Value Perspective

Last spring, I was speaking with one of my daughters about my latest off grid project.  I told her the original milking parlor has now become the "Power House" and a new milking parlor was established.

A couple of weeks ago, a grid power line came down, so we found ourselves without power, but the wind was amazing!  Now, there isn't enough battery storage, yet to maintain being fully off grid, but the wind was a definite bonus that night.  As a matter of fact, even with a small battery bank, Adonai provided enough wind to keep the entire house functioning at full capacity, including the heat pump!  All of this took me back to that conversation I'd had with my daughter, months earlier.

As we were awkwardly chatting as that is our established pattern, I was grasping for a topic and that's how the new Power House project came up.  Now in looking back, our conversations are nearly always about what the kids are doing, what I'm doing, and who/what she is analyzing . . . This conversation was no exception.  I told her about a bigger turbine, having the big boom truck set the pole, etc. then just casually included.  "All we need now is a $1000.00 worth of  batteries and we're set."  She immediately interjected that a thousand dollars worth of batteries seemed expensive.  I just dismissed it as her usual disparaging comments and went on with life, but now in taking note of my electric bill and knowing I was fully powered up when the line came down, I feel pretty blessed to have spent that $1000 dollars the way I did.

Now, comparing my expense to her lifestyle, I'm thinking this $1000.00 was an actual investment.  Adonai willing, the batteries will last for years, whereas $1000.00 in her hand, I don't think covers the monthly rent.  I realize things in this world are temporal, but as long as we are in this world, I don't think there's anything wrong with making some investments that will last, even if we are looking at temporary verses eternal.  I'm thankful to have no mortgage and no rent, but my house and lifestyle would not be good enough for many.  That's okay, it's more than good enough for me.

As I thought of being able to switch over to our off grid power and how truly blessed I am.  I continued to see clients, do laundry, and as mentioned previously, enjoy a warm house.  And the great thing about investing rather than rent is the differing perspective on temporal.  Apparently, for my daughter, it's all temporary, so there is no need to consider long term purchases or investment, but from my perspective, rent removes the "temporal" option.  If a person wants shelter and is choosing to rent, that option seems more like bondage, to me.

If I live another 25 years, as far as housing goes, all I have to concern myself with is maintenance and taxes.  If I were paying rent, that concern would be quite pricey, not to mention potentially ever increasing.  Now, as I can afford it, I like to add to the battery bank.  It was nice to know, with offgrid power I could still offer care, comfort, refreshments, and if the power grid shutdown had been wide spread, several of us could have weathered it fairly comfortably together.  Everything in this world is temporal, so why pay for it for a lifetime?

Investing

We seem to have developed a "pawn" and debt mentality about life, in general, here in the US of A.  I've been contemplating a few theories about different types of money management and mismanagement.  Of course, I prefer my own method of management and my perspective of money, but then I guess most of us do, or we'd make changes.  I've come to realize, even those who say they want help don't actually want to change their method of management, they just want an increase in funding.  Fortunately for many, our society has a great many safety nets available, but rather than use these agencies for emergencies, the supply has become a way of life . . . being subsidized is budgeted in, if you will.

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. 

Our Value

Realizing most folks under 50 have no awareness of the way business was done for centuries upon centuries before the industrial revolution, I want to share a bit of information.  Actually, if it weren't for my fellow congregants in synagogue, I'd have very little knowledge of this, myself; as the way of life I'm about to share basically disappeared through the late 50s and early 60s.

Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was the backbone of this nation and many nations, but not everyone farmed.  There were businessmen who created and produced products, but they were still very much dependent upon agriculture, as we still are today.  We just don't realize it because we, as a society, have so distanced ourselves from the basics.  Before the Great Depression, there were businesses that thrived in towns across America, primarily family businesses in which the family lived in an apartment above the business.  Actually, many of these downtown businesses survived the Great Depression and continued to flourish until the Interstate Highway system was built in the 50s bypassing the downtowns.

The downtown businesses were usually family operations that ranged from bakeries to grocery stores, even clothing shops and jewelry stores.  Farmers had basically the same situation, only they worked the rural  land that had been handed down to them, and often lived in the same farm house in which they'd been born.  The point I'm making here, is men did not measure their self worth and success by their "toys" and extras, but by what their hands and hard work produced.   Business people in town strove to create the finest apparel or long wearing leather craft, exquisite jewelry, or  . . .  a tangible product of worth.  They were recognized for craftsmanship, rather than accumulation.  Farmers strove to have the finest crops and healthy herds, rather than newest tractor and biggest house.

