Manage your money like a pro (the 10:20:70 principle)

Welcome to our Financial Matters weekly notes, where we will be helping you manage your money like a pro.

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A QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

God calls us to do our best.

”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

God also calls us to be vigilant with our resources.

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” (Proverbs 27:23)

Just like farmers in Bible times kept a close watch on their sheep and cattle, which were their assets, so I want to encourage you to managed your money well.

Today I want to remind you to MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO.

PRACTICAL WEALTH BUILDING PRINCIPLE:

Debt is a huge burden and many are struggling to keep their heads above water. Many are battling to manage their money well, and find it difficult to save and invest in their future.

It is against this backdrop that I want to encourage you to MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO. 

Now, to manage your money like a Pro, you need a financial plan. You need to know where you hard earned money is going. So, it is important that you set up a budget.

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5)

By creating a budget, you can review your income (what comes IN) against your expenses (what flows OUT).

Pro’s manage their money well. They spend less that they earn, they work hard to be successful, they are disciplined and watch their spending closely. They live within their means and aim to win the financial game. Pro’s are prepared to take a little short-term pain, in order to reap some long-term rewards.

I want to share a simple formula with you that can help you MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO.  It’s called the 10:20:70 PRINCIPLE.

GIVE YOUR FIRST FRUITS TO GOD (10%)

There is a blessing in putting God 1^st with your money.  Let’s look at scripture to see why we should give our first fruit to God…

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” (Deuteronomy 14:23) 

Malachi 3:8-12 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be  room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. ” Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.”

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Maybe you can’t give 10% at present. Then start with 1% and build it up over time.

How does an athlete get back into shape after an injury lay off? A star runner will not just get up and run a marathon. A Pro will start off slowly and build up until he reaches peak fitness. It may take some time to give 10% to God but make a start. You can get into financial shape by building up good money habits over time.

BUILD UP YOUR SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS (20%)

I would suggest that you first build up your savings in a bank savings account, where you can build up a reserve to fund your short-term opportunities and unexpected emergencies that arise. Your savings must remain easily accessible.

Maybe you can only start with 1% into savings. Then start off and increase it over time!

“Take a lesson from the ants… Learn from their ways and become wise!… they work hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)

Once you have built up at least 3 months back-up income, you can start building up your longer-term investments. This is where to can start to create a Wealth Portfolio…

1. 10% is to go into your SAVINGS (your flexible savings than can consist of cash and cautious managed unit trust funds)

2. 10% is to go into your longer term INVESTMENTS (these long-term investments can be higher in risk and should give you the ability to generate real growth over time to fund your golden years.

Once your savings have accumulated to 6 months income, and you have cash set aside for other specific short term needs and goals, you can start decreasing the portion you put into savings, and you can increase the portion you are allocating to your investments.

Make sure than you invest before you spend. If you spend first, you will never have anything left over to invest. If you invest first, you will build a wealth portfolio and you will avoid the temptation of spending money that you should be putting away for your future dreams.  

”…he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)

LIVE ON THE BALANCE OF YOUR INCOME (70%)

I would propose that you use 50% of your earnings to cover your necessities. (Eg. home costs, food, schooling etc.).

You can then use the remaining 20% to cover the extra lifestyle things that you would like to have but are not vital. (Eg. gym, entertainment, clothing etc.)  

Make a start …

This may seem impossible. Start off slowly and build up to this over time.

Sticking to the 10-20-70 PRO PRINCIPLE may seem out of reach. It may take you a few years to adapt your budget. I know it will take you some time to get this right but make a start. Maybe you can only afford to save 2% of your income when you start off. It is ok. At least make a start.

Review your priorities. Pray about it. Seek advice. Set up a plan. It may take some time to build your budget, but I promise you that if you make MANAGING YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO a priority, and if you form some new good habits, you will get your financial affairs in order.

By sticking to a 10-20-70 PRINCIPLE …

• You will be honoring God,
• You will build up a cash reserve,
• And over time, you will build up a Wealth Portfolio, that will help you attain financial freedom.

I encourage you to MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO.

INTERESTING FACT:

If you do not start investing until age 45, you will need to invest three times as much compared to if you start investing at age 25.

The earlier you start investing the easier it is. So start investing without delay!

POWER QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” – Zig Ziglar

“If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe.” – Abraham Lincoln.

“Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10

WHAT DOES GOD HAVE TO SAY:

I want to also encourage you to PUT GOD FIRST & TRUST HIM:

Seek God 1st:

Jesus said … “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” “… your heavenly Father knows your needs.” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 31-33)

Trust in God:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You can trust in God. He wants to be part of every area of your life. He can fix what is broken, and he can turn things around for the better. So, put Him first.

God loves you …

 ^“For God so loved the world (THAT IS YOU) that he gave his one and only Son (JESUS), that whoever believes (PUTS THEIR HOPE IN HIM) in him shall not perish (IN HELL) but have eternal life (IN HEAVEN). (John 3:16)

If you are not in a relationship with God, please invite Jesus Christ into your life to be your Lord and Saviour…

We were cut off from God due to our sin, but Jesus paid the full price on the cross so that we can be reconnected to God. God loves you so much that He made a way for you to become part of his family. He wants to share forever with you.  

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name (Jesus), he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12) 

You can start or restart your walk with God, as His beloved child. What are you waiting for?

LET’S PRAY:

Father, I give you my life along with my burdens and failures. Lord Jesus, I ask you to be my Savior. Be the central part of my life. Today I choose to “seek first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness”. Lord, I put my life in your hands and want to please you in all I do. Lord, please help me to manage my money like a pro. I ask you to please pour our your favor on my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Conclusion

YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO.

Set up a plan and get your financial priorities in order…

1. Put God first.
2. Save before you spend and invest part of your money over the long term to build up a wealth portfolio.
3. And, live within your means. Stick to your budget plan. Cover your necessities first, and then prioritise your lifestyle needs.  

No one is born a Pro. It takes time, discipline, and dedication.

You can build good financial habits, and over time you can set yourself up to MANAGE YOUR MONEY LIKE A PRO. If you get this right, you will set you up for a bright and blessed financial future.

Have a great week. God bless you.

If you found this blog post helpful and encouraging, please leave a like and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section, located at the bottom of the post. Join us by subscribing! We would greatly appreciate your input and support!

Do you want to start or restart your walk with God? If you feel led to, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.