Do Not Worry About Money

Inspired by Matthew 6:24-25,32-33: God and Possessions

Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money. This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these things."

What is the prerequisite to having all these things.... food, drink, clothing and such possession? Answer: Concern beyond these things. Concern with the Kingdom of God and what He requires of you. Have you ever asked yourself, what does God require of me? Why did God create me? What did He mean for me to do on earth? What is my role in the Greater Scheme of Things? If we are able to discover that and do that.... that is the source of abundance... of having all these things and so much more.

Study the life of rich men who are honest and see how they became rich. It is by doing what God required them to do that they have achieved such greatness. Not everyone is called to be preachers or priests. We have our places to fill in God's majestic masterpiece. He made painters to make beautiful murals. He made healers to alleviate sufferings. He made musicians to uplift sad souls. He made everyone with innate talents designed to glorify Him with the honest performance of such talents for His greater glory.

If you are doing what you are doing simply because you are worried about what tomorrow may bring not because it is what you think God is requiring you to do for His Kingdom, you should start asking God for His real designs for you. This requires real discernment, proper guidance and a lot of prayer. You just do not abandon ship and pursue hedonistic goals. Remember, God is the real Master you serve with whatever task it is that He has assigned you to do which may look menial to others but which causes so much fulfillment in you.

The Real Financial Planner MD

I have created this blog to teach others what I have learned about financial planning. What I soon realized is that Jesus is the real teacher and the Gospel contains the basic tenets of financial planning. With this realization, I have resolved that starting this year, I shall devote this blog to financial planning the scriptural way. It shall still have the same title but now hold a more significant meaning and content.

What made me stumble upon this realization was the gospel reading of January 4, 2009 commemorating the Epiphany or Three Kings. I asked Jesus this question after reading the gospel during my morning prayer:

'You were offered gold, frankincense and myrrh so I concluded that your family must have gotten rich from such precious gifts. However, when the time of your presentation to the temple occured, Mother Mary and St. Joseph was only able to offer two doves or two pigeons indicating that your family cannot afford to offer a lamb. What happened to your wealth?'

I was surprised that the Lord took effort to answer this question that was left unanswered through the priest who gave the homily on the Sunday mass that we attended. "The gold, frankincense and myrrh were meant to provide for the Holy Family when they fled Bethlehem and went to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. It was also used to finance their trip to Nazareth upon Herod's death."

'So contrary to what authors would believe, Your family is not really wealthy,' I told the Lord.

And He answered: "Real wealth is wealth that suffices the needs of the body, mind and soul. Mere financial freedom is not real wealth unless you live a truly meaningful and fulfilling life... a life that answered to the call from within. Wealth comes freely and easily as I need it. I can summon the fish to open its mouth and provide me with coins. I can fill the net with an abundant catch. Wealth in the material sense is subject to me. But it is not what I have come for. I have a higher call. (So do you). These are mere instruments under my disposal. But I do not need to possess these. My detachment is my real freedom. I can freely come and go. I am focused. I know why I am on earth. Doing my Father's will is my fulfillment. My life is offered for all so that all may be saved. I have come so you may have life and have it to the full... have it abundantly. Come and follow me. Inspire others to follow me so they may also experience the fullness of life."