MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
May 29, 2006

YOUR FINANCES: FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE
By: Austin Pryor

Perhaps you have heard the tale of three bricklayers working on a major project. When asked what they were making, the first said, "$18 an hour." The next replied, "We're making a wall to help support the roof." But the third said, "We're building a cathedral for worshipping God!" They were all engaged in the same task, but only one of them caught the bigger vision.

A new version of this story could feature investors contacting their brokers to explore recommendations for their financial strategy. A spouse, or one of their children, comes along and asks what they're doing. One says, "Oh, just placing some mutual fund orders." Another replies, "I'm investing for our future." But the third responds, "I'm managing God's money for His glory."

Do you have a big vision for stewardship – how you manage your financial resources? Or do you think of it merely as paying the bills, putting some money into an investment account, and giving a little to support charitable causes? If your money management routine seems humdrum, you have lost sight of the big picture. Your financial decisions have the potential for life-changing blessings and eternal impact – for you, your loved ones, and those who benefit through your giving. Make sound decisions and, like the faithful stewards in the parable of the talents, your efforts will bring a smile to the Master. Make indifferent or undisciplined decisions and one day you will discover that you have wasted a lifetime of opportunities.

Here is a starter list, for instance, of common failures among young families: Failure to develop a spending plan that assures they end up with a monthly surplus rather than spending more than they earn. Failure to assign high priority to giving generously to God’s kingdom work. Failure to be responsible in the use of credit. Failure to drive a car or live in a home within your financial means. Failure to start and maintain a contingency fund. Failure to contribute strategically to a retirement account. Failure to learn basic principles for investing wisely.

None of these tasks is particularly difficult, but they all require self-discipline, effort and a degree of sacrifice. But the end result is worth it. Not only because we will enjoy greater success in money matters, but more importantly, living up to our potential brings glory to God, the ultimate giver of all our resources. In his book, Pierced by the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul, John Piper writes:

"God made us with the highest creaturely purpose in mind – to enjoy and display the Creator's glory. This is why we were made (‘All things were created through Him and for Him’ – Colossians 1:16). This is why we eat and drink (‘So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God’ – 1 Corinthians 10:31). This is why we pray (‘Whatever you ask the Father in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son’ – John 14:13). This is why we do all good deeds (‘Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven’ – Matthew 5:16).”

Piper adds, "That is why we exist – to display the glory of God.... When we fulfill this reason for being, we have substance. There is weight and significance in our existence. Knowing, enjoying, and thus displaying the glory of God is a sharing in the glory of God. Not that we become God. But something of His greatness and beauty is on us as we realize this purpose for our being—to image-forth His excellence. This is our substance.

"Not to fulfill this purpose for human existence is to be a mere shadow of the substance we were created to have. Not to display God's worth by enjoying Him above all things is to be a mere echo of the music we were created to make.”

Austin Pryor is publisher of Sound Mind Investing, America's best-selling financial newsletter written from a biblical perspective. He has written the book, Sound Mind Investing. Read his investment advice at www.soundmindinvesting.com.

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Reflection/Discussion Questions


1. In your approach to managing your finances – whether personally or in your business – do you typically focus on the most immediate, pressing needs, or do you try to maintain a “big picture” perspective as Austin Pryor recommends?


2. What is one financial goal you could establish that would enhance your pursuit of broader, long-term financial objectives? What are some of the obstacles that could hinder you from working toward this goal?


3. Mr. Pryor lists common failures among young families. Which of these – if any – have you experienced personally?

Does this remain a problem in your financial stewardship, or have you been able to correct it – at least to some degree? Explain your answer.


