – especially my finances. There have been huge drops in some places on my budget and increases in other areas. Purchases have become a mechanical “want – click – buy” trio of actions.
Joy in your finances.
Of the 38 parables Jesus preached, 16 of them dealt with money and possessions. I’m reminded of his words from Luke, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This shows us our relationship with money says a lot about the intentions of our heart.
My usual relationship with money would equate to being incarcerated. A joyful relationship with would equate more to a budding romance. I want this type of relationship and so I created a means of finding it for myself and made the map so others can follow along.
Like in a normal relationship you need to build trust. This would incorporate sharing our true feelings, facing realities, speaking about them, getting perspective, showing love and so much more. The process below is what I have done to plant the seeds for a joy-filled relationship with money.
- Get the numbers
Joy may be an ethereal concept but numbers are not. Numbers are black and white and true. This is not my usual happy place. I’m the type of person that bakes with a recipe as a list of suggestions. If we’re going to bring joy to the numbers then we have to bring them along for the journey. This can mean printing your budget or cash flow.
A cash flow is a powerful tool because it incorporates your income and gives a long term adjusted view. If this isn’t available to you perhaps start with a total on a piece of paper of your monthly fixed income that needs to be distributed or invested.
- Create the space
If your normal space of updating your budget is on the computer in your office consider something different. If you could take your numbers on a date where would you go? We may have limitations given our current circumstances but we can think creatively. Maybe a picnic under the oak trees.
Space also means time. My goal each month has been to spend as little time with my finances as possible. I visit the numbers in jail and get out of there as quick as I’ve arrived. It’s more like pulling off the Band-Aid rather than wining and dining.
When I took my finances out on a date this month we sat by the river. As I got to a place of stillness I suddenly heard two birds singing the most beautiful song to each other. This instantly brought joy to my heart. I wouldn’t have heard this if I was in my office with my excel spreadsheet open. My son was in and out of sleep but when he was awake I shared the joy with him and prayed aloud with his little hands in mine.
- Notice the initial thoughts or feelings
As you being, what are the first feelings that come to mind? Listen to your gut – it has some important things to tell you. My gut reaction was fear and an instant reaction to look how I could minimize my budgeted numbers.
I suppose that is similar to so many CEO’s right now looking at their projected financials. As I continued I felt questions of trust come up. Maybe it’s a time to face those issues or maybe it’s good to just note them and deal with them a bit later.
When I first looked at my income I realised I hadn’t added the amounts and I was looking at zeros. This evoked a strong thought of, “am I ready to receive?” I wonder if my heart is truly ready or will I just continue to mechanically distribute what God blesses me with?
I also noticed that looking at the numbers in this way meant I was looking at my life, my family’s life. This cash flow tells a story and so I had the option of asking questions of the story like, “Does this show the life of someone who is joy-filled?”
- Physically engage
Just staring at those numbers under a tree isn’t going to do much so the next step is to do those activities that bring you into a closer relationship with God. It can start by praying a specific prayer or opening up the word for wisdom and inspiration.
Maybe there is a song that fits what you’re feeling. “No Longer a Slave” was what I needed during this month’s money date. Perhaps you are an avid journal writer and you unlock thoughts and ideas while writing. Maybe watercolor is your mode of engaging with the creativity God has given you. Whatever this looks like it is unique to you.
- Insert the joy
At some point it’s very important to ramp up the actions that evoke joy. Speak grace over yourself and let go of a chain that might be holding you back. See where you are on a spectrum of generosity. List those things that you are grateful for. Even if your fixed income is currently ⅕ of what you were making a few weeks ago, speak gratitude.
This was harder for me than I would like to admit. I like to think I am a grateful person but something about looking at the cold numbers held back the waves of gratitude at first.
It helped to ask, “What would bring me the most joy?” The question was both for that specific moment and also for how I was using the money I was entrusted with. How can it bring joy? Little things came up like making a simple Shutterfly book for my son that reflects my hopes and dreams for him.
Just like all our relationships, whatever we feed our finances will be reflected. If we feed resentment then that will be the outcome. If we feed love, creativity and possibility then we will get something dramatically different in return.
- Ask God
Invite God to pour out the wisdom on you. Ask to know His will. Ask to disclose the true desires of your heart. Whatever it is that is weighing on you, bring it to him and ask what to do. Allow any emotions to surface but don’t end before you get to the joy. Have faith that this is possible.
- Acknowledge
Whatever has materialized for you needs to be documented. How quickly we can go through a time of great awareness and forget it as soon as we walk into the next room.
Whether it’s an insight into how to spend your stimulus check or determining how much to give to your local parish or non-profit helping the poor – write it down, make a voice recording, write a note with a date stamp in the margin of your Bible, send yourself an email or whatever has the greatest impact for you.
Talk with you soon,
