IN YOUR CORNER - Achieving financial success means different things to different people. To me, it means getting out of debt and setting aside a nest egg for our retirement. It also means providing for my children's college education, cars for them and also leaving something for them to enjoy when I die.
You need to define what it means to you. In order to do that, there are a few basic principles that have to be thought through and dealt with before you can finally move down the road to financial freedom and ultimately the definition of financial success you arrive at for you and your family.
The principles that I use are those that my friend, Ron Blue developed for folks like you and me. I'm sure he would not mind if I discussed them here with you. Ron is the managing partner for Ron Blue and Company, an Atlanta based firm with clients throughout the United States. He has written several books, produced videos and has been published in various Christian publications.
The first principle is God owns it all. There is a great deal of freedom and peace of mind in knowing and believing that God owns it all, and that money is just a resource to allow us to accomplish His purposes on earth. We're only "stewards" of what we have been given. The old saying, "You can't take it with you" takes on a new meaning when we view it in the context of being stewards of our assets.
The second principle is money is never an end in itself, but is merely a resource used to accomplish other goals and obligations. It is not wrong to have a long-term goal of financial independence as long as we remember who got us there. Nothing would be possible without the grace of God. The real struggle for me is, when do I achieve financial independence? In other words, how much is enough?
This brings us to the third and last basic principle. Spend less than you earn and do it for a long time, and you will be financially successful. Acquiring money and assets little by little is more beneficial than trying to win the ten million dollar magazine sweepstakes or the lottery. I'll bet you'll even get financially independent faster by doing it the Proverbs 13:11 way-"He who gathers money little by little, makes it grow."
So, as we move into this new year, make it your resolution to put a plan together to become financially independent. It's the right thing to do!!
Have a great 2002!
Monday
August 4th, 2025
7:59AM