Now that our society has become intensely materialistic and entertainment oriented, one thing has remained consistent.  Entrepreneurs do not need entertainment.  The movers and shakers of this century are not sitting by idly awaiting the next gadget.

I've done a bit of figuring.  When the farmers and businessmen of our history made their living and supported their families, their product, produce, and the manners of their children were a reflection of their success.   Free time was considered laziness and extravagant extras were considered a sign of poor management.  A good farmer or businessman didn't owe anyone.  His value was not in what he made an hour, but what he built in life and what he would hand down to the next generation.

For the most part our society has stopped building and stopped investing.  It takes a significant hourly wage to live for the moment!  Quality craftsmanship has lasting value when applied and taught to the next generation.  Land has lasting value, when worked.  Hourly wages spent on entertainment and gadgets are gone very quickly, and soon forgotten.  Life insurance has replaced inheritances and that basically makes the statement: "we are worth more dead than alive."  

It's not too late to invest our G-d-given talents and invest in the next generation.

Assistance

The last couple of weeks I've noticed a real upsurge in requests for financial assistance and spiritual advice regarding money across social media.  Although I don't consider myself to be wealthy, I do know YHWH is my provider, provides well, and I'm debt free, but I am still in this world and like it or not, some things require money.  I'm heading off grid to eventually pay no electric bill, but to do that requires me to purchase a battery bank, and even if I could make solar panels and wind turbines, I can't make them out of air and rocks.  I do know there is a day coming in which buying and selling will not be an option without the mark, therefore; I am investing now for what I think we may need then.

I offer financial assistance in some situations and in others I offer products as a gift, but truth be told, some situations actually need financial management instruction and work ethic motivation.  I do not subsidize poor money management.  I can't afford to!  As long as we are in this world, before Messiah returns, we have to accept the fact that life in this world is not free.  Of all things the public education does not teach and parents tend to not prepare children for is budgeting.  Oh, I grew up being made to have a savings account and tithe, but other than being told how much and when, I was clueless.  I had to learn by trial and unfortunately error . . .

That is why I truly want to help people, not just throw money at them and certainly not judge them.  Many folks have not been taught good financial planning or budgeting, and sadly today there are few examples of a good work ethic.  Knowing, my entire adult life, I had to make it on my own, I really would like to help folks budget for independence and develop a strong work ethic that will carry them through their life.  Yes YHWH does provide, but part of His provision is giving us talents to use to make a living.  It's not about "making money" it's about using our talents to provide for our life and family.  Some of that provision will involve money, but much of our life really doesn't need to.  We just haven't really been taught a good way of money management and prioritizing is difficult for nearly everyone.

I realize any of us can fall on hard times and the economic condition of our country is alarming, which is all the more reason to learn a better way of money management and less dependency on our current system.  I am not advising people to exchange their dollars for silver, at this time, but I wholeheartedly recommend whittling down the number of dollars you depend upon in life.  We have to prioritize and the priorities are shelter and food to start with, then other things.  David wrote that he'd never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging . . . Paul penned that we are to be content with what we have, where we are.

We've been programmed to believe our worth is based upon our possessions and the terms rest and entertainment have been exchanged in the connecting term "leisure."  This nation has produced two generations, going on three now that are of age for the work force, but programmed to believe their leisure time should be their top priority.  Scripturally, leisure time isn't even an issue and a good life provides it's own entertainment!

Time to Stop Investing in Poverty

I have long held the belief that the religious Prosperity teaching began the collapse of the American economy, and I still do, but I now have some insight as to why the economy is not recovering.  To claim the love of money was a blessing rather than the root of all evil began the economic collapse, but we've overlooked the Biblical truth of reaping and sowing when it comes to finances.

How much of our earned income goes to keeping someone living beyond their means?  In modern vernacular, that amounts to throwing good money after bad.  It defies the laws of reaping and sowing.  Helping someone in time of need is absolutely Scriptural, but we have a society of needy than choose to remain needy, and that's against Scripture.  A man or woman can get laid off or injured and need temporary assistance.  Things happen, but when an adult perpetually does not provide for their family, either by not working or by unwise spending, and continual provision is "needed" for that family, not only is that family investing in remaining impoverished, but those providing are sowing into that lifestyle, as well.

