March 5th, 2024
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s as a kid, I had some of the fondest memories of some of the greatest cartoons after school. One of my favorites was G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero. It’s amazing that even cartoons back then would try to educate our children on how to be better citizens, oh how times have changed! After each episode, a character from G.I. Joe would give a quick character lesson and then end by saying that “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.”
When it comes to a man and his finances, this statement has some very real relevance as we juggle an ever changing landscape in the finance and business world. Proverbs 27:23-24 is a great scripture for every man to remember and apply to their everyday lives. It states, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations." This scripture was shared with me by a financial advisor over 20 years ago and it still resonates today. In his valuable teaching, he gave the wisdom that it is our responsibility to know where and how our financial house is built, to know what areas need attention and what direction you need to send or guide your “herds.” This basic but foundational principal stands the test of time because we have to remember that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Everything that we encounter today, has been seen before during the history of our civilization.
Financial management is a responsibility of the man in the home, even if you are not financially savvy. The scripture says to know the state of your flocks. If you are single, then the responsibility is solely on you. If you have a spouse or partner, it needs to be someone’s strong suit. If your wife or girlfriend is better with financial management, allow your pride to let them take the lead, but make sure that you stay in the know. Schedule weekly meetings with your spouse to go over the finances and make sure that you don’t shy away or shrink because it may be an area of weakness for you. Just like any other skill that we learn as men in our lives; plumbing, programming, electrician, accountant, or physician, financial management is a skill that can and needs to be learned. You just have to have a growth mindset to do so. If we can keep up with our favorite team and player’s stat lines, efficiency percentages, and contract situations, SURELY we can keep up with our own!
Proverbs 27:24 again says “For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” What this says to me is that there may come seasons that “your money may be funny” or “your change may seem strange.” During those times, if you know where and how your financial house is built, you are that much more likely to be able to avert some disasters and weather many financial storms. Maybe you grew up in a home where finances were never talked about besides what bills needed to be paid or hearing the demoralizing mantra, “I don’t have no money for that!” The money talks were not a common discussion in your household, so as you became an adult with adult responsibilities, you were at a disadvantage when it came to the world of finance. You weren’t lectured on credit, savings, investing, 401k’s, the stock market, mutual funds, Roth IRA’s, real estate and the list goes on and on. Even though you may not have been given an early financial foundation, it does not excuse you from taking the necessary steps to educate yourself today.
Wherever you are in your journey for financial independence and freedom, understand that “knowing IS half the battle.” In Hosea 4:6, the first part of that verse says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." While it is implied and understood in the verse that the object of knowledge is about the knowledge of God, it can also be true for knowledge of our health financially and physically. As we live in the age of information and knowledge is at our fingertips at any given moment via our smartphones, we really have no excuse for not having any knowledge concerning most any subject. With knowledge also comes responsibility because we should also know that the mantra “Knowledge is Power”, is partially true, because I believe that APPLIED Knowledge is the key to the entire equation. If I know that a certain company that I’ve invested in is conducting some dangerous and unethical business practices, yet I still keep my money invested in them, I am not using knowledge as my power. Also, with so much information available out there, how do I discern what’s good and what’s bad? That is a very realistic challenge that we all face and that is where wisdom and wise counsel (advisors) can come into play.
As men, we also need to be aware of the people in our communities who have arrived or are further along than we are and seek them out for advice. While we may not have Warren Buffet’s phone number on hand (because surely he would answer), we may have access to a friend or co-worker that is more than willing to share their knowledge with us. There are also many financial advisors and consultants in the industry, but you must also use wisdom and not make your financial situation worse by getting involved with someone that just wants to pad their bottom line and not be truly concerned about your fears or true needs.
We As Men, Inc. is committed to helping all men in whatever walk of life you find yourself in to break down the barriers and roadblocks that so many of us encounter and are trying to navigate through to this day. In the coming weeks, we will explore financial topics from some experts and some principles from us that that will give you more confidence and courage to take your head out of the sand and be an active participant in your financial health and well-being. Be Strong, Be Courageous! Remember: You are not in this alone. Now that you know, knowing is half of the battle!
