How Christian Principles Influenced Our Family’s Plan

While it makes for nice alliteration, many would tell you mixing your faith and your finances is a bad idea. They might expound on the concept of “separation of church and state,” with “state” standing in for your money, explaining that mixing the two should be strictly avoided. And for many, that’s exactly what they do.

That has not been my experience, however. Our Christian faith gives my family and me guiding principles that help shape every financial move we make. If anything, it’s helped us in the tough times.

But how? Let’s go on a journey together.

The Principle Prism

When it comes to your family’s financial future, one thing that helps to have in your corner is a set of values through which you base every decision. For me, that’s my Christian faith, but for you, that might be through your own religious background or upbringing. While we may not share the same spirituality, having faith in some form does help you make decisions.

This may sound like I’m oversimplifying the tough internal and external debates that go on when one has to make a difficult decision, but that’s not the case. If you know your values, then every move you make is done through that prism. Even the tough calls become easier because you know where you’re going.

Should you make that large purchase? Is it necessary to uproot your family and buy a new home because it’s bigger and boosts your ego? Do you really need that new car? In each of these cases I can answer by looking at my faith and what values it brings to me and my family. Then it becomes a much easier decision to make.

This Too Will End

There’s a Latin phrase: Memento Mori. It means, “Remember that you must die,” and it was something the stoic Marcus Aurelius thought about frequently. I follow a similar train of thought. One of the two questions I ask every one of my clients to think about is, If you had one day left to live, what would you do and say to those you care most about? This then leads to my follow-up: If money were not an issue, what would you do with your life? These are not always easy things to answer.

Your response to both of these questions is viewed through that prism shaped by your principles. My belief in God shapes mine, and this has helped me create the happiness that I want for my family and myself. I have the outlines of our future mapped out because I know how I will react to changes in the world and the markets. My faith guides the way.

Make a Plan

Which brings us to now. While I have a plan for my family, you should form one for yours as well. When you take the plunge, make sure to look at it through your own principles and values. It not only makes the tough decisions easier, but also gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re making the right decisions.