Hi everyone! Today, I want to share a recent “tectonic shift” in my perspective on finances. As a Christian, one of the most practical challenges we face is how to view money.
1. My Stronghold: “Dividend Stocks and Pensions”
Until recently, my financial plan was strictly based on worldly standards. To ensure a comfortable life after 60, I established a routine of investing 1,000,000 KRW in dividend stocks and 200,000 KRW in a personal pension every month. My goal was simple: “A stable retirement” where I wouldn’t have to work.
However, as I began to truly put God at the center of my life, these numbers started to look different. I began to ask myself, “Is this just hoarding out of greed?” or “Is this heart of mine unrighteous before God?” This “holy discomfort” weighed on my heart.
2. Preparation Is Not a Sin, But Stewardship
What I realized through deep reflection is that the act of preparing for the future is not wrong. In fact, the Bible praises the ant for its diligence and wisdom in preparing for the future (Proverbs 6:6-8).
The core issue is “Who do I trust?”
- If I believe money guarantees my future, it becomes an “idol.”
- If I manage the resources God gave me to remain a responsible member of my community and serve Him in my later years, it is the wisdom of a “faithful steward.”
3. Moving the Destination: From “Comfort” to “Mission”
While my financial numbers remain the same, I decided to change their “destination.”
- Old View (Worldly): To stop working and live comfortably after 60 (Goal: Comfort).
- New View (Christian): To use financial freedom as a foundation to focus entirely on God’s work and service (Goal: Mission).
Now, my dividends and pension are no longer just a wall to protect me; they are a “base camp” for missions, relief, and raising the next generation. By translating my financial plan from the language of the world into the language of Heaven, my guilt has turned into excitement.
4. A New Routine of “Holy Investment”
To anchor my heart in this new perspective, I’ve started these practical steps:
- Renaming the Accounts: In my heart, I now call my investment account the “Mission Fund.” When the numbers grow, I don’t think “I’ll be comfortable,” but rather, “Lord, I will use this to wipe away someone’s tears and spread the Gospel.”
- Designated Prayers: When I transfer that 1.2 million KRW each month, I say a short prayer: “Lord, let this seed grow so it can be a precious resource to flow wherever You need it most.”
- Balancing with “Today”: Just as I started tithing this month, I will continue the discipline of sharing today, because a Christian is called to live faithfully in the present.
Closing: When the “Why” Changes, Everything Changes
The action (What) is the same, but once the reason (Why) changed, my investment became an act of worship. Are you struggling with financial worries? You don’t necessarily need to change your plan right away. Just change the “Owner” of that plan.
God wants us to live abundantly and, through that abundance, to perform His work. We are all in the process of being trained as faithful stewards.
If you achieved financial freedom, what is the first “dream service” you would want to do? Let that dream make your financial planning even more heart-pounding and meaningful.