From the last installment, https://imagineering2abetterworld.com/stewardship-is-not-just-about-your-finances-a-holistic-approach/ we learned that stewardship in the Imagineering 2 a Better World realm involves responsible management of our time, talents, property, finances, health, and organisation. Thus this usage is much more holistic than the common usage of the term.
We also read that our financial stewardship concerns us in body, soul and spirit. Soul being our mind, will and emotions. Spirit referring to how to avoid greed and poverty and head towards generosity. Mind includes the skills learned regarding basic money management as well as our mindsets and habits.
Our minds are fascinating. If we have a conscious belief that does not agree with an unconscious belief (which many experts now declare are mostly formed in our early years up to seven years old), we may be stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage. I would add that usually we are not aware of this. There are many strategies to help us overcome childhood beliefs which are no longer helpful as adults. A very common childhood belief is what we have heard our parents or grandparents say such as ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’. Although there is wisdom in being aware of how we spend our money, this saying tends to set up a poverty mentality. It would be better to replace it with a universal truth such as
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.
Or rephrased
laziness leads to poverty while diligence is needed for prosperity.
I quite like this particular saying as it gives both a negative and a positive.
Making vows even as a young child also affects our finances. For example, some of us grew up with attitudes of reverse snobbery, as if someone with money must have been doing something illegal to obtain it. So perhaps a parent or grandparent was anti-rich, then an unspoken vow may be “I’ll never be rich” then with the five year old logic became ‘I’ll never be rich or my dad/nana will never love me’. Life is interesting. Ignorance is no excuse. Inner vows or bitter root expectations are rarely spoken or written about and yet we need to get rid of them or the unconscious self-sabotage will stay. In the unlikely event, that the person becomes very rich monetarily it is most likely the father/nana in this case will act out the inner vow or bitter root expectation and be against the person, thinking they are involved in something illegal. There are ways to overcome inner vows and bitter root expectations. Again, I stress that the response is not necessarily a conscious choice, it may come in the form of innuendo and if called on, would probably be denied. That is unless the person with the unhelpful attitudes towards a rich or wealthy person chooses to make changes themselves.
I see money as tool and also a magnifying glass. As a tool it can be used for building others up or pulling them down, good or bad, be a blessing or a curse. Whatever is inside our hearts and minds will be magnified when the dollars are flowing in, so what is inside our hearts and minds comes out. For example, if you have a tendency towards addictions such as substance abuse, your downfall will most likely happen quicker and be more spectacular. One need only to consider young popstars to envision dramatic and tragic ends. Equally if you are generous and helping those in need in addition to being good stewards of your resources, building your wealth and a sensible approach to spending, your giving is also able to be more lavish thus more people being blessed.
More on habits in the next blog post.
Spoiler alert: Check out the next post for a formula to start with on how to begin to break up your income for maximum effect and break the spirit behind money.