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."

Pathophysiology of Your Poverty

After having assessed your financial status, it is imperative that you also assess your behavior towards money. Your behavior will definitely explain why you are in your current financial status. In the medical field, it is what we call the pathophysiology or the basis of the disease. There is a cause for every effect.

If you are poor, there is a reason for such poverty.

1) You do not believe you will become rich

2) You do not like to become rich

3) You do not know how to become rich

Which one are you?

You do not believe you will become rich.

The greatest hurdle to all your dreams is your own mind. If you do not believe, then it shall be done to you according to your word. For the person who believes, all things can be overcome. For the person who do not, all things are insurmountable. For the person who believes, there is always a WAY. For the person who do not, there is always an EXCUSE. In The Millionaire Mind, majority of the millionaires who became rich did not grow rich because of inheritance nor did they get rich because they were exceptionally intelligent. These millionaires believe that top 5 success factors for their wealth are honesty, discipline, ability to get along with people, supportive spouse and hardwork. They simply had the tenacity of spirit to pursue their dreams.

You do not like to become rich.

Much as you refuse to believe that this could be possible, there are people who really do not like to become rich. For them, wealth is evil. It will lead them to the road of perdition. They believe that Jesus will not allow the rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. With this mental attitude, they refuse to think about money. It is understandable considering how greed can turn people against God and commit sins and heinous crime simply because of money. The love of money is the root of all evil... but the lack of money can also be the root of evil. In the end, it is simply a question of detachment. God sees the hearts of men. If you cannot be trusted with small things, such as money, how can you be trusted with the Kingdom of God. Jesus admired the shrewd manager for using money to aid him his salvation. That ought to be our attitude towards money. That is the idea of tithing 10% of your income to God. Give to God what is due to God. Then do not worry. Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap but your Father in heaven feeds them. For the one who gives will surely receive, hundredfolds, pressed down and overflowing. The tithe is an obligation to God. What is given above the tithe is the offering. This is the only command that can be "tested" by man. Do not put Him to the test... but when it comes to tithing, you can put Him to the test. He is true to His promise. When you give your tithe, you will be blessed. For God surely appreciates the money that is given from want than from surplus.

You do not know how to become rich.

It is amazing how the Holy Bible is filled with financial nuggets. Some believed that the parable of the talent is about "talents". However, the talent is actually a form of currency in Jesus' time. Jesus was well aware that money buried under the ground will not earn anything. Money deposited in the bank will earn only a meager interest. Money needs to be invested if you want to make it grow. Wealth does not fall on the lap of the foolish person. Even if it does, it soon vanishes. This is repeated over and over again in the Book of Proverbs. Financial literacy is needed in order to gain and keep wealth. King Solomon became very wealthy because he asked for wisdom not wealth. Evil people use all sorts of scheming devices to hoard money at the expense of their soul. That is not real wealth. Soon enough, evil and misfortune strikes them. Wisdom is the key to wealth. Creativity lies within each individual. Having a mentor makes it easier. There are many roads to riches but the answer lies within. God's abundance is being showered everywhere around us. But only those with open arms and open minds will receive His blessings and abundance.

Now, if you already know why you are poor, it will be easier for you to solve your problem. Knowing the cause is the first step towards financial healing.