Should Christians Have New Year's Financial Resolutions?

Three years ago I wrote a book cleverly titled, "How To Pray For A Financial Miracle." The title did exactly what I expected it to do - grab people's attention. I can not even count the number of angry e mails I have received over the years from people that admittedly did not read the book, but were critical solely because of the title (some even wrote negative reviews on Amazon - even without reading a single page!). It is the story of my own life and struggles, and in many cases what I considered to be UNANSWERED prayers (AKA God not following my plan). Most importantly, how my own plans and goals imploded and left me bankrupt. The key message - Christians should approach goals with a much different perspective than the world. As believers, our focus should be God's Will for our life. While I do think the bumper sticker God Is My Co-Pilot is cute, a better idea is to make God the pilot and take our seat as co-pilot.

...We should approach goals and plans with a much different perspective than the world. As believers, our goals should all be about God's Will for our life. 

I think it is totally fine to have New Year's resolutions and goals, so let me be clear on that. I do believe, however, that these should be developed not as the result of reading a Tony Robbins book, or attending a motivational seminar. Rather, much time should be spent in prayer and meditation asking God what His plans are for you. When you heart is right, and you are in a genuine relationship with our Lord, something amazing happens... the desires of your heart, and God's plans for you become one in the same!

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 

The World's View Of Success

Tony Robbins, Author Of Awaken The Giant Within, Teaches That We Can Do Anything That We Set Our Mind To. As Christians, However, We Have A True Giant Within, The Creator Of The Universe (And We Don't Have To Wake Him Up). 

I recently viewed a video of a motivational speaker addressing a gathering of ten thousand people. The man truly had an amazing story of success (in spite of grave personal adversity), and offered a truly inspiring message. When listening to such an inspirational speaker, we all might tend to accept everything he says as sensible; after all this guy is "successful" and who are we to question his philosophies of success, right?

His opening line was one that is employed by many success-oriented speakers: "You are where you're at in your life because of decisions you have made. The level of success you have achieved is simply a compilation of all of your decisions and actions up to this point in your life." The speaker went on to say, "No one ever becomes a success if they can not first take responsibility for their current circumstances." This kind of statement is certainly an enigma and a tough one to come to grips with as a Christian. I thought for a moment, could he be right? Can we all just sit down and make a list of our life's decisions and accompanying actions and determine that we have steered ourselves to our present destination? Are we truly just the "captain of our own ship?" "How does God fit into all of this?"

"We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Throughout my career I have counseled hundreds, and through my seminars and other public appearances, tens of thousands. While it is clear that many of those seeking my financial advice had made bad decisions and seemed to me to be at least partly responsible for their financial predicament, many truly were victims. The stories would fill volumes; people who were facing financial loss due to actions of a business partner, spouse, natural or economic disaster, the economy, unexpected health problems, and the list is endless.

"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else." Yogi Berra

How do we deal with the reality that no matter what we do or what plans we make, in the end we can not control the final outcome? Show me a motivational speaker who uses that as an opening thought and I will show you 10,000 empty seats. How do we come to grips with the reality that even our best laid plans can and do fail? How can we look at all of the broken pieces of our lives and not feel guilty and hopeless?

Regardless of the reason our finances may be failing, God offers us a new perspective on life's challenges. He promises to those who love him an amazing gift. The gift is a new tomorrow, a renewed life, and that he will take our financial failure and create something even better than what we could have hoped for in our own "success plan."

"Don't bunt. Aim out of the ballpark."  David Ogilvy

What an unsettling thought that we are not ultimately in control of our own lives. It is, for most people, painfully obvious what they have done to contribute to their own failure. It is also our responsibility to strive each day to make the most of the material blessings that God has provided to us. In the end, however, we can not control the final outcome. Accepting this truth is a bold step, but realizing that our Heavenly Father can turn our failures into success provides the ultimate peace and security and true "success." 

While life will no doubt bring with it a series of good times and not so good times, I have finally come to accept the reality that God's plans are much better than mine. I have also learned that the accumulation of material things does not equal happiness. The Apostle Paul had it right when he said, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:12 -13)

I pray that you will find the perfect balance between self reliance and trusting in God, and that through prayer, your goals and God's Will come into perfect alignment. 

 James L. Paris 
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com 
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
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