Money and Me

Everyone has their own personal view on money.  Like Stephon W. Gibson said in his article Attitude on Money we all have filters from our experiences that shape the way we view money.  I will always remember meeting a couple that was relatively poor, and had been for a long time.  They wouldn't dream of setting foot in a nice department store because they knew they couldn't afford to shop there.  Unfortunately their home looked worn down and their clothes never really fit right.  I tried a couple of times to tell them that if you were careful and watched the deals, you could find clearance, sale or coupon deals that made the department stores less expensive than the local thrift stores.  But they wouldn't hear of it.  Their filters kept them from a better lifestyle.  This experience shaped how I saw money.  I was determined to make the best of my income.  Over the years I have had to learn how to alter clothes because the clearance clothes were too big, or a grown up shirt that didn't fit anymore could be made into a child's shirt.  I could sew my own curtains with donated fabric.  I had to work for it, but I have always felt secure in the appearance of our home even during our most lean times.  I also view money as something that you need along the way, but it isn't my driving force.  I would like to stay in my home even though many of my friends have upgraded to better neighborhoods.  I do this so that my income can remain free to travel with my family and give to my neighbors.  Because the status of having money is not important to me it allows me to be happy and content with what I have a live a better, fuller life. 

There are a few rules to prospering.  The first one is to always seek the Kingdom of God first and obey His commandments.  With this as your foundation, it is easier to prosper in other areas because you have the help of God on your side.  You also need to surround yourself with people who will lift you up and encourage you, most importantly a spouse.  I have been lucky here as my husband is extremely supportive.  Another important rule to prosper is think and learn about money.  I am grateful for the opportunity I have to go back to school and learn more about money so that I can help my family more.  Another major rule for me is to  give to others.  Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, help in anyway that we can and on a regular basis.  I know these rules are important and have a testimony that they are true.