4. Do you agree with the comments from John Piper in the excerpt from his book? Why or why not?


NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about these ideas of financial stewardship and dependence on God, consider the following passages:

Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:6-12; Matthew 6:19-21, 25:14-30; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7




你的財務：專注於大視野

可能你已聽過這故事：有三個人在一個大工地砌磚。當別人問他們在作什麼，第一位工人說：「為了每小時18塊美金而工作。」第二位工人回答：「我們在築一道牆來支撐屋頂。」第三位工人說：「我們在建造一座大教堂來敬拜神！」他們作的是相同的工作，但只有一人看到較大的異象。

這故事的新版本可以是投資人請經紀人建議投資的策略。投資人的配偶或子女從旁邊經過，就問他們在作什麼。一位投資人說：「只是在買一些共同基金。」另一位投資人說：「我在為我們的將來而投資。」但第三位說：「我在管理神的錢，來榮耀祂的名！」

你對於管家的職份有沒有更大的異象－－你如何管理你的財務資源？或者你認為只是付帳單，把一些錢放進投資帳戶，把少數錢拿去資助慈善機構？若你的金錢管理似乎乏善可陳，你可能還沒看到異象。你的財務決定可能帶來改變生命的祝福和永恆的影響力－－不論是對你、你所愛的人或那些受惠於你施予的人。所以要作出健全的財務決定，就像聖經中有關才能的比喻，做忠心的管家，你的努力會使主人欣慰。若你的財務決定都是隨便作出來的，有一天你會發現你浪費了一生的機會。

這裡有一個初學者的清單，例如，年輕夫婦的普遍缺失：沒有設定支出計畫，以確保每個月有盈餘，而不是入不敷出。沒有將給神國度的奉獻擺在第一順位。沒有負責任地使用信用額度。所開的車子和所住的房子不在自己財務能力範圍內。沒有留一筆急用金。沒有存退休金。沒有智慧地學習基本的投資原則。

以上這些事都不是很困難，但都需要自律、努力和某種程度的犧牲。但最後的結果是值得的。不只因我們在金錢的事上能享受更大的成就，更重要的是，活出我們的潛能可以榮耀神（我們資源的賜予者）。作家約翰‧派普在他「被神話語刺透：為你靈魂的31個默想」一書中寫道：

「神是想要造出最高等生物的目的來創造我們－－去享受並表現造物主的榮耀。這是我們被造的目的（萬有都是藉著祂造的，又是為祂造的－－歌羅西書1章16節）。這是我們吃喝的目的（所以你們或吃或喝，無論作什麼，都要為榮耀神而行－－哥林多前書10章31節）。這是我們禱告的目的（你們奉我的名，無論求什麼，我必成就，叫父因兒子得榮耀－－約翰福音14章13節）。這是我們行善的目的（你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父－－馬太福音5章16節）。」

「這是我們存在的目的－－表現神的榮耀…當我們實現了這個存在的理由，我們就得到生命的本質。我們的存在就有份量和重要性。認識、享受並彰顯神的榮耀是分享神的榮耀，並非我們成為神。當我們了解我們存在的目的，神的偉大與榮美就在我們身上－－反映出神的卓越。這是我們生命的本質。」

「人若沒有實現這存在的目的，我們被造的本質就只是影子。若沒有將神放在萬物之上，去彰顯神的價值，我們的被造就只是音樂的回音。」


思想 / 討論題目
1. 在你處理財務時－－不論是為個人或公司－－你是否定焦於最即時、最迫切的需要，或者你試著維持本文作者所建議的「大視野」觀點？


2. 你可設定那一項財務目標，來加強你追求更寬廣、更長遠的財務目的？ 為達此目標，你可能會碰到什麼障礙？


3. 作者列出年輕夫婦的普遍缺失。你個人是否曾經歷其中任何一項缺失？

這項缺失現在還是你財務管理上的問題嗎？ 或你已改正了－－至少某種程度的改善？ 請解釋。


4. 你是否同意約翰‧派普的觀點？ 為什麼？


註：若你有聖經且想要看有關財務管家與倚靠神的其他經文，請看：
箴言3章9-10節；瑪拉基書3章6-12節；馬太福音6章19-21節，25章14-30節；哥林多後書9章6-7節


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