Many times I write these posts with a little whimsy or a little humor to them. Unfortunately, this is not one of those times. It’s time to get serious for a few minutes. While I never claim to be a prophet, I was reminded of the need to get your financial house in order a couple of times this week. So, to those of you skimming by, slow down and take a look to see if any of this applies to you, whether you are an individual or represent a business, a ministry or a church.

What if, we in the US of A, were to go through a tough time financially in the next few months? Are you prepared? How then do you get prepared? Let me give you some suggestions:

• Are you acknowledging God’s ownership of all the assets he has entrusted to you by tithing (the starting point)?
• Do you have an up-to-date will, estate plan or succession plan?
• Are you completely out of debt? If not, what are you doing about getting out from under the bondage of debt?
• Do you have some savings or for an organization, cash reserves?
• Are you teaching your kids, or those in the next generation how to handle money and possessions biblically?
• Is your spouse involved with your household finances?
• Does your church or ministry have proper financial controls in place?
• If you have a surplus, are you helping those who do not by being generous?
• Do you need help? Contact us, or visit our coaching page for more info.

There are those who might disagree with a point or two in this list and we can certainly have those debates. But to pick at one particular point misses the bigger picture – how prepared are you and what are you doing about it? But don’t go hide all your money under the mattress from fear of what might happen- that’s not biblical either. Take a look at your financial picture as a good manager or steward of all that God has entrusted to you or your organization.

One of the best things I heard at a recent conference was a testimony of someone who told us that in order to be transformed, the message had to get through his head, to his heart, and then finally to his hands. In other words, its not enough to just agree with the message in your head, you gotta believe the message, and finally, let the message get to your hands by doing something about it.

Now, get busy. You’ve got work to do.