My 7 Financial Principles
I am resolved,
1. Not to take on any debt or credit purchasing, nor to co-sign for another's debts. (Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 22:7, 26-27).
2. To know and do God's will first, and to glorify Him by serving others. Making money is good, but secondary. Most of the profits,
beyond operating expenses and publishing projections in Bouquet of Enterprises are to be given away as the Spirit of God prompts
me. My goal is to be a Generous Giver like God. (Proverbs 8:10-11, 18-21; Proverbs 11:24-27; Proverbs 17:16).
3. God will not let His righteous ones starve, so I will not fret about my own personal needs, nor for this business, as it belongs
to Him too. God will meet all needs. (Proverbs 10:3; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 23:4-5).
4. To be fair with my prices and accurate with my weights or measurements; no fudging of numbers to the disadvantage of others. (Proverbs 11:1).
5. To be a virtuous woman and work hard, but I will try to pace myself so I don't wear myself out. (Proverbs 31 and Proverbs 23:4-5).
6. Although I don't generally withhold information when asked with the right motives, I will not seek financial support or investments,
nor offer charitable receipts. This is a sole proprietorship business, which in my mind, belongs to the Lord God. If others want to give
to me as His steward, to encourage and help me along, I will accept it with thanksgiving, as if send from God. Exodus 34:29; 36:6-7)
These are the fences that guide my decisions since January 1999 when I set up Bouquet of Enterprises as my business.
Additional Thoughts after a Few Years
It is important to me to keep sight of God's Big Picture for my life, and for this whole universe - which is His. We're
on His turf. Therefore I try to maintain an intimate daily relationship with God, in prayer, and sometimes take days off for a Retreat, to
review my priorities and agendas to make sure they are still in line with His - as best I understand them.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the comforts of our modern western world, and earning some good money, but it tends to get us thinking
with a secular mindset, not the mind of Christ. That is why I am grateful for the poverty I have experienced; it allows me
to build this business aright, without having to give up a lot of earthly treasures.
By resolving not to whine and complain about my poverty, but rather to trust God and be resourceful with what I have at
hand, I've become an independent thinker, and I consult the Lord before I make big decisions (even smaller ones), and I believe that I can
count on Him to supply whatever I need to accomplish His will. It has made me separate from even my church crowd, and made me stronger
in adversity - now that I can look back a bit.
While others fight the debt-trap, and fret about loan payments, my faith has slowly been growing; and from asking for little favours of
the Lord, I've begun to ask bigger miracles that challenge my faith, and stretch it some more!
A friend in ministry in Europe, who networks with people around the world, sent me an email from his friend Jacques in New Zealand, with
some excellent thoughts on finances and right attitudes.I've got permission to
share these with you, although I've condensed them.
I have articles on my novel's site related to this topic;
Frugal Life of Faith
Visions vs. Fantasies
When God Hid My Credit Cards
