Money makes the world go 'round. However, among Christians, there has always been an inherent discomfort surrounding the topic of money. We tend to avoid financial conversations as if it's taboo. This may come from the fact that money can divide us and cause us to unfairly judge one another. Aside from our relationship with others, money may also affect and compromise our values.

In today's episode, Tim discusses his thoughts on money and our relationship with it. He also talks about how we can use it for the greater good without allowing it to control us.

This episode is for everyone who wants a better perspective of money, regardless of our struggles or beliefs about it. Tune in to this episode to learn how to get off the money roller coaster!

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Learn how you can use money as a tool without letting it interfere with your relationship with others, yourself, and God.
2. Discover your money mindset.
3. Find out how to become a steward and not an owner.

Resources

• Connect with the SeekGoCreate Network! For updates and more episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
• Episode Details

Episode Highlights

[03:59] Tim’s Early Money Beliefs

• Alex Keaton, a cold-hearted businessman in the sitcom Family Ties, was Tim’s role model.
• Ever since he was young, he already knew he wanted to become successful and earn money.
• Tim read an article about the highest-paying jobs and found out that four out of five were engineering positions.
• He tried to become an engineer, even if it wasn’t a fit with his personality and skills.
• He started a company while in college and made more money back then.

“Does money control you? Or do you control money?” - Click Here To Tweet This

[08:36] Your Household’s Mentality

• The mentality of your family impacts your attitude and relationship toward money.
• Tim had an above-average money mindset growing up.
• He thought he should avoid being too good at what he does.
• Your mindset is variable, and everyone has a different experience with money.
• Some could have an abundance mindset, whereas some could have a scarcity mindset.

“The people that really think about money the most are the people that usually have the least.” - Click Here To Tweet This

[1:11] Controlling Money

• Reflect on whether you control money or it controls you.
• Those who have the least money think about it the most.
• We have to remember that money is just a tool to exchange goods and services. It doesn’t have magical powers.
• Money sometimes becomes a measurement of our success.
• Our culture wants us to spend, accumulate debt, and do it all over again.

[15:45] Money & Relationships

• Ask yourself how your money mindset could affect your relationship with family, friends, and your spouse.
• A lot of people can’t help but compare themselves with the people surrounding them.
• Your friends can affect your money mindset, as well as how you spend your money.
• Money can also affect your business relationships, networks, and partners.
• As written in Matthew, “You can’t serve two masters. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.”

[18:45] Conflicts About Money

• In business partnerships, people with different money mindsets could have conflict.
• Although people sometimes fight over a lot of money, it’s more common to have conflict whenever money is tight.
• It’s difficult to bring up the topic of money in spiritual places.

[21:25] Flawed Money Mindsets

• Tim had always thought he could just make more money.
• It’s possible to fool yourself into thinking you can always spend money now because you will make more in the future.
• Tim experienced problems with his wife because she would hide money from him in case he spent it all on the business.
• You could also sometimes think you have a special privilege to earn money and that you deserve more.
• An entitlement to money can lead to a lack of motivation to save.

“If you spend your life trying to buy things to impress others, then it's going to be a very empty and shallow place to be.” - Click Here To Tweet This

[26:58] Pursuing Possessions

• Remember that you shouldn’t try to impress other people with possessions.
• Tim used to pursue money to buy more and impress others. Now he lives in an RV with no real estate and low overhead costs.
• Comparing your financial status is a very shallow and empty place to be in.
• There is no long-lasting peace and happiness in comparing yourself with others.

[34:17] Serving Two Masters

• Despite having a relationship with God, Tim felt he still chased money and was attempting to serve both God and Mammon.

“I realized that I was attempting to serve both masters. I wanted to love the Lord part-time, and then I wanted to love money and chase after it part-time. And foundationally that is impossible to do.” - Click Here To Tweet This

[39:03] Stewardship vs. Ownership

• We are called to be stewards, not owners.
• Society convinced us that we have to own the most possessions.
• However, once we pass away, we can’t bring any of our things.
• We only have the honor to take care of things while we live, not own them.
• Being a steward rather than an owner brings more significance and fulfillment.

[42:06] The Storehouse Principle

• Putting aside a dollar every time it comes into your house is a practical application that can grow your financial picture.
• Live off less than what money you have coming in.
• The difference with the storehouse and savings is that you are putting it aside to take care of it. 

It’s not yours, and it will only be spent when God instructs you to do so.

“Understand that there's more significance to being a steward and a caretaker of things than to actually own things.” - Click Here To Tweet This

[44:24] Tim’s Current Life

• Tim is now living an essentialist lifestyle, owning just what he needs.
• He and his wife have few possessions.
• They live a nomadic lifestyle, which is liberating for them.

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To growing and becoming all we are created to be,

Tim