My wife and I have been discussing the kind of mindset we have regarding money just shortly after our dinner.
And through our discussion, I’ve been reminded again of what kind of mindset I have, a mindset that I actually acquired since childhood.
Pastor Chinkee Tan, who is a professional lifestyle trainer also, recently spoke at Victory U-Belt on the topic of For Richer and For Poorer, which by the way is the title of his newly launched book as well.
He explained that each person has his own “money mindset”. It’s a mindset formed through the years based on influences we get from the people around us.
On my end, I grew up in a Chinese family where I have to earn something by working hard.
I was sharing to my wife that as early as 13 years old, I began working as a messenger (this was during summer) for a Chinese businessman, who by the way was a close friend of my parents.
I felt it was during my teenage years that my own money mindset began to form.
I brought that money mindset along from then on, working each year during summer because mama used to tell me that I don’t get anything in life for free.
I was also telling my wife after our dinner time that all of us five siblings never really experienced getting “baon” (allowance) from our parents when we were in school. Instead, the only “baon” we had was the food we bring to school (whether for lunch or for recess).
Now, here are some realizations—actually, it’s important to work hard and work smart to get the gadget we want or to purchase our dream house.
But we simply can’t eliminate this truth—that God is a Father, who would willingly and lovingly provide things for our enjoyment, too!
The Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 6:17-18 –17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.(Emphasis is mine) 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Working hard because you’re putting your entire hope on wealth alone can bring you trouble in the end, because as verse 17 says, wealth is uncertain.
But if you know you have a relationship with God, you don’t have to work for the things you need and want to enjoy .
Instead, by having the proper understanding that since God is your Father you can come to Him freely and confidently without the performance-oriented mindset.
What’s your money mindset? Is it in line with what the Bible says? If not, dig through God’s word now and begin aligning your mindset to the Bible.