Reggie L. Carter
When it comes to a man and his finances, this statement has some very real relevance as we juggle an ever changing landscape in the finance and business world. Proverbs 27:23-24 is a great scripture for every man to remember and apply to their everyday lives. It states, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations." This scripture was shared with me by a financial advisor over 20 years ago and it still resonates today. In his valuable teaching, he gave the wisdom that it is our responsibility to know where and how our financial house is built, to know what areas need attention and what direction you need to send or guide your “herds.” This basic but foundational principal stands the test of time because we have to remember that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Everything that we encounter today, has been seen before during the history of our civilization.
Financial management is a responsibility of the man in the home, even if you are not financially savvy. The scripture says to know the state of your flocks. If you are single, then the responsibility is solely on you. If you have a spouse or partner, it needs to be someone’s strong suit. If your wife or girlfriend is better with financial management, allow your pride to let them take the lead, but make sure that you stay in the know. Schedule weekly meetings with your spouse to go over the finances and make sure that you don’t shy away or shrink because it may be an area of weakness for you. Just like any other skill that we learn as men in our lives; plumbing, programming, electrician, accountant, or physician, financial management is a skill that can and needs to be learned. You just have to have a growth mindset to do so. If we can keep up with our favorite team and player’s stat lines, efficiency percentages, and contract situations, SURELY we can keep up with our own!
Proverbs 27:24 again says “For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” What this says to me is that there may come seasons that “your money may be funny” or “your change may seem strange.” During those times, if you know where and how your financial house is built, you are that much more likely to be able to avert some disasters and weather many financial storms. Maybe you grew up in a home where finances were never talked about besides what bills needed to be paid or hearing the demoralizing mantra, “I don’t have no money for that!” The money talks were not a common discussion in your household, so as you became an adult with adult responsibilities, you were at a disadvantage when it came to the world of finance. You weren’t lectured on credit, savings, investing, 401k’s, the stock market, mutual funds, Roth IRA’s, real estate and the list goes on and on. Even though you may not have been given an early financial foundation, it does not excuse you from taking the necessary steps to educate yourself today.
Wherever you are in your journey for financial independence and freedom, understand that “knowing IS half the battle.” In Hosea 4:6, the first part of that verse says "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." While it is implied and understood in the verse that the object of knowledge is about the knowledge of God, it can also be true for knowledge of our health financially and physically. As we live in the age of information and knowledge is at our fingertips at any given moment via our smartphones, we really have no excuse for not having any knowledge concerning most any subject. With knowledge also comes responsibility because we should also know that the mantra “Knowledge is Power”, is partially true, because I believe that APPLIED Knowledge is the key to the entire equation. If I know that a certain company that I’ve invested in is conducting some dangerous and unethical business practices, yet I still keep my money invested in them, I am not using knowledge as my power. Also, with so much information available out there, how do I discern what’s good and what’s bad? That is a very realistic challenge that we all face and that is where wisdom and wise counsel (advisors) can come into play.
As men, we also need to be aware of the people in our communities who have arrived or are further along than we are and seek them out for advice. While we may not have Warren Buffet’s phone number on hand (because surely he would answer), we may have access to a friend or co-worker that is more than willing to share their knowledge with us. There are also many financial advisors and consultants in the industry, but you must also use wisdom and not make your financial situation worse by getting involved with someone that just wants to pad their bottom line and not be truly concerned about your fears or true needs.
We As Men, Inc. is committed to helping all men in whatever walk of life you find yourself in to break down the barriers and roadblocks that so many of us encounter and are trying to navigate through to this day. In the coming weeks, we will explore financial topics from some experts and some principles from us that that will give you more confidence and courage to take your head out of the sand and be an active participant in your financial health and well-being. Be Strong, Be Courageous! Remember: You are not in this alone. Now that you know, knowing is half of the battle!
Reggie L. Carter
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