Surely by now, most folks sending money to Prosperity preachers realize they are never going to reap the financial harvest, these preachers are enjoying.  I guess, some still haven't caught on, or the next generation of "young up and comers" have changed their schtick slightly, but there is still a reality.  Assisting someone to live above their means will not raise the standard of living for all involved.  It will actually lower it for those who are in error and those who appear to be reaping a harvest may discover the cost has been their soul.  These ministers do not need multi-million dollar mansions and private jets.  Y'hshuwah said he had no place to lay his head and he pretty much walked everywhere he went, although there was the occasional boat or donkey.

Another way our society invests in poverty is politically, through state assistance.  Helping someone temporarily is absolutely the right thing to do.  Keeping someone dependent is wrong, and subsidising someone to live without working to earn is rebellion against Scripture.  Adult human beings are supposed to work, adult human beings that make little human beings are not only expected to work, but also expected to provide for the little human beings they made.  Since marriage has become rather passe, our society has taught men that providing for their children is optional especially if they cohabitate with baby mama and keep everything out of court.  On the other hand, many women have determined that a child brings them an income and even education opportunities with childcare provided.  We can look back over fifty years and see what this type of thinking has produced generationally.  Like it or not, this type of poverty is purely political.  Dependency and slavery go hand in hand.

We also have a number of people investing in the poverty of the next generation.  I've seen it happen for far too long now, grandmas that take up the cause that their grandchildren shouldn't suffer or do without because the parents are being unwise.  Sad as it is, that children pay for the foolishness of adults, it is a fact of life.  Helping adult children in an emergency, is of course, what a parent should do, enabling is another matter, altogether.  We don't even realize how many non-necessities our society now considers to be necessary.  

So much of our society runs on debt that we no longer live even paycheck to paycheck.  Many in our culture are living one paycheck behind, because next week's check is already spent before it's earned . . . People actually manage or mismanage their money, knowing they have other sources to turn to.  Let's consider the high dollar prosperity teachers and the wealthy politicians, and corporate fatcats.  They do not invest in poverty!  They invest our donations, taxes, and purchases into something that will yield a financial harvest.  I'm not suggesting that is Biblically correct, either, just drawing the parallel of money management.  Now, on to Scriptural investing.

We are commanded to help widows and orphans.  YHWH blesses obedience.  Prosperity teachers, most welfare moms, and campaigning politicians do not go in the category of widows or orphans.  We are to visit those in prison.  A number of prosperity teachers and politicians probably could qualify for that according to Scripture.  The best way to help those who are not self-sufficient is to share and teach better money management.  Debt is not the answer and continuing to subsidise poor choices is investing in poverty.    

Time and Taxes

This past week has been very trying.  A great deal of time invested seemed to just explode and implode overnight.  Suddenly, everything had changed.  As I thought about it and pondered the circumstances, I realized, going over it in my mind, seemed parallel to taxes.  Time spent, is just that, spent.  It won't come back, it's gone.  Now to rehash in our mind, too many times, is just more time spent on time that we can't get back.  It's also time spent that will not change the circumstances.  There are serious things going on in the world and a few angry words by a few folks really should not be at the top of the priority list.

As I came to this understanding, I became concerned.  I had reached out to a few people in friendship and others who had privately voiced some struggles and frustrations, and although I thought I was always very clear about what I believe and where I stand, there were suddenly very divisive issues.  I'm responsible enough to know when there seems to be a problem with several at once, I may be the common denominator.    I tend to be a pretty strong, stoic type woman, so when I realized I could just quit questioning what had transpired in several situations, and go on with life, I asked Abba if I was becoming calloused.   

Although I can be a tough cookie and rather socially awkward, I do have a compassionate heart.  I didn't want to become hardened with all the interactive circumstances.  Abba showed me it was not callousness, but a strengthening of the armor.  We use the phrase iron sharpening iron in a rather cavalier manner.  The time already invested in friendship or outreach was time invested in others in the Name of Y'hshuwah and that was as it should be.  It was the rehashing in my own mind that would lead to problems.  By "taxing" the circumstances, we may find ourselves feeling more invested than we actually were.   In rehashing the events, we may give our own contribution a higher value than we should.  We don't know how we ultimately affect the lives of others, or the long range effect they may have on us.

Giving our time to reach out in the Name of Y'hshuwah is what we are called to do.  Responding to accusations impulsively is clearly wrong, but continual rehashing and questioning is adding a tax that is not needed, and may hinder a restoration.