Life is like a river that flows and a candle that burns in that each represents kinetic energy moving constantly under the weight of gravity, consuming oxygen, articulating in the language of light, existing furiously; wild and free.
A river seems to amble forever and a candle appears to burn until the wick is gone, but really these natural and crafted symbols can be stopped at any time. The river’s flow could be diverted or blocked completely by a boulder. The candle’s room could be sealed, void of fresh air or exposed to the outdoors and a strong, gusting wind. Nothing in life is certain.
The river meanders as long as it can and people, experiencing the value of the it, find a way to keep this water flowing and productive or dammed, but useful. The candle and its cherished light are kept protected from wind yet exposed to just enough air so as to breathe.
You know what you value in your life: your family, your charities, your pets, your time protecting nature, your career, your credit worthiness, your reputation. Yet when you receive your paycheck or when that deposit arrives, you act like the only people that matter are your creditors: the mortgage or rent, the utilities, the tuition, the bills. However, like the useful river and beneficial candle, you can start by valuing what matters and putting those causes first.
Label seven jars with the responsibilities that matter to you most and every time you get paid, put one seventh of that payment into each jar or specific savings account. Let’s say you earn $3500 a month after taxes. That would mean you take $500 and put that amount in each of your seven accounts or jars. Let’s say that your seven areas are: rent, house utilities (phone, electricity, gas, water), other bills (student loans, car payment, insurance), investments, savings, fun money and charity. You would know that you have $500 to pay toward rent (ideally, rent should be no more than 28% of you income). You could would have that same amount to cover house utilities and other bills. You would have an account to try out investment ideas that you have researched which could bring even more wealth. You would have also created a savings account that actually grows money. You now can go out and know that you are spending the $500 set up so you can have a good time, guilt-free; intentionally. Pedicures, TLC spa days, and restaurant nights are factored in to how much you value yourself. Finally, you can give to the homeless or to your favorite non-profits without feeling like you are the charity case because you have $500 set aside for this important cause.
You are now effectively using your money and giving it value because you are honoring yourself and your projects. This river of opportunity now flows, not eddies and therefore brings you more wealth. Like a candle with lots of oxygen, you burn brightly and become a beacon for others to see. You are becoming intentional with your life and that is what living is all about.
You never know when that 99th sheep will appear before you. I never know.
In the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-14, it is written:
12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 5:12-14)
If someone in need knocked, sought, and asked of you a dollar or if you saw a mother unable to pay groceries, you might turn away from that 99th sheep lost and in need. What if you made the choice to put aside $500 each pay period so that you would not have to turn away? What then? Would you change a life? You may never know. God knows and that is more than enough.
“40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:40-42) You give the first part because the needy person asked. The other part: the coat, the second mile and the turning toward is from Our Creator and it enters like faith into the heart of the seeker. You are simply the water, the light, the conduit being used by God through your generous act to bring them nearer. You do not know the 99th sheep. God does.
You have directed your wealth to help others and in doing so you have helped yourself more. How is that? You are fulfilling the values that you said were important to you. These projects were so significant to you that you created seven savings accounts and seven value jars.
You are the living water and burning light that pours forth and shines through if you will simply create space in your life for the flowing prosperity beacon beckoning.