As I've shared here, previously, my expenses are pretty minimal. I receive questions about financial management almost daily. Often those "questions" are really veiled requests for funding. Most of the time I share information, rather than funds, but when Abba leads me to offer financial assistance I do it. I am an enabler by nature, so I have to hear Him before I just hand out cash, because I've done that in the past, only to realize that really didn't help the individual at all.
As I listen to various management practices, I sometimes struggle to understand the mentality. I struggle, especially when it comes to believers and our responsibility to Abba in the way we should manage our money. There are four kinds of people and it becomes apparent in financial matters as well. There are three types of folks who save. Those who designate a set amount from every paycheck, those who are always afraid they won't have enough, and those who simply don't spend as much as they earn. Of course the fourth kind of person is a non-saver. When it comes to professing believers, I've actually heard some of them say saving and investing is a lack of faith . . . and some of those same folks aren't afraid of hard work, while others have no shame in begging.
I know people who always take care of their bills and finances, but don't necessarily believe in savings accounts or funds. I got out of the stock market, I think in '06, maybe '07, before the crash. I never went back. My only stock investment now is four-legged in the pasture, rather than paper on Wall Street. I don't have a huge savings account, but things in this world do break and do wear out, and sometimes an opportunity is presented that I just don't want to pass up, so I like to have a little nest egg. I want enough to buy a good milk goat or a used tire, if need be.
I've been hearing a lot lately, about selling things that I consider an investment . . . For example, many folks in my circle of influence raise various breeds of livestock. My goats and chickens are an investment, and some years I do better than others, but the point is, I plan to own a milk goat and laying hens over the long term. I'm not getting rich here! I do buy and sell bucks seasonally, but rather than sell a milk goat when prices are high, I figure she'll produce so much milk and so many kids . . . Yah willing, and she's much more valuable to me in production than in a one time sale. I have one milk goat, I paid $100.00 for, over two years ago. I've been offered $200.00 for her, but she's worth so much more than that! So far, she's given me four kids and milk to feed bottle calves, which means meat in the freezer. Usually the young doelings bring about $75-$100 and the bucks at least $50. Right there is more than the $200.00 offer. Then there's all the milk, and we all know the price of beef. I truly do not remember any returns or dividends from Wall Street investments that can match this in a year or two. I know I never owned any stock that doubled in value in two years, while also paying "daily" dividends.
If America returned to an agrarian society, I know we'd be healthier, but I also believe our economy would be stronger. Flocks and herds are a safer investment than paper . . . and caring for flocks and herds means we'd have more exercise, need far less entertainment, and have much less stress! An agrarian society invests in life, instead of possessions.
