FINANCIAL LESSONS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME

Money is a mysterious thing, it has such great ability to alleviate our lives, if we use it wisely. At the same time, if we make it our master, then it makes us its slaves, and we are in perennial pain and agony. Such is the power of money. So wine has rightly said,
– “Money is a good slave, and a bad master.”

This morning, allow me to share what my father taught me about money, and how to use it, in a good and proper manner. The role of a father in the family, though not discussed much in the society, is a critical input in the development of a child. Money and its role in our lives, are lessons, that one should teach diligently, to our children.

My father taught me to be kind and generous towards the poor and the needy. There are times when he buys fruits from small pushcart vendors, even though he doesn’t need them. Since the vendor is poor, and they are struggling the whole day, pushing the cart all over the place, to sell their fruit, he shows his generosity, and buys it from them. He never bargains.

Secondly, he does not hesitate to spend on the family, within the budgetary constraints. This made it clear to us, as children, that we are important to our father. There are times he refused to buy things for us, because it was expensive, and beyond his means. At such times, he would gently and gingerly walk us out of such situations. This made it clear to us, as children, that  we ought to respect Daddy’s situation, and obey and follow his lead. The above principle of denial, is not possible, without the first principle of generosity towards the family. They both are the two inseparable, two sides of the same coin.

There are times, when our needs were denied, or temporarily pushed to a latter date, whenever there was someone, who needed this money more than us. My father taught us to be willing to sacrifice our personal needs, for the sake of others, who are in greater need than us. A very critical lesson to learn in handling money, and prioritising its usefulness, especially, when it is our needs that needs to be laid on the alter, and be sacrificed, for the fulfilment of the needs of others. This is a lesson in godly generosity, at its finest.

Here under are a few Scriptures, revealing the heart of God, and the lessons for us, in handling our money. 
– “17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” – Proverbs 19:17
– “9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
– “27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” – Proverbs 28:27
– 9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.” – Leviticus 19:9-10
– “19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.” – Deuteronomy 24:19

My father taught us about money, and also, the heart of God, in loving and caring for the needs of the poor and the helpless. He is a rich man, though not economically. Yet, the LORD never let him down. We were never full, but we never went hungry, all our lives. Our lives were richer, and blessed, because my father and my mother, chose to be kind and generous, towards those who were poor, and were struggling in life. I am ever so grateful to God, for my mother and father, for I am richer by their lives, their lifestyle, and their financial choices.

May the LORD help us to handle our money well, and learn always, to be kind and generous, towards all who are poor, and are in need. Even so the LORD help us.